Alizon Thuot  Literacy Teacher
Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

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“OCISO has a language school that’s funded by the federal government. We have 3 literacy classes, 6 Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), and 2 evening classes. We also offer child care.

The process of teaching a person who is not literate is very lengthy and it involves a lot of hands-on manipulatives, visuals and all kinds of additional support. You have to start with the letters themselves, then how the letters make the sounds and finally how it all goes together as meaning. It takes a very long time. It takes a lot of patience.

I could see the students’ comfort level rise as the weeks went on.

I could see the students’ comfort level rise as the weeks went on. It’s a very overwhelming process to have to go through. I enjoyed seeing their confidence grow, being able to do various tasks, from shopping to cooking, to all kinds of everyday things that we do that were brand new for them in this culture.

I think what stood out to me last year were the little things that many people did for our students. A group called Soup Sisters prepared hundreds of litres of soup and brought them to our students as a ‘Welcome to Canada’ present. Many people dropped off household goods. And the sponsors of students, they really enveloped the families and wanted to show them all of what they could in the Canadian experience.

It was heartwarming to see the compassion of the citizens of Ottawa and how they banded together to do many little things for the Syrian refugees. The refugees, they’re here for their children. They see their children progressing so quickly. And they know their children are going to be ok. But many would rather be in their own country. It’s hard. There are sad sides as well, for sure. But mostly I just saw gratitude and happiness and resilience.”

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Before being referred to LINC classes, newcomers visit the Y Language Assessment and Resource Centre (LARC). Ottawa also has conversation circles and tutoring programs that provide in-home support to newcomers. These are just a few examples:

Community Connections Program, CCI
English Language Tutoring for the Ottawa Community
Ottawa Public Library