(Updated) Free English Conversation Circles – A Comprehensive Listing
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English Conversation Circles are a free resource for all refugees and newcomers to take advantage of to practice their English skills, make social connections and learn about Canadian culture. For those eligible for LINC, this is a great supplemental resource and for those not eligible for LINC (for example Refugee Claimants who are awaiting a decision on their case), this is a great resource to begin learning and enhancing English skills until PR status is received and they become eligible for LINC classes.
For more information on the LINC program for newcomers and eligibility criteria, click here.
The following is a comprehensive listing of English Conversation Circles available as of July 20, 2020.
NOTE: some activities may have switch to online due to COVID-19 – check with each organization before attending.
Free English Conversation Circles for Refugee Claimants
ISSofBC – Settlement Orientation Services (SOS):
Details:
- Specifically designed for refugee claimants
- Date / Time: Every Saturday from 1pm-3pm
- Location: ISSofBC Welcome Centre – 2610 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC
- All levels welcome
- Drop ins welcome. No registration needed. Free to all participants.
- View poster for more info – Click here
MOSAIC:
Details:
- All Refugee Claimants welcome!
- Dates: June 16 – July 28, 2020
- Time: Every Tuesday – 11am to 12pm.
- Location: Online
- Farsi language support
- Participants can attend even if they are still waiting for their ID
- Contact Parisa via email at [email protected] if you have any questions.
- Poster – English
English Conversation Circles for All Newcomers & Refugees
Agassiz-Harrison
Agassiz-Harrison Community Services
Abbotsford:
Burnaby:
Burnaby Local Immigration Partnership – Resource listing from a variety of organizations with specialized ESL and English Conversation programming
Burnaby Public Libraries – Multiple locations
Campbell River
Campbell River Community Literacy Association
Immigrant Welcome Centre – Campbell River Office
Chilliwack:
Chilliwack Community Services:
- Conversation Circles
- Tuesday & Thursday: 12:15 – 2pm at Chilliwack Community Services – 9214 Mary Street
- Monday :7:00pm – 8:30pm at Chilliwack Library – 45860 First Avenue
- Wednesday: 7:00pm – 8:30pm at Sardis Library – 5745 Tyson Road
- Rosetta Stone & Computer Drop-in
- Monday: 12:15 – 2:30pm at 9214 Mary Street
Comox:
Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Centre
Courtenay:
Immigrant Welcome Centre – Courtenay Office
Delta:
City of Delta – Free programs and activities listings, including Conversation Circles, ESL Book Clubs and settlement support
Experience Delta – Listings of conversations circles
Kamloops:
Kelowna:
Okanagan Regional Library – English Corner
Okanagan College – Kelowna: One-on-one free tutoring service for English skills
Project Literacy – Central Okanagan Society
Langley:
Encompass Support Services Society – Listing of all Langley Adult Literacy Programs and Activities including Free English Conversation Circles
Langley Community Services Society
Mission:
Mission Community Services: Let’s Talk – English Practice Sessions
Nanaimo:
Literacy Central Vancouver Island
New Westminster:
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
New Westminster Public Library – Listings of conversations circles
North Vancouver:
North Vancouver District Public Library
North Shore Multicultural Society
Penticton:
Okanagan College – Penticton: One-on-one free tutoring service for English skills
Pemberton:
Pemberton & District Public Library
Revelstoke:
Okanagan College – Revelstoke Centre
Richmond:
Richmond Multicultural Community Services – Multiple circles on different themes and topics
Salmon Arm:
Smithers:
Smithers Community Services Association – Weekly Group on Saturdays from 10:00 – 11:30am at Lalazar Café in Smithers. Contact Petra Kost: 250.847.9515 ext. 2012 / [email protected]
Squamish:
Squamish Immigrant Settlement Services & Welcome Centre
Surrey:
ISSofBC Surrey Welcome Centre – Variety of levels
MOSAIC – Variety of circles
Umoja Operation Compassion Society
Get in the Know – Resource listing from a variety of organizations with specialized ESL and English Conversation programming
Surrey Public Library – Variety of activities and resources for newcomers & Education/ESL and Citizenship program listings
Tri-Cities:
ISSofBC – Multiple Locations: Lincoln & Cottonwood
Terry Fox Library – Port Coquitlam
Vancouver:
Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS)
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House
Vancouver School Board – High School level English Language classes and other subjects
Vancouver Public Library – Multiple Locations and listings guide of settlement language services
NewToBC – The Library Link for Newcomers: List of English Services for Newcomers. Includes LINC classes and English Conversation Circles
Vernon:
Okanagan College – Vernon: One-on-one free tutoring service for English skills
Vernon and District Immigrant Services Society
Victoria:
West Vancouver:
West Vancouver Public Library – Variety of online and in-person resources including English Conversation Circles and Book Clubs
Whistler:
White Rock:
If we have missed an English Conversation Circle or Group that you would like added to this list, please email us at [email protected]g
