Moving to a new country is always a challenge, especially when it comes to the education of children who do not yet speak English. Edmonton has a robust support system for newcomer students, and both major school boards — Edmonton Public Schools (EPSB) and Edmonton Catholic Schools (ECSD) — offer a wide range of programs for children who need to learn English as an additional language. This article will help you understand which schools and programs are best suited for your child and how to make the right choice.
English as an Additional Language Support System in Edmonton
In Edmonton, approximately one-quarter of all public school students are English Language Learners (ELLs) — students for whom English is not their first language. This means that schools have significant experience working with newly arrived children and a well-developed support infrastructure. English as an Additional Language (EAL) programs are available for students from kindergarten to grade 12 and are funded by the Alberta Education Department for both Canadian-born and foreign-born children.
Research shows that it takes children five to seven years (and sometimes longer) to master English to a level sufficient for academic success. Children aged 8-11 with 2-3 years of prior education in their native language typically catch up to their peers in 5-7 years, while children with limited or no prior schooling may need 7-10 years. This is important to consider when planning your child's education.
Edmonton Catholic Schools: One World...One Centre
Edmonton Catholic Schools offers a unique centralized service for newly arrived families called One World...One Centre, located at the Lumen Christi Catholic Education Centre at 9405 50 Street NW. This centre is the first point of contact for all newly arrived families who want to enrol their children in Catholic schools.
When you visit the centre, your child's English language skills will be assessed in four areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. If English is not your child's first language, the assessment will take approximately two hours. To make an appointment, please call 780-441-6060.
Center Services
- Assistance with registration and filling out documents
- Assessment of English proficiency according to Alberta Education EAL Proficiency Benchmarks
- Information about schools, the city of Edmonton, and community resources
- Ongoing support for students and families
An important advantage is the availability of Intercultural Liaisons who speak many languages, including Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, and others. They can accompany you during registration and provide translation.
Edmonton Public Schools: Flexible support system
Edmonton Public Schools has over 50 years of experience providing quality EAL programs. Unlike the Catholic system, public schools do not have a centralized intake center — registration begins directly at the school, after which a visit to the reception center for additional assessment may occur.
Key features of the EAL program in public schools
- No minimum English language requirements for admission
- English language assessment upon arrival and placement in age-appropriate classes
- Gradual integration into regular classes as language skills improve
- Same quality of education as in all other programs
To register with Edmonton Public Schools, you must live in Edmonton. Schools accept new registrations throughout the year.
Types of schools and programs for newly arrived children
Elementary school (Kindergarten – Grade 6)
Full-Day Kindergarten is especially beneficial for children who are learning English or live in socially vulnerable areas. The full-day program gives children more time to develop language, social, and emotional skills, which is critical for those who are just beginning to learn English. Edmonton Public Schools funds these programs in selected schools.
At the elementary level, children with limited English proficiency receive support directly in the classroom. The classroom teacher and EAL teacher collaborate in planning, teaching, and assessing the curriculum. Teachers use Alberta Education K-12 EAL Proficiency Benchmarks to annually assess student progress and plan individualized programs.
Junior High School (Grades 7-9)
Junior high school students who arrive later in the school system face unique challenges. Research from the University of Alberta has shown that a significant proportion of students in grades 7-9 who are not native English speakers lag behind in oral communication and literacy skills. 71% of “late arrivals” (those who arrived in the middle of elementary school) scored below the minimum acceptable standard for grammar.
Edmonton Catholic Schools has created a special role, English Language Learner Educator (ELLE), to support students who are learning English. These specialists work with the school team to teach students language acquisition strategies and build on the knowledge that children have in their native languages.
Senior High School (Grades 10-12)
Special ESL courses at various levels are available for high school students:
- ESL Levels 1 and 2 (Bridging courses) — for students with a basic level of English and/or gaps in subject knowledge
- ESL Levels 3, 4, and 5 (Academic courses) — for students with intermediate English who need additional training to develop academic language skills
Typical courses include
- EAL Levels 1-4
- Expository English L1/L2
- Canadian Studies 15/25
- Reading Foundations A 15/B15/C15
- Math 15, Science 15
Some schools have particularly well-developed programs for newcomers. For example, Queen Elizabeth High School has a special orientation program where newcomers are introduced to the school by peers who speak their language. Centre High Campus offers a comprehensive EAL program with the support of an assistant principal who works specifically with EAL 1-4 students. Ross Sheppard High School has an ELL program with experienced teachers and teaching assistants in every classroom.
Schools with a high concentration of EAL students
Some schools in Edmonton have a particularly high percentage of English Language Learners, which means more experience working with newcomers and a developed support infrastructure.
Evansdale School is a prime example of such a school, where two-thirds of the 280 students are English Language Learners. The school has developed a flexible and creative approach to learning, using visual aids, hands-on activities, and contextual learning. Teachers begin by building a basic vocabulary and then expand it to the curriculum.
Belvedere School (Grades K-6) also has an inclusive environment that values the diversity of students in terms of worldview, culture, language, and interests. The school offers Full-Day Kindergarten, which is especially helpful for newly arrived children.
Windsor Park has about 41% ESL students and at the same time shows high academic results, which proves the effectiveness of support. Balwin School is an example of the fastest-growing elementary school in the province, with 42.2% ESL students.
Ukrainian Bilingual Program
Ukrainian-speaking families may be particularly interested in the Ukrainian bilingual program, which has been in place in Edmonton since 1974. The program offers instruction in Ukrainian for up to 50% of the school day from kindergarten to grade 12.
Schools with Ukrainian bilingual programs in Edmonton Catholic Schools
- St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School (K-6) — 8735 132 Avenue
- St. Martin Catholic Elementary School (K-6)
- St. Kevin Catholic Junior High School (7-9) — 10005 84 Street Northwest
Important to understand: The Ukrainian bilingual program is not an ESL program for learning English. It is designed to develop bilingualism, and most students come from families where Ukrainian is not spoken regularly at home. The program supports language learning for all levels of proficiency, and children who are not native Ukrainian speakers often achieve average or above-average results.
For newly arrived Ukrainian-speaking children, this program can be useful because it allows them to use their native language as a foundation for learning while developing their English. Research shows that students in bilingual programs achieve and often exceed the learning levels of monolingual students.
Support from community organizations
In addition to school programs, there are numerous organizations in Edmonton that support newcomer families.
The Newcomer Centre (formerly the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) offers the Enhanced Settlement Workers In Schools (ESWIS) program, which provides cultural mediation, counseling, and academic support in many Edmonton schools. The centre also offers the SKY Club (Supporting Kids & Youth) program, which helps elementary, middle, and high school students with academic needs and develops social skills and confidence.
Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) offers affordable EAL courses for adults and youth. The cost is $60 per semester for permanent residents and $100 for other immigration categories.
Catholic Social Services, through its LARCC (Language Assessment, Referral and Counselling Centre), assesses English language proficiency and refers individuals to appropriate programs.
The Edmonton Public Library offers free resources for English learners, including conversation clubs, English for Daily Life classes, and Talking Pen Bilingual Kits in five languages.
How to choose the right school for your child
When choosing a school for a child who does not know English, there are several key factors to consider.
Level of EAL support at the school — Some schools have more intensive programs than others. Edmonton Catholic Schools notes that while most schools offer ESL support, the level of support depends on the student's needs. It is worth asking the school about the availability of specialized EAL teachers, the number of EAL students, and the resources available.
The school's experience with newcomers — Schools with a high concentration of EAL students tend to have more experience and resources. As the principal of Evansdale School notes, “We don't call it a challenge. We just believe that all children are capable of learning.”
Geographical accessibility — note that the yellow school bus is not always available for EAL students. Check with your school about transportation.
Cultural support — the presence of intercultural advisors who speak your language can greatly facilitate adaptation. Edmonton Catholic Schools offers translation services in Ukrainian, Russian, and other languages.
Peer support programs — Some schools have programs where new students are introduced to the school by peers who speak their language.
Practical tips for parents
The experience of Ukrainian newcomers shows that adaptation can be difficult, but successful. As 17-year-old Viktoria Lukyanchuk, who came from Odessa to a school in Ledyuk, said: "I was lonely and cried a lot... Once I had a nervous breakdown because I had to use an interpreter." However, she gradually adapted, began to rely less on the interpreter, and found her place through creative writing and art.
Recommendations
- Visit the school in advance — many schools are happy to arrange a tour to help your child feel more comfortable
- Encourage extracurricular activities — sports clubs, theater groups, and choirs help children integrate and make friends
- Stay in touch with the school — attend parent-teacher conferences and keep in touch with teachers.
- Use library resources — the Edmonton Public Library has many materials for those learning English.
- Continue to use your native language at home — this does not interfere with learning English, but rather supports cognitive development.
Registration and documents
For Edmonton Catholic Schools
- Call One World...One Centre at 780-441-6060 to make an appointment
- Bring your child with you to the appointment
- Bring your passport (yours and your child's), entry visa, proof of address, and any information about previous education
For Edmonton Public Schools
- Use the digital registration form on the EPSB website
- Provide documents confirming your child's name and age, residential address, and guardianship status
- Contact the school in your area or use the school locator tool on the EPSB website
Education in Alberta is free for all children, including newcomers. Both school systems—public and Catholic—accept students regardless of their faith.
Long-term perspective
It is important to have realistic expectations about the time it takes to learn English. Students go through several stages of language development:
| Level | English name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | 10 hours to 6 months of immersion in English | |
| Developing | approximately 6 months to 1 year | |
| Expanding | approximately 3-5 years | |
| Bridging/Extending | approximately 5-7 years, and sometimes longer |
This is a normal process, and Edmonton schools have the experience and resources to support children at every stage. As one student who arrived in Canada without any knowledge of English notes, after three years her English had progressed incredibly, and she continued to show success even in high school.
Conclusion
Choosing the right school is an important step, but ongoing support from family, school, and community is equally important. Edmonton has all the resources necessary to help your child not only learn English but also achieve academic success.