In New Brunswick, we speak English, French, or both. You’ll hear English and French spoken throughout Canada, but New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province.
It will be important for you to be comfortable communicating in English or French. Once you learn one or both of these languages, you’ll find it easier to get around, talk with your new neighbours, get a job, and assist your children, who will be learning in English or French at school. You’ll also need to know English or French to become a Canadian.
Communicating in English or French will be very important for your life in New Brunswick. Once you learn one or both of these languages, you will find it easier to get around, talk with your new neighbours, get a job, and assist your children, who will be learning in English or French at school. You will also need to prove that you know either English or French to become a permanent resident of Canada and to become a Canadian Citizen.
There are many language courses available to help you improve your language skills, some of them are free of charge for skilled workers on a work permit and for permanent residents. Sometimes these courses are called “ESL” for English as a Second Language, or “FSL,” for French as a Second Language.
Many immigrant-serving agencies offer formal or informal language training for permanent residents and temporary workers. Once you arrive in New Brunswick, please contact your nearest agency to find out more about your language training options.
LINC, which stands for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, also provides free language classes for protected persons or permanent residents in Canada. LINC has centres in New Brunswick to assess your language skills and find the training program that would be best for you. In French, this program is known as CLIC, for Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada.
Some Universities, community colleges, private language schools, and community organizations may offer language classes as well. Just remember to ask about fees, since these courses may not be free.
A collection of materials to welcome newcomers, and raise awareness of the growing cultural diversity in New Brunswick, is available at local public libraries and bookmobiles throughout the province. The collection includes English as a Second Language and French as a Second Language resources, online language training, as well as materials on multiculturalism and diversity.
For a list of Settlement Agencies in New Brunswick, refer to Immigrant Settlement Agencies to Help You.
Let us know your questions and we’ll get back to you with answers.