Welcome to the English Online community!

With EO, you’ll be improving your English language skills and learning more about life in Canada. You are on the right track!

Here is a guide to help you make the most of your time and learn effectively with us.

Step 1:

Have an internet-enabled computer or mobile device

All classes and resources are online. You will also need to install Skype to join online classes and communicate to your teachers and classmates. A tip: Google Chrome is the browser that works best for our online classes.

You can study from anywhere, but learning is more effective when you can focus on the lessons. We recommend having a quiet area at home (or anywhere else) where you can study. Having a headset can help with background noise, but this is optional.

Step 2:

Know your language needs and available time

You get to choose which classes to take and when to take them. You also get to decide what type of teaching works best for you.

Creating a learning schedule is a great way to stay on track with your language goals. Start by thinking about what language skills you need to improve, how you want to learn, and when you can study. Here’s an example:

• Jasmine has a CLB 3 level. She wants to increase her CLB level in time for her application for citizenship, which will be in two years. She likes studying with a group but also knows that she needs more instruction from a teacher to learn faster. She works from 10 am to 6 pm three times a week and has free time to study in the evenings and on days off.
   
  Jasmine joined LINC Home Study and attends online classes when she has time. She meets her LINC HS teacher online for half an hour and studies on her own for 5-6 hours every week. She sometimes attends Dine & Learn or Language Circles in the evenings, and makes sure not to miss Citizenship Classes on her days off. As early as now, she’s preparing for the Citizenship exam so she can ace it when the time comes.

If you need help deciding which classes to take, you can ask your instructor for advice. You can reach out to them by email or Skype. This way, you can start with a clear plan for your learning goals.

Step 3:

Know your learning options

All learning options and monthly events are on the English Online website. You can see the schedule of online classes from the Events Calendar.

Group classes:
English Online has 10 to 11 classes scheduled every week. They are held usually at 10-11 am, 12-1 pm, 2-3 pm, and 7-8 pm.

Check the Events Calendar for the month to know the schedules. We also post the classes for the day at 9:00 am on the EO Community Group on Skype and on Facebook and Instagram stories (“like” Your English Online on FB and “follow” myenglishonline on Instagram).

You don’t have to attend all the classes, but the more you attend, the more you learn! You also don’t have to be an expert at English to attend. Learners with lower CLB can benefit from listening and becoming familiar with the language. Do check, however, if the class is specifically for CLB 6+. These classes will require more advanced English language skills. But don’t worry, we also offer a version of such classes for lower CLB.

Group classes are taught by EO instructors in English. Some classes are led by EO instructors and volunteer EAL/ESL teachers.

To attend a class, go to the EO Community Group on Skype 15-30 minutes early for the scheduled class you want to attend. The instructor for each class posts a link to the class that is about to open. Simply click on the link to join the class.

• Coffee Chats
  Schedule: Offered once or twice a week; 10:00 – 11:00 am
  What is it? Discusses topics about living in Manitoba. You may need to read an article which will be discussed in class.
  What you’ll learn: Practice your reading and speaking skills. You’ll also get great information and tips to help you succeed in your settlement.
  Who should attend: Ideal for CLB 3 and up but all are welcome to attend. A class for CLB 3-4 may also be offered during the week.
• Lunch & Learn
  Schedule: Offered once or twice a week; 12:00 – 1 pm. An evening session called Dine & Learn may be offered as well. It is held at 7-8 pm.
  What is it? The class teaches grammar and pronunciation points.
  What you’ll learn: English grammar rules to improve your writing and speaking skills.
  Who should attend: Ideal for CLB 3 and up but all are welcome to attend.
• Multi-Week Workshop
  Schedule: Offered twice a week; 7– 8 pm and runs for 4-5 weeks. The second session of the week is a repeat of the first session held earlier in the week.
  What is it? This is a four to five-week course that discusses essential Canadian topics like Diversity in Manitoba, Digital Skills at Work, Volunteering in Canada, Workplace Communications, and Becoming an Autonomous Learner. Learners meet once a week to complete activities and get feedback from the instructor.
  What you’ll learn: You’ll gain the most essential skills needed to succeed in Canada.
  Who should attend: Ideal for CLB 3 and up but all are welcome to attend.
• Language Circles
  Schedule: Offered twice a week; 10-11 am (may be at 7-8 pm in other months).
  What is it? It discusses news and current events based on CBC Learning English or Canadian Idioms.
  What you’ll learn: Develop your listening, speaking, and reading skills in English. You’ll also learn about current news and the meaning of Canadian idioms.
  Who should attend: Ideal for CLB 3 and up but all are welcome to attend.
• Drop-in Workshop
  Schedule: Offered twice a month; 10:00 – 11 am.
  What is it? Discussions on various seasonal topics like employment, health, and recreation.
  What you’ll learn: Get practical tips. You’ll also boost your vocabulary, and improve speaking skills.
  Who should attend: Ideal for CLB 3 and up but all are welcome to attend.
• Reading Club & Advanced Reading Club
  Schedule: Held twice a week and runs for two months; Offered twice a year.
  What is it? Class reads a short story or a novel by chapter and discuss the stories. Teacher provides homework and feedback.
  What will you learn: Improve your reading skills and comprehension, speaking and writing skills.
  Who should attend: General: CLB 3+/Advanced: CLB 6+
• Writing Workshop & Advanced Writing Workshop
  Schedule: Held twice a week and runs for two months; Offered twice a year.
  What is it? Discusses what makes a great sentence, how to use connecting words, and the proper punctuation.
  What you’ll learn: How write clear and grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs.
  Who should attend: Writing workshop: CLB 3+/Advanced: CLB 6+
• Citizenship Class
  Schedule: Offered once a week; Wednesdays, 10-11 am
  What is it? Discusses anything and everything about Canada. It is a review class for those who will be taking their Citizenship exam but anyone who wants to learn more about Canada is welcome.
  What you’ll learn: Interesting social, historical, political and cultural facts about Canada.
  Who should attend: Ideal for CLB 3 and up but all are welcome to attend.

One-on-one training:
If group learning is not for you, or if you want a more intensive training in addition to attending online classes throughout the week, you can request for an online mentor. Please know that these options are offered on a first-come-first-served basis. They are in high demand and you may be added to a waiting list first.

• LINC Home Study – Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is formal language training done online. It is ideal for those who cannot attend face-to-face classes. Students receive instruction from a TESL-certified teacher and receive a certificate after each successful assessment.
• E-Volunteer Mentors – Students receive personalized settlement or language training online from trained e-volunteers. Get a minimum of 10 hours up to a maximum of 20 hours of instruction in a span of 12 weeks.

Self-study:
Please note that some Self-Study options on livelearn.ca (for example English Exercises and iEnglish videos) are not working as they are being updated. However, we have more than 100 Canadian Idioms sets which include activities and quizzes. We also have more than 600 articles you can read.

• Canadian Idioms – Learn from Canadian Idiom sets on livelearn.ca. Learn the meaning of common idioms used by native speakers, then listen and read how they are used in context. You can also answer quizzes to boost your comprehension.
• Settlement Articles– Read articles on 12 settlement topics. Get important information to help you in your settlement, improve your reading comprehension, and boost your vocabulary.

Step 4:

Participate and enjoy your classes!

Log in and attend your online classes or meet with your one-on-one mentor. Listen and participate actively. Complete activities and homework. Receive feedback from your instructors to improve your language skills.

We hope you’ll have a fruitful experience here at English Online!
 
 
All online class icons used in the “Which class should you attend?” poster from The Noun Project. CC-BY