Resources, help and advice
for newcomers to Canada.
Events
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Nepean CentrepointeTuesday Feb 7, 2023 at 6:30pm / until Tue, Jun 27, 2023Do you need a casual, friendly environment where you can practice your English-speaking skills? Look no further than the English Conversation Circle! Receive guidance from...
Blogs
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Tue, Nov 29, 2022The Ottawa Public Library is happy to announce the addition of a Ukrainian Language... -
Thu, Sep 15, 2022Are you looking for work? Do you need some support and guidance? The Ottawa... -
Online Resources
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A self-paced program designed to develop reading skills. The program has six levels from Elementary to Advanced, with 10 units at each level. Each unit focuses on a specific reading skill such as skimming texts, reading critically or vocabulary building, which are organized around one or more texts such as articles, advertisements, emails, poems, etc. The program also works on other skills such as listening practice, essay writing and discussion activities. Exercises are marked and scored and readers can track their progress.
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This encyclopedia includes over 40,000 articles and 60,000 photographs, as well as maps, graphs, games, quizzes and videos. Updated regularly, it contains The Encylopedia of Canada, The Youth Encyclopedia of Canada. (in English only) The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada, Feature articles on different subjects, MacLean’s Magazine articles and The Timeline of Canadian History.
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The database allows searchable access to full articles, columns and features from the major French-Canadian newspapers and certain magazines such as Protégez-vous and L`Actualité. News sources include full-text articles from Le Droit, Le Devoir, La Presse, Le Soleil and SRC radio and television. About 20 small Ontario dailies are also included among other French and English language newspapers from across Canada.
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A database designed to help improve writing, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, reading comprehension and math skills at the elementary (grade 4), secondary, college and university level. Practice and prepare for exams like the TOEFL, GED, SAT, LSAT, MCAT, GRE and GMAT. Contains tools and resources for career development; including job search and networking, resume writing, cover letters and interview techniques and tips. Over 150 e-books to assist in the learning experience.
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Mango Languages offers 40 online language learning courses for English speakers and 15 English courses for non-English speakers. Each course has 100 lessons. In each lesson, the students see text and hear dialog that they are invited to repeat.
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Library Apps
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Pronunciator is unique in offering personalized courses in any of 163 languages, and instruction in any of 144 home languages, ESL courses, audio lessons, American and Mexican Sign Languages. Pronunciator also includes ProCitizen, comprehensive preparation for the Canadian citizenship test. Users have unlimited, simultaneous, remote access.
Note:
Through the “Learning Guides and More” section in American English or Canadian English, respectively to access ProCitizen : US or ProCitizen: Canada
- ProCitizen: Canada! With over 100 instructional videos, and over 500 practice questions, this course provides a comprehensive preparation for the Canadian Citizenship Test. Topics include Rights and Responsibilities; Canada's History; How Canadians Govern Themselves; Federal Elections; the Justice System; Canadian Symbols; Canada's Economy; Canada's Regions; and the Oath of Citizenship.
Help Guide(s)
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The Road to IELTS - Academic module provides an introduction, advice and tutorials, as well as interactive practices and simulated mock tests. These will help people prepare for the IELTS academic exam for higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment.
See the IELTS Academic syllabus for detailed information.
The OPL also offers the IELTS General Training Module.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language test for higher education and global migration.
There are two types of IELTS test: the IELTS Academic and the IELTS General Training.
Both tests provide an assessment of four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
The IELTS Academic measures whether your level of English language proficiency is suitable for an academic environment or professional registration. It reflects aspects of academic language and assesses whether you’re ready to begin studying or training.
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The Road to IELTS- General Training module provides an introduction, advice and tutorial, as well as interactive practices and simulated mock tests. These will help people prepare General Training test for immigration, secondary education, work experience or training programs in English speaking countries.
You can run the program on mobile as well as tablet, desktop and laptop.
See the IELTS General Training syllabus for detailed information.
OPL also offers the Academic Module.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language test for higher education and global migration purposes.
There are two types of IELTS test: the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
Both tests provide an assessment of four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
The IELTS General Training measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.
The IELTS is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.
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ESL program that helps students improve their reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary and grammar skills in five levels.
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