New Brunswick continues to grow and welcome more and more global citizens, which is why you’ll hear a variety of languages being spoken on the streets and in the shops of the province. But for the purpose of everyday interaction in the City, it is important to be comfortable communicating in English or French.
New Brunswick is Canada's only officially English/French bilingual province. Across the country, English tends to be the primary language, with French a common secondary language. 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 help your children, who will be learning in English or French at school. You will also need to know English or French to become a Canadian citizen.
There are a number of supports available to help you improve your English or French.
Immigrant language service agencies
You will find specialized language training available at the Saint John Region’s Immigrant Service Agencies.
Conversational French and English programs
Saint John Newcomers Centre
75 Prince William Street
Saint John, NB E2L 2B2
(506) 642-4242
The Saint John Newcomers Centre (sjnewcomers.ca)
Conversational French programs
CAFi
67 Ragged Point Road
Saint John, NB E2K 5C3
(506) 269-7924
https://cafi-nb.org/
LINC program (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)
YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick
191 Churchill Blvd and
129 McAllister Drive
Saint John, NB E2K 3E2
(506) 693-9622
Language Programs – YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick
Other language assistance
PRUDE Inc. (Pride, Race, Unity, Dignity, Education)
165 Union St., Suite 301
Saint John, NB E2L 2C7
(506) 634-3088
PRUDE Inc. | We Know Diversity Matters
College programs
UNB Saint John College is the English-as-a-second-language training institute for the University of New Brunswick Saint John. The College offers English-second language programs that help international students and English-as-a-second-language speakers prepare to study in colleges or university programs in Canada (or other English countries).
There are three main English for academic preparation programs:
- The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program: A four-level, full-time program for students ranging in English ability from beginner to high-intermediate.
- The English-Second-Language (ESL) Support Program: A full-time, one-semester program for students who have a high level of English but who need to refine their English for academic study and also make the transition from full-time ESL to university study.
- The Pre-MBA Program: A two-module (two semester) program for international students conditionally admitted to the UNB Saint John Master of Business Administration program. Specialty and customized courses are also available.
CCNB
CCNB’s Language Assessment Centre of New Brunswick (LACNB) is a licensed Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) as well as the niveaux de compétences linguistiques canadiens (NCLC) assessment centre. Their team of certified and experienced assessors provides services across the province of New Brunswick. They are the only provider of the French assessment (NCLC) in the Atlantic provinces.