Welcome to Circle of Friends

for Newcomers (Hamilton)

Circle of Friends for Newcomers (Hamilton) provides English classes for newcomers to Canada. We are located in downtown Hamilton at 155 Queen Street North. Our LINC classes provide English language training from Literacy to CLB 5 for permanent residents, including Convention refugees. We help our students find ESL credit programs, how to obtain their high school diploma and other bridging programs in the city.

Students are taught the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Our school is fully PBLA implemented.

We are a well equipped with iPads, interactive projectors and computers. The teachers teach some computer skills as well.

LINC certificates for citizenship purposes can be obtained once a student attends classes for a certain amount of time. Please contact the Circle of Friends LINC Coordinator for more information.

Friendly classes

where you can learn about your new home – Canada!

Circle of Friends will help you achieve your goals. If you plan to to continue studying, we can help direct you to appropriate schools. We work closely with our community partners including: YMCA Settlement Services, Wesley Urban Ministries, Immigrants Working Centre (IWC), HIPC (Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council), SACHA and other service providers in the city. We can refer you to any of these agencies to help you find work, develop your resume and upgrade your skills.

Students at Circle of Friends learn English and also make new friendships and connections. They meet new people from all over the world and can share their experiences with their classmates and teachers. We have regular activities including field trips, cooking demonstrations in our on-site kitchen, and celebrations of special days. Guest speakers from the community come to talk to the classes about important topics related to health, safety and Canadian law, to facilitate participation into the community.