What is LINC?

LINC stands for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada. LINC is a federal government program that provides basic communication skills, language instruction, and orientation to assist newcomers in their integration to Canadian society.

Who is eligible for LINC?

Anyone who is a permanent resident of Canada or allowed to stay in Canada is eligible to enroll. This includes:

• Conventional refugees
• Some work permit holders
• Landed immigrants
• Some minister's permit holders

Who can join?

Classes at The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) are geared to eligible newcomers
who are deaf or hard of hearing, and 18 years of age or older.

What does the CHS LINC program offer?

At The Canadian Hearing Society, our program takes a bilingual/bicultural approach by using American Sign Language (ASL) as the language of instruction to teach functional English (reading and writing). Literacy and numeracy, along with daily life skills, are also taught. Our LINC classes teach:

• American Sign Language (ASL)
• English literacy - reading and writing
• Daily life skills, including:
  • Banking
  • Shopping
  • Using the bus, Subway, streetcar, etc.
  • Going to the doctor
  • Housing
  • School
  • Work
  • Basic computer skills

Classes are offered Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The length of the program is geared to individual progress.

This program is free to learners.

What is ASL?

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language made up of specific gestures (signs), handshapes, and facial expressions. ASL has its own unique grammatical rules and sentence structure. It is the language of most Deaf Canadians.