Canada is the second largest country in the world with only 38 million people. Among the more than 200 global and some 60 or more native tongues spoken here, English and French are dominant for work, education and society, as Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, and Spanish grow with the newcomers Canada welcomes every year.

Immigrants are encouraged to be able to speak English or French before arriving. However, opportunities to learn and improve language skills are abundant from both private and public institutions. In this diversity-celebrating country, career and education advancement is most successful when you can speak Canada’s official languages.

From the Maritimes in the east to British Columbia’s west coast, and many places in between, you can learn English or French while working or take language courses to prepare for a university or college program.

There are 225 accredited language schools in Canada, many of which you can find here. Meanwhile, here are some highly rated schools located in Canada’s three largest cities:

Montreal, Quebec

ILSC Montreal helps language students improve their lives through conversation, culture and connection. 

McGill University is highly reputable and offers smaller classroom sessions for improving oral and written communications, as well as confidence and leadership skills.

CLAM offers free Francisation course funded by the province’s immigration branch. The program welcomes all newcomers who wish to improve their level of French.

Toronto, Ontario

Queen’s Collegiate is one of the most trusted language schools in Canada. Certified by Languages Canada, it offers a wide range of classes to students of different levels. 

International Language Academy of Canada is accredited by the education industry and one of the world’s most diverse schools to learn English in Canada. 

English Lab Toronto, part of Yorkville University, is one of the best-known ESL schools in Toronto, featuring unique, one-to-one teaching methods and job interview training.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Languages Across Borders is an award-winning school whose curriculum is designed to balance conversational and academic English.

International House features small, 10-student classes that ensures individual attention and active participation to help students converse easily with English speakers.

Tamwood International College helps improve English skills through personalized learning in small classes with highly trained teachers who have international experiences.

Language is important everywhere in the world, and even more so in a country as diverse and multicultural as Canada. Making the most of your life back in your home country or in this vast land of opportunity begins with learning how to communicate with your future fellow Canadians and the rest of the world.