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Summer ESL Camp: Step Ahead Program This ESL Program aspires to help young newcomers to Canada to upgrade their ESL, recreation, and study skills during a five week period over the summer, a period during which many new immigrant students with little or no access to English tend to regress. Many of these students experience academic, linguistic, and social barriers in the education system.
This program helps young newcomers build on their proficiency in English, while developing their academic and leadership skills through a variety of activities over the five weeks. The program focuses on helping students to become aware of the community resources and recreational activities that are available to them, as well as how to access them. Now in its 15th year, this unique program was initiated when school board cutbacks caused summer ESL classes to be cancelled. This is the only program of its kind in Ontario, and possibly in Canada. Studies have shown that older newcomer students are more likely to fall behind in school, and are much more likely to drop out of high school without graduating. This program helps fill in the country-specific and culture-specific knowledge gaps, and supports students at risk with solid skills and language development that make it easier for them to succeed in following years. The free, full-time program runs five weeks through July and early August. ESL teachers and community organizations serving newcomers nominate students. The 150 available spots in eleven classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and the remaining applicants are placed on a waiting list. To date every student who started the program has completed it. Not one has ever dropped-out! For more information, contact: Wali Farah, MLO Program Manager |
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