Newcomer Settlement Services

Our Newcomer Settlement Services program provides various immigrant settlement services, language training, and community connection activities to help newcomers to Canada settle into their new community and begin to participate in all facets of Canadian life.

We offer formal English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and coordinate volunteers to offer informal language training (one-to-one, small group sessions or Conversation Circles) for anyone wanting to improve their English and make new friends.

We also offer a Summer Youth Engagement Program during July and August, with various fun, educational, and interactive activities planned for newcomer youth.

In partnership with the Portage la Prairie School Division, we also offer SWIS – Settlement Workers in Schools, which includes SWIS Workers who assist eligible newcomer students along with their families to better understand the Canadian Education System and smoothly transition to a new culture.

Our friendly and helpful staff look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into the community.


Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

Upcoming Events

Please contact any of our Settlement staff at settlement@pllc.ca or 204-857-6304 ext. 268.

Miriam, Settlement Coordinator

Mostafa, Settlement Worker

Robin, Settlement Worker

Rocio, Settlement Worker 

Yana, Settlement Worker

Emily, SWIS Worker (Settlement Worker in Schools)

Joylen, SWIS Worker (Settlement Worker in Schools)

Maria, Program Assistant

Cynthia, Communications & Events Coordinator

We offer a variety of settlement services for newcomers, including (but not limited to):

All settlement services are free of charge and available to:

Permanent Residents or Manitoba eligible clients, including temporary residents holding a valid work permit or study permit, refugee claimants, Canadian-born citizens raised outside Canada, naturalized Canadian citizens, and spouse and dependents of those listed above.

Please note, if you are not eligible, we can connect anyone requiring additional support with volunteers in the community to assist with meeting your needs.

Newcomer Settlement Services is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. We also receive funding from the Government of Manitoba to provide services to Manitoba eligible clients

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes

We offer Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) for eligible adult learners. You do not have to pay to register and attend ESL classes offered through this program. These classes assist learners to attain proficiency in English required for basic social interaction and also help newcomers find employment and pursue educational goals.

Language Assessment and Registration

Before you are placed in an English class, you will have your English level assessed. Assessments are conducted by professional staff from the Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre (WELARC) and can be conducted by a remote assessment at the PLLC. The test measures your skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing English. The assessment will allow you to be referred to an appropriate class level within our language training program at the PLLC or through English Online.

You can register for a class at any time. We offer continuous intake. However, please bring your Permanent Resident card with you when registering for a class.

For more information, visit our office at 110 Saskatchewan Ave. West in Portage la Prairie.

Class Schedule for 2023 – 2024 (September 11, 2023 to June 19, 2024)

Portage la Prairie
ESL Literacy, Stage 1 (CLB 1 to 4) & Stage 2 (CLB 5 to 8) classes take place at the Portage Learning & Literacy Centre. We may also offer online learning, if required. Contact us for more details.

ESL Stage 1: Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

ESL Stage 2: Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Child-minding services are available for registered students upon request.