Newcomers - Vaughan Public Libraries

Newcomers

Vaughan Public Libraries is dedicated to supporting our growing community. Our libraries provide access to materials that reflect the residents of Vaughan. Below is a collection of information and resources that may be helpful to newcomers.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Collection

Our libraries carry a large selection of materials to help you learn the English language. These materials include books, audiobooks, DVDs, and multimedia kits.

Explore our ESL Collection

World Languages Collection

Our libraries carry materials in a variety of languages. Here are the languages represented in our collection.

العربية / Arabic 中文 / Chinese English فارسی / Farsi Français / French ગુજરાતી / Gujarati עברית / Hebrew हिन्दी / Hindi Italiano / Italian 한국어 / Korean മലയാളം / Malayalam Português / Portuguese ਪੰਜਾਬੀ / Panjabi Pусский / Russian Español / Spanish தமிழ் / Tamil Українська / Ukrainian اردو / Urdu Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese

Learn More

Do you need help?

If you require assistance, you may contact us using a method you prefer. Our diverse staff can communicate in a variety of languages. We also have access to third party language interpretation for over 200 languages over the phone, provided by Language Line Services.

Ask Us!

Below are useful links on different topics that may help newcomers. There are organizations that may help with looking for a job, finding health care, settling into a new home, and more.

Settling in Canada

World Education Services
http://www.wes.org/ca/
Academic Credential Assessment Services
World Education Service offers research and intelligence about foreign academic credentials, institutions and trends.

AFRY
https://afry.ca/centre-accueil-et-etablissement/
Centre d'accueil et d'établissement des nouveaux arrivants
L'AFRY vous propose un large éventail de services en français pour vous assister dans vos démarches d'établissement et d'intégration.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/discover.pdf
Discover Canada
View the Discover Canada study guide on the Rights and Responsibilities of citizenship that prepares you for your Citizenship test.

Ontario. Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/
Ontario Immigration
This is an immigration Web site welcoming Ontario's newcomers. It provides the information they need to start their new lives here in Ontario. It has information about places to live, work and study in Ontario, and provides details on how to start a new business or practise in a trade or profession. Newcomers can also download important forms on the site.

COSTI
https://settlement.org/O2O/
Orientation to Ontario - O2O
Information about settling in Ontario and connecting to community organizations and services. Webinars on demand are also available.

Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration - Ontario
https://www.ontario.ca/page/services-newcomers-and-refugees
Services for newcomers and refugees
A guide to programs and services for newcomers from the Government of Ontario.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/live/index.asp
Start Your Life in Canada - Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Information about living and working in Canada in addition to applying for Citizenship. A number of publications of interest to new residents of Canada are also available through this Citizenship and Immigration website.

Welcome Centre Immigrant Services
https://welcomecentre.ca/vaughan-welcome-centre/
Welcome Centre - Vaughan Welcome Centre
Welcome Centre Immigrant Services provide a one-stop service to guide and support immigrants through the maze of information and resources in York Region.

Regional Municipality of York
http://www.yorkwelcome.ca/
York Region Immigration Portal
Information and resources for newcomers on living, working, and learning in York Region.

Language Assessment and Learning

COSTI, Canada
https://www.costi.org/programs/language.php
COSTI - Language Services
COSTI provides many services and programs related to English and French language learning.

York Region District School Board
https://www2.yrdsb.ca/non-credit-adult-english-second-language-esl
English as a Second Language - York Region District School Board
York Region District School Board, in partnership with the government of Ontario, provides English as a Second Language (ESL) training for adults (18+) from basic to advanced levels.

York Catholic District School Board
https://www.ycdsb.ca/programs-services/english-as-a-second-languageenglish-literacy-development/
English as a Second Language / English Literacy Development - York Catholic District School Board
York Catholic District School Board provides English as a Second Language/English Literacy Development (ESL/ELD) Programs to assist English language learners from diverse linguistic and educational backgrounds in attaining English language proficiency.

Government of Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/improve-english-french/classes.html
Language Classes Funded by the Government of Canada
Information on language classes funded by the Government of Canada, including the online self-assessment language test.

TCCSA
https://tccsa.on.ca/services/language-and-skills-training/
The Cross-Cultural Community Services Association Language and Skills Training
TCCSA has been supporting immigrants by offering full-time, part-time, and evening language classes to empower and encourage them to integrate into Canadian society.

IELTS
https://ielts.org/
The official site for the IELTS test
The official site for the IELTS test - an internationally recognized direct English language assessment governed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

Educational Testing Service
http://www.ets.org/toefl
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Lanuage
Official portal for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Provides information for test-takers on registration and preparation for the test.

Vaughan Welcome Centre
https://welcomecentre.ca/english-classes/
Vaughan Welcome Centre: English Language Classes
Information on classes offered by the Vaughan Welcome Centre, including Full Time and Part Time English language classes, and Enhanced Language Training for Internationally-Trained Professionals.

Brainfuse HelpNow

Brainfuse HelpNow provides resources for students from kindergarten to grade 12, including access to live tutors, live French and Spanish language help, an online writing lab, LEAP learning platform and more! An Adult Learning Centre is also available. Get help with High School Equivalency preparation, the Canadian Citizenship Exam, Microsoft Office, Career Resources and more! Available Online

Le service Brainfuse HelpNow offre des ressources pour les élèves du préscolaire à la 12e année. Cela inclut du tutorat en direct disponible en français, un service d’aide à la rédaction et bien plus! Un centre de formation pour adulte est aussi disponible. Recevez de l’aide en français ou en anglais pour la préparation à l'équivalence du diplôme d'études secondaires et au test de citoyenneté canadienne. Des ressources professionnelles comme la rédaction de C.V. et l’apprentissage de Microsoft Office sont aussi offertes. Disponible en ligne

PressReader

Instant access to 4000 newspapers from 100 countries in 60 languages! The newspapers appear in their original format and original languages. Newspapers are often available before they hit the newsstands in their respective countries. PressReader features archived issues up to two weeks, a magnifying lens / zoom option, bookmarks, and full-text search. Newspapers are organized by country, by language, and alphabetically. Note: The Globe and Mail is only accessible from using PressReader mobile app in the library using library WiFi. Mobile users can install the PressReader app, visit the library, connect to library WiFi, and download The Globe and Mail to the app, and then they can read the newspaper at home or on the go.
Available Online

Transparent Language

Welcome to Transparent Language Online, radically better language learning in one complete experience. Available Online
Bienvenue chez Transparent Language Online, le meilleur endroit pour apprendre une nouvelle langue. Disponible en ligne

Chinese Social Hour / 中文社交活动

Chat in Chinese about books, current events, and life in Canada. Call or visit the Service Desk for more details.

中文社交活动: 用中文聊天, 谈论书籍, 国家时事, 以及在加拿大的生活

Pleasant Ridge Library

January 14, 2025 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

February 11, 2025 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

ESL Café

Newcomers and ESL learners can meet to practice their English in an informal environment with adult volunteers. In partnership with CCSYR through Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) in York Region. For registration and information, please contact cel@ccsyr.org or 289-317-3745.

VMC Library

December 10, 2024 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

December 17, 2024 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

January 7, 2025 to February 25, 2025
Tuesdays 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Virtual ESL Book Club

Good news for ESL learners! We offer fun and lively book discussions to build your confidence in speaking English. In partnership with CCSYR through Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) in York Region. Sessions are hosted live on Zoom. For registration and information, please contact LSP@ccsyr.org.

Online

December 12, 2024 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

January 9, 2025 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

February 13, 2025 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Virtual ESL Café

Newcomers and ESL learners can practice their English in an informal online environment with adult volunteers. Sessions are hosted live on Zoom. In partnership with CCSYR through Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) in York Region. For registration and information, please contact LSP@ccsyr.org.

Online

December 17, 2024 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

January 7, 2025 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

January 21, 2025 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

February 4, 2025 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Borrow a Community Navigator

If you're new to Canada, we can help.

Through the Library Settlement Partnership of York Region (LSPYR), we have partnered with CCSYR to provide Community Navigator services. A Community Navigator is part of a diverse team of people who can speak various languages. They can help you settle into your new environment.

Here is what Community Navigators can help with:

Referrals: They can guide you to community resources and services for finding work, a place to live, or registering for school.
Government Programs: They can provide information about government programs and applications, such as Child Tax Benefits, OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan), and immigration applications.
Digital Skills Coaching: They can help with computers, smart phones, apps or software.
Community Events: They can give you information about upcoming events in your community.

To borrow a Community Navigator, visit the CCSYR website using the button below and fill out the web form.

CCSYR Sign Up Form

In partnership with Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR)

CCSYR

English as a Second Language (ESL) Collection

World Languages Collection

Do you need help?

Settling in Canada

Language Assessment and Learning

Chinese Social Hour / 中文社交活动

ESL Café

Virtual ESL Book Club

Virtual ESL Café

Borrow a Community Navigator

See also:

Books & Resources

Using the Library

About VPL

What's On

Contact

Wednesday, December 4, 12:00 AM – 4:00 AM

English as a Second Language (ESL) Collection

World Languages Collection

Do you need help?

Settling in Canada

Language Assessment and Learning

Chinese Social Hour / 中文社交活动

ESL Café

Virtual ESL Book Club

Virtual ESL Café

Borrow a Community Navigator

See also: