Melanie McVeety, ESL Teacher with the Near North District School Board provided an overview of the program. Ten students and two volunteers also were in attendance. 

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program is free for immigrants and to those Canadians whose mother tongue is not English. Adult students may register and begin classes at any time during the school year (September - June). This is a very flexible program offered to adults. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of each student whether at the beginning, intermediate or advanced level. The personal approach to education, combined with a balance between academics, social skills, Canadian culture and Canadian language development, will prepare the learner for future academic studies, employment and living in Canada. This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Immigration (MCI). For ESL students that do not qualify under MCI, a fee for service is possible dependant of enrolment.
 

The local program was originally located at Chippewa Secondary School and recently moved to the Laurentian Learning Centre.

The number of students in the program at any given time averages around 40 students, from up to 19 different countries. This poses some  challenges for the program's  one teacher, over and above dealing with students at different levels in their language skills. This is where having a core of volunteers to help out with small groups and one-on-one sessions is key. Anyone interested in volunteering for an hour or more a week is more than welcome to contact Melanie at melanie.mcveety@nearnorthschools.ca. Besides volunteering in the classroom, there is an opportunity to assist with field trips geared towards giving the students the opportunity to experience all things Canadian - such as sugar bush operations.

The program works very closely with the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre.