Free English Classes in Toronto vs a Private Tutor

Good news: if you are a permanent resident or protected person in Ontario, you can usually take free English classes. So why do so many newcomers also hire a private tutor?

Free options in Toronto

• LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) — free classes funded by the government for eligible permanent residents.
• ESL classes at school boards — the TDSB and TCDSB run adult ESL programs.
• Toronto Public Library — free conversation circles at many branches.

These are excellent ways to start, and we recommend them.

The limits of group classes

• Classes can have 15–25 students, so you may only speak for a few minutes.
• Schedules are fixed and can conflict with work.
• There are waiting lists in some areas.
• Lessons follow a general curriculum, not your personal goals.

When a private tutor makes sense

A private tutor is a good choice when you need to:

• Prepare for a job interview or a new role quickly
• Reach a specific IELTS or CELPIP score
• Fix pronunciation that makes people ask you to repeat yourself
• Learn at times a class can’t offer — early mornings, evenings or weekends

Many of our students do both: a free class for structure, and a weekly private lesson for speaking practice and personal feedback.

Curious? Meet our teacher or book a free trial.