All about children's adaptation in Canada
Many people put off immigrating to Canada because they're afraid to take their children away from their home country before they learn English. This is a big mistake!
Children adapt to life in Canada through learning official languages (English or French), interacting with peers, attending school, and participating in extracurricular activities.
Language Learning
The earlier a child starts learning English or French, the easier it will be to integrate. Upon arrival, children usually pick up the language faster than adults — the youngest immigrants grasp everything quickly and lose their accent rapidly. The older the children, the harder it is for them to acquire language skills and adapt to life in a new country. Canada offers federal and local programs to help immigrants adapt and prepare for schools.
The federal Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) / CLIC is a free language program for adults covering all levels from basic to advanced, including professionally-oriented classes, daycare, transportation assistance, and flexible schedules. In 2024-25, the federal government significantly reduced funding for immigrant language programs, leading to the closure of many ESL courses, staff reductions, and fewer available classes. The provinces of Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba were particularly affected, with vocational training and professional development programs being shut down.
English-speaking provinces offer regional ESL programs. Toronto has specialized programs for immigrant children: English Language Development (ELD) for children with poorly developed language skills (including in their native language) and Literacy Enrichment Academic Program (LEAP) for children aged 11-18 who irregularly attended school in their home country and need to catch up on literacy, English, and math skills.
In Quebec, the classe d'accueil model operates — preparatory classes where children learn French and familiarize themselves with Canadian customs and culture; once they reach a sufficient level, they are transferred to regular schools. During the learning process, children are taught about Canadian traditions, taken on field trips, and shown museums. There are nearly 700 preparatory classes in Quebec, located in Montreal, Laval, Marguerite-Bourgeois, and Pointe-de-l'Île. Registration is usually open until the end of September. Since 2024, Quebec has seen a significant increase in student numbers — over 90,000 people enrolled in French language courses, which is 25% more compared to the previous year.
Studying in Canadian Schools
After language preparation, children enroll in free public schools. The education system includes: kindergarten for children aged 4-6 (senior and junior kindergarten), elementary school, junior high school, and secondary school or high school, which continues until ages 16-18 depending on the province.
For enrollment, you need to know the language (English or French), have educational documents from the country of origin, determine the school district by postal code, contact the chosen school, and arrange a meeting for enrollment. If possible, it's worth placing the child in a lower grade so they can continue learning the language with familiar material. PISA 2022 results show an encouraging trend: in Canada, immigrant children actually outperform local students in mathematics by 12 points, and after accounting for socio-economic factors — by 16 points. The proportion of immigrant students in Canadian schools has grown from 30% in 2012 to 34% in 2022.
Regarding bullying: according to official Statistics Canada data (Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, 2019), 71% of Canadian teenagers (12-17 years old) reported experiencing various forms of bullying during the year. Additionally, 58% of Canadian teenagers witnessed cases of ethno-racial bullying, and 26% of visible minority representatives experienced it personally — three times more often than white children (8%).
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According to research, schools with a higher percentage of ethnic minorities often act as a buffer against bullying, supporting the thesis of a favorable environment for immigrants. About a third of schoolchildren in Canada are either immigrants themselves or have at least one parent born abroad, creating a more tolerant and friendly atmosphere. Teachers constantly inquire if the child feels comfortable at school and respond promptly in case of complaints.
Making Friends in Canada
A key part of adaptation is making friends among locals. Although this may be difficult at first due to the language barrier, by the end of the first year of study, children usually find friends.
If a child is in kindergarten or elementary school, parents can organize parties, exchange contacts with other families, and invite children home. This needs to be organized through other parents, as children in Canada don't visit friends on their own until they're 12.
Extracurricular activities (sports clubs, hobby groups, camps) are a great way to practice the language and make friends with common interests. These activities are held at school before or after classes and include sports (soccer, hockey, gymnastics, swimming, dancing) and interest clubs (photography, modeling, web design). For immigrant children, this is a good way to hone language skills while becoming part of the local community.
Summer camps before the start of the school year allow children to adapt faster: they immerse themselves in an English-speaking environment, make friends, and gain confidence. You can find children's camps in Canada through the website Ourkids.net.
If you're postponing immigration due to concerns about children's adaptation, this may reduce your chances in immigration programs (older age gives fewer points). In this case, it's useful to:
- Submit your documents now.
- Help your children prepare linguistically before departure: hire a tutor or enroll them in language courses.
- If possible, visit Canada earlier, participate in a language program, and practice communication skills with native speakers.
