Permanent Residents (PRs) - LINC Classes & the STEP Language Program are free for most Permanent Residents.  For more details on PRs, please see the VIS Service Eligibility. Temporary Residents who have already been accepted in a program for Permanent Residence, such as RCIP, PNP, Sponsorship – Free (limited space available)Naturalized Canadian Citizens – Specific eligibility can be determined by meeting with a settlement worker (limited space available) All other clients (including visitors and international students) – fees apply – Please contact the office for further information. (limited space available) If you are unsure about your eligibility or fees, please contact our office and we will be happy to help.

Yes!  While priority is given to residents of Vernon and surrounding areas, we accept students from all across BC if there is space available.  Students may attend fully online via Zoom, fully in person, or a combination of the two, depending on their location and availability.

You should make your best effort to attend all classes and complete all the activities for the best result.  That said, if you must miss a class (for example, if you are sick), you must let your teacher know before the class starts.

Support for Permanent Residents such as free childcare (ages 3 – 5) for daytime classes or transportation assistance may be available depending on funding and availability. If you are not eligible for free support, you may still be able to access daycare for daytime classes for a fee if there is space.  Please contact the office for details. Digital Supports – If you need help using a computer to access the classes, we are here to help.  You can book an appointment to get help with Zoom, Avenue, or just general computer use.  Appointments can be done in person or via Zoom.

Online Assessments can only be completed on a Windows computer with a working camera, microphone and speakers/headset.Lessons via Zoom are best viewed on a laptop but a tablet or smart phone may also be possible, but due to the size of the screen, it may be difficult to see everything.  Participating in breakout rooms and working on assignments will be much more challenging than working from a laptop.Self-Directed online lessons (Avenue) are also best completed on a laptop.  Completing the lessons on a tablet is possible, but not on smartphones. Activities often produce error messages or are difficult to see/navigate from a smartphone.  We offer drop-in sessions most Fridays when you can come to the office to borrow a laptop, use the WiFi, or get extra help with Avenue lessons.

LINC Certificates – LINC uses PBLA (Portfolio-Based Language Assessment as an approach to assessing language skills through the collection of work samples called artefacts. Upon completing a portfolio in a skill, learners are eligible to receive a LINC Certificate (CLB 1 – 4). As of September 2026, IRCC is no longer funding Stage 2 LINC (CLB 5 – 8) anywhere in Canada. STEP Certificates - There are two types of certificates: Certificate of Participation and Certificate of Progress.  If you complete a module, you will be eligible for a Certificate of Participation.  If you progress to the next CLB, you will also receive a STEP Certificate of Progress.  Certificates are issued at the end of each term and may be used for personal records or to show progress to employers.  STEP certificates cannot be used to apply for Canadian citizenship.