Immigrants and refugees in North Burnaby have a new place to learn English now that MOSAIC is opening the North
Burnaby Learning Centre on July 25.
The new centre will offer free English classes for adult newcomers and help adjusting to life in Canada.
"The teachers are really excited about this, as am I," said Mark Batt, the centre's manager.
MOSAIC is the lead group but is working with a consortium that includes the Immigrant Services Society of B.C., Burnaby Family Life, The Training Group at Douglas College and HR Klein, a private company that provides government-funded English language programs for adult newcomers.
All classrooms will have SMARTBoards (interactive, digital whiteboards), and child minding is available for parents.
What makes this project different, Batt explained, is the groups are joining forces. MOSAIC and Immigrant Services Society are allocating teachers, The Training Group at Douglas College is handling administrative duties, and Burnaby Family Life is providing the child minding.
By pooling resources, the consortium is able to share their skills and knowledge, while increasing the number of teachers and classes available to new Canadians, Batt added.
"We're getting the best teachers from each of the organizations working together," he said.
The provincial government funded the centre, and there will be an open house at the centre on Oct. 6.
The centre is at 4181 East Hastings St. in the Heights neighbourhood. For more information, call 604-630-1070.
