Multilingual Language Learners
- Are you new to Canada?
- Have you been a student in Ontario for less than four years?
- Are you a multilingual language learner?
- If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you will need to consider the following when you are applying for university or college:
- You need to review the English Proficiency Requirements of the university or college you are applying to.
- Both universities and colleges learn about your academic history from your official transcript and the information shared by you on your application.
- Colleges see all courses from Grade 9 forward and will see any ESL courses listed.
- Universities will only see all Grade 11 and 12 courses, however remember that they will see ESL D and ESL E courses because they are considered senior courses regardless of when they were taken.
- IMPORTANT: If you have been flagged to write an English proficiency test, but you have completed four consecutive years in an English school, where the curriculum was delivered in English, then you may be exempt from writing a language proficiency test if you are able to present documentation to the college or university to prove this.
- If you do need to take an English proficiency test, please be sure to check the specific tests accepted by your chosen university or college. Some acceptable tests are
IELTS,
TOEFL, or
CAEL.
- Please see your Guidance Counsellor and/or English as a Second Language Teacher if you have any questions. They are there to support you!
Students with IEPs
Do you currently have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)?
- If so, you are encouraged to reach out to the Special Education Services Department at your chosen university or college once you have accepted an offer or during the summer before you begin your studies at the latest.
- If you received accommodations in secondary school, post-secondary institutions will continue to work with you to help you to reach your goals and support you in your learning. They will have processes you need to follow to receive that support.
- It will take time to determine which accommodations you will need to receive and what documents are needed, so that you are set for your September start.
- It is important that you self-identify and advocate for yourself. Your HDSB Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) can help you with your transition from secondary school to your post-secondary destination. They can provide you with advice and work with you and your family to ensure that your most recent IEP and related documentation is ready to share with the post-secondary institution.
Note: Most universities and colleges prefer that your Psychoeducational Report was completed within three years of starting at their institution. Be sure to check with the institutions you are applying to to find out their expectations and process.
Explore - HDSB Guide to Post Secondary