Youth Programs
Program Overview
International and Indigenous Languages Elementary (IILE) is a non-credit, in-person program that gives students the opportunity to learn and build skills in a language other than English or French. Students also develop a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and communities.
Classes focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and are designed for a wide range of learners—from beginners to students who already have experience with the language. Classes run at HWDSB schools and sites across the Hamilton area.
This program is a great choice for families who want their children to learn a new language, maintain their home language, and connect with diverse cultures.
Quick Facts
- Grades: JK–Grade 8
- Program Type: Non-credit
- Format: In-person classes
- Schedule: September to June (weekly classes)
- Focus: Language learning and cultural understanding
Registration for 2026-2027 classes is now open.
Eligibility
The IILE program is open to students from Junior Kindergarten (JK) to Grade 8 during the 2026-2027 school year.
Classes are open to HWDSB students and students from outside the HWDSB school board.
Students of all language backgrounds are welcome. No previous experience with the language is required.
Program Format & Schedule
IILE classes are offered in-person at locations across Hamilton and run September to June.
Classes typically take place once per week, either in the evening or on weekends. Classes run on Professional Development days.
Classes do not run on:
- Long weekends (Fridays or Mondays)
- During Winter Break (December 18, 2026 – January 2, 2027)
- During March Break (March 12-20, 2027)
2026-27 IILE Program Class Dates - coming soon
Languages Classes
| LANGUAGE | GRADES | DAYS | TIMES | LOCATION/SCHOOL |
| ALBANIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Albanian - General Audience | Grades 1-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Tiffany Hills |
| ARABIC LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Arabic As a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ancaster Meadow |
| Arabic – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Fridays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Gatestone |
| Arabic – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Hess Street |
| Arabic – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| Arabic – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lake Avenue |
| Arabic – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lawfield |
| Arabic – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Queen Victoria |
| Arabic ALNOOR School – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ray Lewis |
| Arabic – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Tiffany Hills |
| CHINESE LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Chinese Simplified beginner | Grades JK-3 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ancaster Meadow |
| Chinese Simplified Intermediate | Grades 4-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ancaster Meadow |
| Chinese Simplified / Traditional - Dual Language Class | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Hess Street |
| Chinese Simplified Beginner | Grades 1-8 | Tuesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| Chinese Simplified Beginner | Grades 1-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lawfield |
| Chinese Simplified Intermediate | Grades 4-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Tiffany Hills |
| FARSI LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Farsi As a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ancaster Meadow |
| GERMAN LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| German Intermediate – Germania Language School | Grades 4-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lawfield |
| GREEK LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Greek - St. Demetrios Greek School - ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Lawfield |
| GUJARATI LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Gujarati as a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| Gujarati as a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Tuesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| HINDI LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Hindi Beginner | Grades JK-3 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ancaster Meadow |
| Hindi as a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| Hindi General Audience | Grades JK-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lake Avenue |
| Hindi as a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lawfield |
| KOREAN LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Korean - ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ancaster Meadow |
| Korean Beginner | Grades 4-8 | Fridays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Gatestone |
| Korean Beginner | Grades 4-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Tiffany Hills |
| NEPALI LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Nepali - General Audience | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| POLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Polish - Polska Szkoła ZPwK - ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 9:30 a.m. - noon | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| Polish - Szkoła Polonii im. Jana Pawła II w Hamilton - ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Lawfield |
| PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Portuguese As a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Tiffany Hills |
| Portuguese As a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Queen Victoria |
| PUNJABI LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Punjabi As a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| Punjabi As a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Tiffany Hills |
| SERBIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Serbian as a Second language | Grades JK-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Brock Learning Centre |
| Serbian as a Second language | Grades JK-8 | Fridays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Gatestone |
| SPANISH LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Spanish As a Second Language | Grades JK-1 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Brock Learning Centre |
| Spanish As a Second Language | Grades 2-5 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Brock Learning Centre |
| Spanish As a Second Language | Grades JK-4 | Tuesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| Spanish - ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Queen Victoria |
| SUDANESE (SUDANESE/ARABIC DUAL LANGUAGE) LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Sudanese/Arabic – Dual Language Class – ALL LEVELS | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Hess Street |
| TAMIL LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Tamil as a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ancaster Meadow |
| Tamil as a Second language | Grades JK-8 | Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Brock Learning Centre |
| URDU LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Urdu - General Audience | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Ancaster Meadow |
| Urdu - General Audience | Grades JK-8 | Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Hill Park Learning Centre |
| Urdu - General Audience | Grades JK-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lawfield |
| VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE CLASSES | ||||
| Vietnamese As a Second Language | Grades JK-8 | Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Lawfield |
Registration - HWDSB Students
For students currently enrolled at HWDSB:
CLICK HERE to register for the 2026-2027 IILE program year and select your course!
Registration closes January 31, 2027.
Registration - NON-HWDSB Students
For students not registered as an HWDSB student:
STEP 1: CLICK HERE to register as a student with Continuing Education.
STEP 2: CLICK HERE to register for the 2026-2027 IILE program year and select your course!
Registration closes January 31, 2027.
Fees
MATERIAL FEES
A materials fee applies for each student in each class (up to $35 per student per class). The materials fee is collected to purchase consumable items (such as workbooks) for the program. Fees are payable using our online payment system SchoolCash. The SchoolCash link is included in the registration confirmation email.
REGISTERING FOR 2 CLASSES
Students are eligible to attend one class per week in any language AT NO COST, except for a materials fee.
Additionally, students can enroll in a second language program in a different language, ALSO AT NO COST, with only the materials fee applying to each class. For example, a student could attend Arabic classes on Mondays and Simplified Chinese on Tuesdays—all without additional tuition charges. Please note that a materials fee is required for each class.
If you wish to enroll your student in more than one class in the same language, a fee of $200 per student per additional course is applicable. For example, if a student wants attend Arabic class on Monday and a second Arabic class on Saturday, Monday’s class is free and Saturday’s class is $200.
VISA STUDENTS
VISA Students are eligible to attend IILE classes for a fee of $200 per course.
PAYING FEES
Fees are payable using our online payment system SchoolCash. The SchoolCash link is included in the registration confirmation email.
Program Benefits
Benefits of learning an additional language include:
- Enhanced problem solving skills
- Improved verbal and spatial abilities
- Improved memory function (long & short-term)
- Enhanced creative thinking capacity
- Better memory
- More flexible and creative thinking
- Improved attitude toward the target language and culture*
*courtesy of actfl.org
Continuing Education reserves the right to combine, cancel or relocate classes.
For more information, please contact the Continuing Education Main Office by calling 905-561-2190 or email us at [email protected]