International Languages

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International Language registration is now open. The start date has been changed to October 5, 2020.

An International Language is defined as any language other than English and French. The classes are offered outside regular school hours. Students will receive a maximum of 2-1/2 hours of instruction per week during the school year. The program is offered by the Durham District School Board in co-operation with various ethnic groups, parent associations and language schools.  These courses are open only to children eligible to be registered in junior kindergarten to grade 8.  This program is free to qualified registrants and children are limited to access only one language class each week.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, credit courses are offered on-line in a synchronous method for the period Sep - Jan.  Delivery format for Feb – May is yet to be determined.

Remote Learning happens in ‘real time’.  It is similar to being in a face to face classroom within a school – however you will be accessing that classroom through a computer.  Students are expected to attend the virtual classroom each scheduled Monday and Wednesday between 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm.  Live synchronous instruction and learning will occur during this time.  

A child must be four years old by December to be eligible.  No language experience is required.

Frequently Asked Questions 
I missed the start date, can I still register my child for the program?
As long as there is space available, we will continue to take registration up to Feb. 1st of each year.
Is there a cost for this program? 
No – this program is free for all qualified registrants.
My child is currently in grade 9 and wants to learn a new language but has no experience. Can they attend this program? 
Unfortunately, not they cannot – this program is intended for students in grades JK to 8 only. We do have some credit language programs and can accommodate students without previous language knowledge. Visit our Night School page for more information. 
My high school child or myself would like to volunteer in this program – is that possible? 

Yes, we welcome volunteers. Please email the Department Head of Elective Programs for more information - dceinfo@ddsb.ca
We don’t live in Durham Region – is this program still open to us? 
The International Language program is open to any Ontario resident with Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status. 
Program Dates - updated September 23, 2020 with new information

Start Date - October 5, 2020

Mid-term progress reports - January 27, 2021

Last day to register - January 27, 2021 (9:00 am)

Final class - May 26, 2021

No classes: December 21, 2020 to January 1, 2021, March 17, 2021 and April 26, 2021 (Greek ONLY)
Registration Deadline
October 5, 2020 at 9:00 am
Courses with insufficient enrollment at this time will be cancelled.  Remaining course registration will reopen on September 29, 2020.
Registration Documents and Information

Languages Available

Language Benchmarks

How to Register:

To register, complete both of the steps below:

  1. Complete the Elementary International Language Program Pre-registration Document
  2. Download and complete the Elementary International Language Registration Form
    1. Open the file by clicking on it
    2. Click in each field and type in the required information
    3. Save it to your computer
    4. Email the completed Elementary International Language Registration Form to DCEInfo@ddsb.ca

Registration is not complete until the Elementary International Language Registration Form is received by Durham Continuing Education. 

Note: Parents/Guardians of students who do not go to a Durham District School Board elementary school will be required to provide Proof of Citizenship.  Durham Continuing Education staff will be in contact with instructions on how to provide that information. 

Additional Note: If you are having problems saving the fillable form once you have added the information, try printing it to .pdf format rather than saving it.