Indigenous Languages and International Languages - Elementary Programs

Online registration is now closed for in-person learning for Fall 2023-2024.

Registration is available, in-person, at each ILIL program site, during ILIL program hours. Spaces and registration is limited to availability.


Students in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8 can learn to read, write and speak a new language or maintain their heritage language. Please note that no experience is necessary in a language to enrol in our programs. More than 20 different language courses are available.

Please Note:

  • Courses offered are subject to enrolment and teacher availability. 
  • Stacked classes may be created based on registration numbers.

Additional fees are required for international fee-paying visa students.


Registration Information

Time is required to process the registration. Depending on enrolment numbers, classes may require rebalancing.

Once the class placement is confirmed a confirmation will be sent to the parent/guardian outlining classroom details.

Students may attend class only after the confirmation email is received and must bring the confirmation email to class on the start date. 

Classes take place once a week, for 2.5 hours. 

Important site location information can be found in the Site Calendar.

First Day of ClassDay of ClassClass Time
September 29Friday6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
September 30Saturday9:30 am to 12:00 pm (all classes)
9:00 am to 11:30 am Markville SS, Mandarin Simplified 
October 3Tuesday6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
October 4Wednesday6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
October 5Thursday6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

The program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education. 

A $20.00 consumable and resource fee is collected. 

International fee-paying visa students are required to pay the $20 consumable fee plus $225 for a total of $245.

Transfer Policy

  • Once payment is completed, any changes made to the registration before the start of the program will require a $5.00 administration fee.

After the start of the program:

  • No refunds are issued after the start of the program
  • Should you choose to transfer to another program location, your registration will be canceled and you will need to re-register on Edsby and pay the applicable fee.

Refund Policy

  • No refund will be issued after the start of the program.
  • A full refund, less a $5.00 administration fee will be applied if a refund is requested before the start of the program.

Elementary school-aged children (SK to Grade 8). Students must be age 5 before December 31 (proof of age is required).

Registration is available throughout the the school year.

In-person Classes

Online registration is now closed for Fall 2023-2024.

In-person registration is available at ILIL program sites during ILIL program hours only. Day school staff are not able to accept ILIL program registrations since the ILIL program runs separately from day school.

To register, please do the following:

  1. View list of ILIL location, class days and times (below).
  2. Visit the ILIL location during operating hours to confirm availability. 
  3. If space is available, you will be asked to complete the online payment of $20 via SchoolCash.net. Cash and cheques are not accepted. 

What you will need:

  • If available, the student’s Ontario Education Number (OEN). This can be found on the student’s report card.

Online Classes:

If you are interested in registering for one of the ILIL remote/online classes, connect with the ILIL office by email at ILIL@yrdsb.ca to inquire about availability. Please include the following information:

  • day of remote/online class
  • language
  • grade of the student

Indigenous Languages

LocationDay of ClassClass Time
RemoteFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM

To preserve this language, this program will be taught in an online format to better accommodate the teacher and students who will be joining the course from across our school board. We also recognize that students join this program from across the province. Classes occur online using a synchronous and asynchronous model, with check-in opportunities with the teacher. Families will be contacted with updates as necessary.

International Languages

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
ArabicRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
ArabicSir William Mulock SSNewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
ArabicMilliken Mills SSMarkhamFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
CantonesePierre Elliott Trudeau H.S.MarkhamTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseSir William Mulock S.S.NewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseStouffville D.S.S.StouffvilleTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseUnionville H.S.UnionvilleTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseMiddlefield C.I.MarkhamThursday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseMarkville SSMarkhamFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseMilliken Mills H.S.UnionvilleFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseTommy Douglas SSWoodbridgeFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseUnionville H.S.UnionvilleFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
CantoneseBayview S.S.Richmond HillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
CantoneseMarkville S.S.MarkhamSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
DariRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
FarsiRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
FarsiSir William Mulock S.S.NewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
FarsiDr. Bette Stephenson CFLRichmond HillWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
FarsiRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
FarsiRichmond Hill H.S.Richmond HillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
FrasiThornlea S.S.ThornhillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
FilipinoRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
GermanRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
GreekRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
GreekSir William Mulock SSNewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
GreekUnionville HSMarkhamTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
GujaratiRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
HebrewRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
HebrewStephen Lewis S.S.ThornhillWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
HindiRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
HindiMiddlefield CIMarkhamSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
ItalianRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
JapaneseRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
JapaneseUnionville H.S.UnionvilleTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
JapaneseRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
JapaneseThornlea SSThornhillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
KoreanRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
KoreanSir William Mulock S.S.NewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
KoreanDr. Bette Stephenson CFLRichmond HillWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
KoreanRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
MandarinUnionville HSUnionvilleSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
MandarinRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

A Mandarin program where instructors teach Traditional writing script and also focus on Simplified writing script, however, please note these classes are subject to instructor availability.

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
Mandarin - SimplifiedNewmarket H.S.NewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedPierre Elliott Trudeau H.S.MarkhamTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedStouffville D.S.S.StouffvilleTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedUnionville H.S.UnionvilleTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedBur Oak S.S.MarkhamWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedDr. Bette Stephenson CFLRichmond HillWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedPierre Elliott Trudeau H.S.MarkhamWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedStephen Lewis S.S.ThornhillWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedMiddlefield C.I.MarkhamThursday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedBayview S.S.Richmond HillFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedMarkville SSMarkhamFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedMilliken Mills H.S.UnionvilleFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedTommy Douglas S.S.WoodbridgeFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedUnionville H.S.UnionvilleFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedBayview S.S.Richmond HillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedMarkville S.S.MarkhamSaturday9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Mandarin - SimplifiedMiddlefield C.I.MarkhamSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedRichmond Hill H.S.Richmond HillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Mandarin - SimplifiedThornlea S.S.ThornhillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
Mandarin - TraditionalRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - TraditionalBayview S.S.Richmond HillFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - TraditionalUnionville H.S.UnionvilleFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Mandarin - TraditionalBayview S.S.Richmond HillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Mandarin - TraditionalMiddlefield C.I.MarkhamSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
PunjabiRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
PunjabiTommy Douglas S.S.WoodbridgeFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
RussianRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
RussianRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Russian Newmarket H.S.NewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Russian Dr. Bette Stephenson CFLRichmond HillWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Russian Stephen Lewis S.S.ThornhillWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
Russian Richmond Hill H.S.Richmond HillSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
SinhalaRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
SpanishRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
SpanishSir William Mulock S.S.NewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
SpanishStouffville D.S.S.StouffvilleTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
SpanishRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
SpanishStephen Lewis SSThornhillWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
SpanishMiddlefield C.I.MarkhamSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
TamilNewmarket H.S.NewmarketTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
TamilRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
TamilStouffville D.S.S.StouffvilleTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
TamilBur Oak S.S.MarkhamWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
TamilRemoteOnlineWednesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
TamilMiddlefield C.I.MarkhamThursday6:00 to 8:30 PM
TamilTommy Douglas S.S.WoodbridgeFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM
TamilMiddlefield C.I.MarkhamSaturday9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
TurkishRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
UkrainianRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
UrduRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM

Urdu

Tommy Douglas SSWoodbridge

Friday

6:00 to 8:30 PM

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
VietnameseRemoteOnlineTuesday6:00 to 8:30 PM
VietnameseTommy Douglas SSWoodbridgeFriday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

LanguageLocationAreaDay of ClassTime of Class
YorubaRemoteOnlineThursday6:00 to 8:30 PM

 

As the language course is new to the program, to better support its development, it will be taught in a fully online format. Online learning does not require students and teachers to be face-to-face with each other. Classes occur online using a synchronous and asynchronous model, with check-in opportunities with the teacher. Families will be contacted with updates as necessary.

Google Classrooms

Please note that all ILIL teaching staff will continue to be used as a supplementary instructional tool. 

Accessing the Google Classroom

For YRDSB students, a Google Classroom invitation link will be sent directly to the student’s @gapps.yrdsb.ca email address. 

For non-YRDSB students, a call (from Private Number/No Caller ID) will be made to the parent/guardian listed on this form to provide sensitive information. Once you have received the student log in credentials, complete the following:

Using a PC or a MAC 

  1. Sign out of all other Google accounts, either from your home school board or personal accounts. 

  2. Open Chrome and select ‘Incognito Window” from the menu at the right hand side of the screen (where there are three dots in a row) 

  3. In your Incognito window, go to https://classroom.google.com When prompted, select “Go to Classroom” 

  4. When presented with the Google Login form, enter your 9 digit YRDSB student number and @gapps.yrdsb.ca (i.e. 123456789@gapps.yrdsb.ca) 

  5. On the next login screen, which will have the YRDSB logo, please enter the student number only and the password that was provided (i.e. 123456789 & password) 

  6. When prompted, accept any Google conditions. 

  7. You are now logged in. Look for the plus sign in the top right corner, and use the Google Classroom code.

Issues with Finding the Student’s Google Classroom

If a Google Classroom code was not provided, please use the student’s @gapps.yrdsb.ca Gmail account of an email containing the Google Classroom invite

If you have any questions regarding the program (e.g., Google Classroom invitation links, class times, etc.), please contact ILIL@yrdsb.ca.

These programs will be offered subject to student enrollment and teacher/instructor availability. York Region District School Board reserves the right to cancel any program due to low enrollment and/or teacher/instructor availability.