Children’s Italian Classes

The Hamilton Dante Centre in conjunction with various school boards offers FREE language classes for all elementary students! This school year, we will be offering both an in-person and a virtual learning program option.

Students and their parents can choose to take part in a physical classroom or an online learning experience with their instructor and classmates.

LET’S LEARN ITALIANO!

• The focus of this program is to offer students at the elementary level an opportunity to develop and maintain the ability to listen, speak, read, write, and understand a new language or the language of the home or heritage.
• Students will be provided with engaging, interactive, and age-appropriate activities.
• Previous knowledge or background of the language is NOT required.
• The fall/winter program runs from September 7, 2024-May 31, 2025
• Classes run Saturday mornings or after 5:00pm during the week.
• This is a continuous intake program and students can register up to April 30, 2025.
• To participate in the online program your child will need to have access to technology and the Internet
• For course listing, please check the flyer below.
• Classes offered are based on sufficient enrollment. Dates, times, and languages available are subject to change.
• For further information, please refer to the parents/guardians frequently asked questions at stcharles.ca/ilfaq

When: Saturday, September 7, 2024 – Saturday, May 31, 2025

Locations:

Depending on enrolment, classes will be offered at the following school sites on the following days/times:

Immaculate Conception – Saturdays 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Immaculate Heart of Mary – Saturdays 9:30 am – 12:00 pm 

St. Marguerite d‘Youville – Mondays 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

St. Mark – Saturdays 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

St. Michael – Thursdays 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Online – Fridays starting at 5:30 pm

Registration is now open!

For more information about the Italian Language Program, please visit: 

https://www.stcharles.ca/programs/ilep-international-languages-elementary-program

Here is the registration link:https://www.stcharles.ca/ilreg

Who:

HWCDSB and non-HWCDSB students are welcome to register.

Must be entering JK–Grade 8 in September 2024.

Please note that an Ontario Education Number (OEN) is required for registration.

Q & A for Parent/Guardians

International and Indigenous Elementary Languages Program (IILEP) Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible for the IILEP?

For the fall/winter program, any child who is four years old as of December 31st in a new school year and enrolled in an elementary school or private school in Ontario is eligible to participate in this program. 

For the summer program, students eligible to attend Year 1 kindergarten to Grade 8 in the following September may attend.

The Ontario Ministry does not fund home-schooled children and charges $100.00 per pupil.

All students require an Ontario Education Number (OEN) number. (Found on the left side of the student’s report card. Students eligible to enter Year 1 Kindergarten in September and those in private school who do not have an OEN number must provide identification (e.g., a birth certificate or passport) to be photocopied and attached to the registration form.

 Out-of-province students are not eligible for the IILEP.

What is the duration of the Program?

There are two sessions.

• The Fall/Winter session begins in September and ends at the end of May or the beginning of June. Classes run for 2.5 hours/week.
• The summer session is offered in July for 2.5 hours daily, Monday to Friday.

When can I register?

For more information on registering, please see the information on Link

Where can I register?

​Registration information can be found on the Link

When is the last day for registration?

Elementary registration is ongoing. However, if the classes are at capacity, you may wish to have your child placed on a waitlist.

When will I know if my child is enrolled?

Once you submit the online registration, your child/ren will be enrolled. You will be contacted by your child’s instructor shortly before the program begins.

What can be done if the target language at a site is at full capacity?

Classes are subject to sufficient enrolment and availability of qualified instructors.  Please enrol your child/ren as soon as possible to secure a spot. 

When the target language at the chosen site is at full capacity, your child/ren can be placed on a waitlist. If interested, contact  info@stcharles.ca or PH: 905-577-055 ext. 3225.

If a place becomes available, you will be contacted by the head instructor.

Will there be in-person registration at the language sites?

It would be helpful if registrations could be done online and as soon as possible.

Those who may have trouble with this process could register in person. 

Is there a cost to the program?

The Ontario Ministry does not fund home-schooled children and charges a fee of $100 per pupil.

Children enrolled in Public or private schools in Ontario are not charged to attend classes. However, various communities may ask parents for donations to cover the costs of special events, such as class trips and presentations. Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from classes.

When is the first day of class?

For the specific date of the first day of class and times of each language class, please see the list of elementary programs on the IILEP calendar at the link.

Will parents/guardians or students be contacted regarding the first day of class?

​No. Parents/guardians and students will not be contacted regarding the first day of classes; the date and time of the first class are available on our webpage at the link.

Can I get a copy of the school IILEP calendar?

Yes. IILEP calendars are available at the link

What if my child has a health issue and requires medication?

Your child’s medical condition must be shared with the head instructor at registration. Students requiring an EpiPen or inhalers for asthma must contact the head instructor to receive the necessary documents. A list of target language sites and instructors is posted at the link.

Children requiring an EpiPen must have it with them at every class.

Can you register for the same language more than once a week?

​​No. The Ministry of Education only funds one language class of the same language per student per week.

 Can a student register for more than one language?

Yes. During the Fall/Winter session, your child can take a target language one day and a different target language on another day.

During the summer session, your child can take one target language in the morning and another in the afternoon. 

Do I have to speak some of the language already?

No. Students do not have to speak the language to enrol in a language class. Instructors will differentiate to meet your child’s language learning needs. Setting realistic language learning expectations for your child is essential as this program runs only once weekly in the fall/winter session and four weeks in the summer session, and it is not an immersion program.

Do the IILEP classes run on inclement weather days?

​When evening classes are cancelled due to inclement weather, the IILEP classes are also cancelled.

• The schools will be open for classes unless the Director of the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board chooses to close them. 
• On days when the weather is a problem, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to decide whether the child should attend school. 
• When Friday evening classes are cancelled due to inclement weather, Saturday morning classes are also automatically cancelled. 

Saturday morning cancellation 

 If schools are to be closed on Saturday mornings: 

• an announcement will be posted on the board and St Charles’s websites or via Twitter @hwcdsb.ca or @stcharlesace.

Do IILEP classes operate on holidays?

​No. Classes do not run on days when the school is closed for a statutory holiday. 

​Do IILEP Classes still happen on PA Days?

Yes. Classes run, as usual, on PA Days.

My child/ren already speaks the language. Can they be placed in an advanced class?

Students are scheduled into age-appropriate classes (day school grade) regardless of the level of fluency; teachers will differentiate instruction based on student needs.

Can my child be placed in a class with a friend/sibling?

We will try our best to accommodate your request. Please inform the head instructor as soon as possible. The list of head instructors can be found at the link.

Where are the IILEP classes held?

Elementary classes are held in Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board schools and buildings. See the list of elementary programs to find each class’s location, date, and time, as well as a list of languages offered. link

Are there opportunities for new IILEP instructors?

Instructors are always needed in the IILEP. Candidates must be 18 years of age. Selection will be based on qualifications, proficiency in the target and spoken English language, and being at least 18 years of age.  If interested, contact  info@stcharles.ca or PH: 905-577-055 ext. 3225.

Volunteer Opportunities

We welcome volunteers (grades 9 to 12) in the Indigenous and International Languages. 

If you require further information, please email info@stcharles.ca or PH: 905-577-0555 Ext. 3225