George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
With support from an Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) Capacity Grant, the School of ESL & Immigrant Education at George Brown Polytechnic has launched innovative new post-secondary pathways that accelerate newcomers’ transitions into in‑demand healthcare education and careers in Canada.
The project developed two healthcare‑focused English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to support newcomers who aspire to study or re‑enter the healthcare sector. The new courses enable individuals to achieve the English proficiency level required for entry into post-secondary programs while developing healthcare-specific language, Canadian healthcare workplace communication, academic readiness, and cultural learning.
Integrated into George Brown’s English for Academic Pathways program (R903), the two courses include:
- ESL 9089 – Advanced English Communication for Canadian Healthcare
- ESL 9093 – Health Studies Through Critical Reading and Writing
Learners benefit from targeted, occupation‑specific language preparation instead of general ESL courses, saving time and money while improving readiness for credential completion. Delivered online through evening and weekend classes, the pathway also enhances flexibility and equitable access for learners across Ontario, including those in rural or remote communities.
This year-long initiative was the product of collaboration between the School of ESL & Immigrant Education, the School of Work and College Preparation, and the Community Partnerships Office.
The newly developed ESL healthcare pathways exemplify ONCAT’s core commitment to learner mobility by reducing systemic barriers, improving access, and creating streamlined, more efficient routes into Ontario’s post-secondary system. The project has demonstrated that targeted pathway design can strengthen Ontario’s post-secondary ecosystem – helping newcomers, institutions, and the healthcare workforce thrive together.
For more information about the program or to register, visit the R903 Program web page.