English Classes for Beginners in Toronto: A Complete Guide (2026)
If you are starting with little or no English, the class matters more than the size of the school. This guide explains what to look for in a beginner English class in Toronto, how levels work and what it costs, using St. George International College (SGIC) as an example.
››› What a good beginner class includes
A placement test. You should start at the right level, not the level the school wants to sell. SGIC: new students take an oral and written placement test, and General English starts at the Starter level.
Clear levels. Ask how many weeks each level lasts and how you move up. SGIC: levels run from Starter to Advanced. Each level lasts 8 weeks, and a grade of B (70%) or higher moves you to the next level.
Flexible start dates. You should not wait months for a new class. SGIC: new students can start every Monday.
An easy commute. A campus near the subway saves time and money every day. SGIC Toronto: 543 Yonge St., Unit 200, one minute on foot from Wellesley subway station.
A clear price. Compare the weekly price, registration, materials and insurance. SGIC 2026: General English from CA$265 per week for 32 weeks or more, CA$315 per week for 1 to 3 weeks. Registration CA$250. Materials CA$60 per 4 weeks. Health insurance CA$3.50 per day. A 12-week full-time course is about CA$5,170.
A path after the beginner level. SGIC offers IELTS and TOEFL preparation, Business English, English for Medicine, and a university and college pathway for students who want to study in Canada.
››› 5 tips for your first month in Toronto
1. Speak every day. Even 10 minutes a day with classmates, your homestay family or a barista is better than one long session a week.
2. Learn phrases for real life. Start with the subway, grocery stores, cafes, pharmacies and asking for help. Write 10 new phrases a day in your phone notes.
3. Use English outside class. Change your phone to English, watch shows with English subtitles and read signs on your way to school.
4. Make friends from other countries. English becomes the common language, so you practice without switching back to your own.
5. Do not wait for perfect grammar. Mistakes are normal in the first months. Teachers expect them, and speaking is how you improve.
Question | SGIC Toronto |
Starting level | Starter (placement test on day one) |
Length of each level | 8 weeks |
Start dates | Every Monday |
Location | 543 Yonge St., 1 min from Wellesley station |
General English price | CA$265 to CA$315 per week |
What comes next | IELTS, TOEFL, Business English, university pathway |
Want to know which level you would start at? Talk to an SGIC advisor.
SGIC facts are from the official SGIC website and Price List 2026.
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