Holland College hires more staff to meet Syrian refugees' language training demand

Holland College is boosting staffing levels to help meet the needs of Syrian refugees who need English language training.

College officials say 21 Syrian refugees have started classes since the end of January, including two who joined on Thursday.

The college hired three new instructors to accommodate the influx of newcomers requiring language training.

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Natalie Worthen, program manager for community education at Holland College, said theirEnglish skillsvary but most of the refugees so far are at lower levels.

"They have to go through an assessment at [PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada] before they come to us. There are still some newcomers waiting to be assessed," Worthen said.

Worthen said the college has done its best to incorporate the Syrian refugees in campus life.

"Of course they get put into their classroom, but they have a large student lounge area to interact with others," she said.

"They've come right at winter carnival time so they are involved in snow sculpture and the different activities that are going on for winter carnival."

Hollard College isn't the only institution providing English training service. Study Abroad Canada in Charlottetown is also providing similar classes for Syrian refugees.