Halifax edtech company Shoelace Learning has partnered with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) to provide English reading assessments and learning programs to immigrants through the ICC’s Canoo platform.

The partnership will give Canoo members access to a free, personalized English reading assessment that identifies their current reading level and areas for improvement. Members can also purchase Shoelace Learning’s game-based reading program at a discounted rate.

Shoelace delivers science-backed literacy instruction through the use of games that are proven to accelerate reading gains, combining reading instruction with game-based learning. So far, its software has been used by more than 11 million learners in over 160 countries. The company was shortlisted among the top 30 finalists for the 2025 Global EdTech Prize.

The deal with ICC means that its members can use the Shoelace technology to improve their English reading skills, which is one of the main challenges facing many newcomers, said Shoelace Co-Founder and CEO Julia Rivard Dexter in an interview. They can do so without having to travel to a classroom, which can be a burden on busy families adapting to a new country.

The resources are intended to help newcomers improve their English literacy, including those preparing for language proficiency tests such as CELPIP and IELTS and parents helping children adjust to Canadian schools.

“They (the ICC) have 1 million members, most of which would be either personally in our demographic, as an adult who's trying to learn English to pass their citizenship test, or they have kids that we can support,” said Rivard Dexter. “So when I talked to the ICC, they said about 60 to 65 percent of their members would be potential customers for us.”

The ICC is a national charitable organization focused on helping newcomers participate fully in Canadian life. It operates Canoo as a national “newcomer welcome platform” that connects newcomers with cultural, recreational, educational and community opportunities across Canada.

“Via Canoo, Shoelace will help tens of thousands of newcomers integrate better and faster,” said ICC Chief Executive Daniel Bernhard in a statement.

The initiative will provide newcomers with tools to assess and develop their English reading skills, which can support their participation in education, employment and community life.

Canoo members can learn more about the offer and access their free English reading assessment at canoo.shoelacelearning.com.

Asked what is new with Shoelace, which raised more than $3 million in 2022-23, Rivard Dexter said the education market has been challenging in the past few years. The U.S., which is the company’s largest market, has been especially difficult, though she hopes it may improve soon with the changing political tide.

“We've been able to establish some really exciting partnerships in Africa, with private school networks in [such countries as] Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa,” she said. “They're moving from oftentimes no structure to very, very advanced new modern structures, so we're working with really cool groups there. I'm looking to expand in Africa.”

She added that the mission remains unchanged from when the company began: to help improve reading skills, especially among children.  The importance of the mission has only grown as reading skills among Canadian children have fallen in recent years. In the PISA 2025 results, Canadian 15-year-olds scored an average of 490 points, down 37 points since 2006, marking the lowest-ever national reading score on record.

“Educational systems aren't changing fast enough,” said Rivard Dexter.  “Our systems are too slow to innovate in a way that actually impacts student success. The PISA results are a great example. Every day that we don't do something about it, a kid graduates without the ability to have strong reading comprehension. So, I'm motivated, knowing the impact that we can have.”