OPENDOOR

LANGUAGE & CULTURE SOCIETY

Open Door welcomes the Comox Valley into a space of learning and celebration. With our in-person, supportive community, you can learn English, try speaking something new, or keep your heritage language alive!

Open Door is an incorporated non-profit society. We rely on the generous support of the community to offer accessible services open to all.

What we offer

ESL/LINC language teacher with a group of newcomer English learners in the Comox Valley (Courtenay, Comox).

English Classes


Are you new to Canada?  Do you want to improve your English skills?  For a small fee, certified language instructors will provide quality General English classes for adults of all levels.

We offer customized classes to help prepare you for the workplace or prepare you to write CELPIP, IELTS, or other English exams.  Let’s open doors of opportunity together!

ESL/LINC language learners - a group of newcomer English learners in the Comox Valley (Courtenay, Comox).

Language Clubs


Let’s keep heritage languages alive! Do you want to speak your first language with others or help your children remember their heritage? Or do you want to practice something new? Language Clubs are the space for you!

Experienced, certified language instructor tutoring a child in the Comox Valley (Courtenay, Comox).

Language Tutoring


Open Door offers tutoring sessions for a minimal fee. This personal language service is available for kids, youth and adults. Whether you need English support to do well in school, someone to assist you with essays and assignments, or just one-to-one practice and feedback, the tutoring program is for you!

Cultural Events

Cultural Events


With members of our community and our like-minded partners, we celebrate important events and cultures from around the world. From music and dance, to story-sharing and potlucks, we find ways to highlight and express vibrant cultures represented in the Valley.

About our Director

Esther Karasová is passionate about languages, culture and community.  She has witnessed the loss and disconnect that arise when heritage languages and cultures are eroded and doors of opportunity are closed to those outside of the mainstream society. She works alongside community partners to open doors that allow all of us to thrive in community and interconnection. 

Esther’s experience living abroad, leading diverse teaching teams, and coordinating thriving language programs strengthens her awareness of the needs and possibilities for the Comox Valley. Drawing on her 20-year background of language teaching, specialized training and a Master's Degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Esther has learned about the value and power of language.   

She has learned the most from her multicultural students, who explain the relationship between language, culture, and identity, and the importance of belonging to a safe and strong community.  She’d love to talk with you and consider how we can open more doors together!

Esther Karasova, Executive Director

Open Door highlights the importance of the rich languages and cultures of the First Nations. We recognize the immeasurable value of local languages including Kwak̓wala, Ayajusem, and Pentlatch. We are grateful to live, work, and learn on the Unceded Traditional Territory of the K’ómoks First Nation.

Let’s learn together

Interested in learning together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly!

We can't wait to hear from you!