As an immigrant to a foreign country where I didn't know the language well (Japan), I can verify that it will almost certainly take more than a year. It took me about 3 years to learn how to learn a language and to build up some fluency. I got married in Japan to a woman who didn't speak English well and we subsequently went to England for 2 years. Despite being immersed in English for the entire 2 years (I spoke to her only in English during that period), and despite studying English very hard every day, she was not able to speak well enough to hold a job. We've come back to Japan now and 2 years later, the language has sunk deeply enough that my wife could certainly hold an English language job (even though she barely spoke English for the 2 years since we got back).
Language takes time to absorb. My advice (from experience and also from teaching English as a foreign language for 5 years) is to keep surrounding them with English language culture. One of the biggest things is to simply include them in activities with other Canadians. Things like barbeques, picnics, beach, skiing, sports activities, bar, restaurant, movies, whatever. Organise events with lots of people and keep introducing them. For the entire year they will probably find it uncomfortable and tiring. They may not say much. They may not understand very much of what is going on, but it is a lifeline.
Also, a few tricks as an immigrant: you need to be super friendly and outgoing. People's natural reaction to seeing strangers is to be suspicious and cautious. I go for walks regularly (like every hour or so -- mainly because I work from home remotely and I need to work out some technical problem in my head). I make a point of smiling and saying hello to everyone I meet. Now I'm pretty fluent in Japanese, but when I first arrived I had virtually no ability to have a conversation. So I practiced simple exchanges about the weather, etc. I would go down the street, find the nearest lonely retired person (lots of them in rural Japan!) and just say, "It's hot today, isn't it". Then I'd let them rattle on and I'd smile. Some people didn't care to talk to me, but quite a few enjoyed the 2-3 minute chat every day. Now it's part of my life and I know virtually all of my neighbours. I am part of the community.
So to sum up: Help them find opportunities to meet other people. They will find themselves completely inadequate to the task, but encourage them. Encourage them to explore and meet people in the community. Have them use whatever little language they have with people on the street. Help them become a part of the community. Language will come over time as long as they keep studying. The study is important, but it seems to also take time just to sink in, so make sure they don't get discouraged if they don't see any progress.
Luckily, they have no choice but be surrounded by English speaking people here in Toronto. The government and the local community is also doing a lot for them in terms of teaching them English, getting them involved in the events/activities.
It's a long-term investment, but I've seen other refugees thrive in Toronto (the locals here would know about the success of the Sri Lankan community).
Language takes time to absorb. My advice (from experience and also from teaching English as a foreign language for 5 years) is to keep surrounding them with English language culture. One of the biggest things is to simply include them in activities with other Canadians. Things like barbeques, picnics, beach, skiing, sports activities, bar, restaurant, movies, whatever. Organise events with lots of people and keep introducing them. For the entire year they will probably find it uncomfortable and tiring. They may not say much. They may not understand very much of what is going on, but it is a lifeline.
Also, a few tricks as an immigrant: you need to be super friendly and outgoing. People's natural reaction to seeing strangers is to be suspicious and cautious. I go for walks regularly (like every hour or so -- mainly because I work from home remotely and I need to work out some technical problem in my head). I make a point of smiling and saying hello to everyone I meet. Now I'm pretty fluent in Japanese, but when I first arrived I had virtually no ability to have a conversation. So I practiced simple exchanges about the weather, etc. I would go down the street, find the nearest lonely retired person (lots of them in rural Japan!) and just say, "It's hot today, isn't it". Then I'd let them rattle on and I'd smile. Some people didn't care to talk to me, but quite a few enjoyed the 2-3 minute chat every day. Now it's part of my life and I know virtually all of my neighbours. I am part of the community.
So to sum up: Help them find opportunities to meet other people. They will find themselves completely inadequate to the task, but encourage them. Encourage them to explore and meet people in the community. Have them use whatever little language they have with people on the street. Help them become a part of the community. Language will come over time as long as they keep studying. The study is important, but it seems to also take time just to sink in, so make sure they don't get discouraged if they don't see any progress.