The Alberta government is cutting the budget for ESL programs in Alberta which help immigrants learn to speak English.

Education Minister Jeff Johnson says English as a Second Language training will now be funded for five years instead of seven.

But Johnson says experts haven't pinned down exactly how long ESL training should be offered.

Liberal education critic Kent Hehr said the cuts will hurt immigrants moving to Alberta for job opportunities.

"Clearly Calgary, Edmonton and other jurisdictions in Alberta are beacons for new immigrants," he said.

"They are going to have children in our communities who are then going to hopefully go out and get jobs in our community. They need to get the handle on english as a second language."

Funding dropped to $76 million in this year's budget from $84 million last year.