Language Testing

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Language Testing

Recently Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) made changes to the language testing requirements. Previously, applicants could prove their language ability with a written submission. This submission in lieu of testing was intended for applicants whose first language was either English or French. Due to the frequency of non-native English and French speakers using this option, CIC has changed the requirements effective for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class applications received on or after June 26, 2010.

As a result of these changes, CIC now only accepts designated third-party language tests as proof of language ability. There are no exceptions to this rule and all applicants are evaluated against the same standards. Where you were born, have lived, were educated or have worked does not factor at all into the language testing requirements.

International English Language Testing System

The IELTS Test

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) provides a complete set of English language proficiency tests in English. Applicants are tested in four areas of proficiency in the English language: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

All applicants take the same Speaking and Listening modules.

IELTS has two options for the Reading and Writing tests. If you are

planning to undertake academic study, it is recommended that you take the “Academic Reading and Writing” modules. If you are planning to undertake non-academic training or apply for immigration to Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you must take the “General Training Reading and Writing” modules

The IELTS Results

The IELTS test results are sent to the applicants within two weeks following the administration of the test.

Applicants receive scores on a band scale from 1 to 9.

Applicants receive a score for each module of the IELTS test as well as

an overall score.

Overall band scores and Reading and Listening band scores are reported

in half bands. Writing and Speaking band scores are reported in whole bands.

Results are valid for two years. However, Citizenship and

Immigration Canada (CIC) will not accept scores older than one year from the date of test.

For more information on the IELTS test and scheduled test dates and centers in your country, visit the IELTS web site.

Interpretation of the IELTS Results

Each band on the IELTS test scale corresponds to a specific proficiency level for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The nine bands and their descriptive statements are indicated in the chart below. Your IELTS test report will show your proficiency level for each category: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

IELTS Proficiency Levels	IELTS Level Description
9 Expert User	Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
8 Very Good	User Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7 Good User	Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6 Competent User	Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations
5 Modest User	Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
4 Limited User	Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
3 Extremely Limited User	Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2 Intermittent User	No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non User	Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

How to Determine Your Language Score Using the IELTS Test Score Equivalency Chart

Proficiency Level (CLB/SLC*)	Points (per ability)	IELTS Test Results for Each Ability
		Reading	Writing	Speaking	Listening
HIGH (CLB/SLC: 8-12)	First Official Language: 4	7.0-9.0	7.0-9.0	7.0-9.0	7.0-9.0
	Second Official Language: 2
MODERATE (CLB/SLC: 6-7)	First Official Language: 2	5.0-6.9	5.0-6.9	5.0-6.9	5.0-6.9
	Second Official Language: 2
BASIC (CLB/SLC: 4-5)	First Official Language: 1 (max 2)	4.0-4.9	4.0-4.9	4.0-4.9	4.0-4.9
	Second Official Language: 1 (max 2)
NONE (CLB/SLC: 0-3)	0	Less than 4.0	Less than 4.0	Less than 4.0	Less than 4.0
	0
*CLB/SLC: Corresponding Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000/Standards Linguistiques Canadiens 2002.

Example: If you indicate English as your First Official Language and your IELTS test score lies between 7.0 - 9.0 in Reading and Writing AND 5.0 - 6.9 in Speaking and Listening, you will be awarded 12 points under the LANGUAGE factor for immigration purposes. If English is indicated as your Second Official Language, you will then receive 8 points for your Second Official Language

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Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

The CELPIP Test

CELPIP is the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program developed at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. CELPIP provides a complete set of English language proficiency tests in English for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The CELPIP tests are listed below:

The General Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Test assesses

proficiency levels of general reading and writing skills. The test consists of five parts based on everyday general reading and writing tasks.

The Academic Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Test

assesses proficiency of beginning college or university-level reading and writing.

The Canadian English Language Listening Test assesses proficiency

levels of functional listening skills.

The Canadian English Language Test of Oral Proficiency assesses the proficiency level of oral communication skills.

The CELPIP Test Results

The CELPIP test results are sent to the applicants within two weeks following the administration of the test. CELPIP issues two different score reports: Personal and Official Score Reports. Official Score Reports can also be mailed directly to the institutions upon examinee’s request.

Applicants receive scores on a scale of six levels.

Applicants receive a score for each section of the CELPIP test – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Results are valid for two years. However, Citizenship

and Immigration Canada (CIC) will not accept scores older than one year from the date of test.

For more information on the CELPIP test and scheduled test dates and centers in your country, visit the CELPIP web site.

Interpretation of the CELPIP Results

CELPIP test score levels are based on a complex set of evaluation criteria. Each level on the CELPIP test scale corresponds to a specific proficiency level for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The six levels and their corresponding proficiency levels are indicated in the chart below. Your CELPIP test report will show your proficiency level for each category: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

CELPIP Proficiency Levels	CELPIP Level Descriptors
Level 6	Advanced Proficiency
Level 5	Effective Proficiency
Level 4	Adequate Proficiency
Level 3	Developing Proficiency
Level 2	Minimal Proficiency
Level 1	No Proficiency
Level 0	Insufficient information to assess

How to Determine Your Language Score Using the CELPIP Test Score Equivalency Chart

Proficiency Level (CBL/SLC*)	Points ^{(per ability)}	CELPIP Test Results for Each Ability
		Reading	Writing	Speaking	Listening
HIGH (CLB/SLC: 8-12)	First Official Language: 4	4H** 5 6	4H 5 6	4H 5 6	4H 5 6
	Second Official Language: 2
MODERATE (CLB/SLC: 6-7)	First Official Language: 2	3H 4L**	3H 4L	3H 4L	3H 4L
	Second Official Language: 2
BASIC (CLB/SLC: 4-5)	First Official Language: 1 (max 2)	2H 3L	2H 3L	2H 3L	2H 3L
	Second Official Language: 1 (max 2)
NONE (CLB/SLC: 0-3)	0	0 1 2L	0 1 2L	0 1 2L	0 1 2L
	0
^{CLB/SLC: Corresponding Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000/Standards Linguistiques Canadiens 2002.} *H: High; L: Low

Example: If you indicate English as your First Official language and your CELPIP test score lies between 4H - 6.0 in Reading and Writing AND 3H - 4L in Speaking and Listening, you will be awarded 12 points under the LANGUAGE factor for immigration purposes. If you indicated French as your Second Official Language, you will then receive 8 points for your Second Official Language.

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Test d'Evaluation de Français

The TEF Test

Test d'Evaluation de Français (TEF) offers language proficiency tests in the French language for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. You must submit results from the following TEF tests as proof of your French language ability:

Compréhension Ecrite

Compréhension Orale

Expression Ecrite

Expression Orale

The TEF Results

The TEF test results are sent to the applicants within 4 weeks following the administration of the test.

Applicants receive scores on a scale of 6 levels of proficiency

Applicants receive a score for each section of the TEF test – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Results are valid for one year.

For more information on the TEF test and scheduled test dates and centers in your country, visit the TEF web site.

Interpretation of the TEF Results

Each level on the TEF test scale corresponds to a specific proficiency level for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The six levels and their corresponding proficiency levels are indicated in the chart below. Your TEF test report will show your proficiency level for each category: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

TEF Proficiency Levels	TEF Level Descriptors
Superior	6	Total Language Mastery You understand everything you read or listen to in various areas. You grasp language nuances and interpret complex documents discerningly. You can express yourself spontaneously, correctly and fluently. You can give arguments on complex topics.
Superior	5	Good Language Mastery You understand complex texts and oral production in detail in situations where you are speaking professionally or socially. You express yourself with self-assuredness and precision on various topics.
Intermediate	4	General Language Mastery You understand detailed information in texts or oral production covering a familiar topic, be it concrete or abstract. You express yourself clearly on topics relating to your area(s) of interest.
Intermediate	3	Basic Language Knowledge You understand short phrases if you are already familiar with them or if they are repeated to you. You know how to express basic needs
Elementary	2	Basic Language Structure Mastery You understand practical information in daily life as well as simple messages. You can make yourself understood in situations that you are already familiar with or that you can guess
	1	Basic Language Knowledge You understand short phrases if you are already familiar with them or if they are repeated to you. You know how to express basic needs.
	0+	You identify and reproduce isolated words or memorized expressions.

How to Determine Your Language Score Using the TEF Test Score Equivalency Chart

Proficiency Level (CLB/SLC*)	Points (per ability)	TEF Test Results for Each Ability
		Reading	Writing	Speaking	Listening
HIGH (CLB/SLC: 8-12)	First Official Language: 4	Level 5 Level 6 (233-300 points)	Level 5 Level 6 (349-450 points)	Level 5 Level 6 (349-450 points)	Level 5 Level 6 (280-360 points)
	Second Official Language: 2
MODERATE (CLB/SLC: 6-7)	First Official Language: 2	Level 4 (181-232 points)	Level 4 (271-348 points)	Level 4 (271-348 points)	Level 4 (217-279 points)
	Second Official Language: 2
BASIC (CLB/SLC: 4-5)	First Official Language: 1 (max 2)	Level 3 (121-180 points)	Level 3 (181-270 points)	Level 3 (181-270 points)	Level 3 (145-216 points)
	Second Official Language: 1 (max 2)
NONE (CLB/SLC: 0-3)	0	Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 (0-120 points)	Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 (0-180 points)	Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 (0-180 points)	Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 (0-144 points)
	0
*CLB/SLC: Corresponding Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000/Standards Linguistiques Canadiens 2002.

Example: If you indicate French as your First Official language and your TEF test score lies between Level 5 - 6 in Reading (233-300 points) and Writing (349-450 points) AND Level 4 in Speaking (271-348 points) and Listening (217-279 points) you will be awarded 12 points under the LANGUAGE factor for immigration purposes. If you indicated French as your Second Official Language, you will then receive 8 points for your Second Official Language.

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