LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY THROUGH CELPIP AND IELTS

ABOUT CELPIP AND IELTS

When applying for permanent residence to Canada, most applications require you take language assessment test to evaluate your language proficiency. The test results are needed for your immigration application to proof language proficiency.

Two of the most popular tests taken globally by most applicants include the International English Language Testing System (CELPIP) and Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (IELTS).

These two tests are very similar; however they do have slight differences in which the applicant may prefer one over the other. Whichever test you decide to take both these test are accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Choose your Language Test

	CELPIP	IELTS
LISTENING	Consists of 7 parts About 40 to 46 questions Have 47 to 55 minutes to complete this section	Consists of 4 parts About 40 questions 30 minutes to complete this section
In here you get tested on your listening skills and how well you are able to respond to the questions you are hearing
READING	Consists of 4 parts About 38 to 45 questions Have 55 to 60 minutes to complete this section	Consists of 3 parts About 40 questions 30 minutes to complete this section
In here you get tested on your reading skills by reviewing a passage and answering questions based on what you read
WRITING	Consist of 2 parts Writing an email Answering a survey question Have 53 to 60 minutes	Consists of 2 parts Writing a letter and responding to a point of view Argument or problem 60 minutes
In here your writing skills get tested by writing a response to a passage you read and how well you are able support your arguments.
SPEAKING	Consists of 8 parts short answer questions 15 to 20 minutes	Consist of 3 parts Introduction, Individual Speech and Two-Way Discussion Have 11 to 14 minutes
In here you get tested on your communication skills. You will introduce yourself, discuss topics and share your opinions, pretty much like when you go for a job interview. Ensure you use proper grammar, support your opinion and sound confident.
TYPE OF TEST	Computer Test Only This good if you like to finish the test fast or if your writing is not legible	Paper Test Only Good if you are not tech savvy Some test centres may offer computer based
SCORE	1 to12 for each section	Score of 1 to 9 for each section
TEST DURATION	3 hours	2 hours and 45 min
RESULTS	About 10 to12 days to receive results If you need results sooner, CELPIP offers express 3 business day results for $100 extra fee	About 13 days to receive results
VALIDITY	Good for 2 years from the date of the test	Good for 2 years from the day of the test

What is CLB?

CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks which summarizes where your level of English proficiency stands at. Therefore, when applying for immigration purposes most permanent residence applications require your CLB level.

Check out our charts below for

CELPIP Equivalency
IELTS Equivalency
Different Pathway Equivalency :
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades and
- Canadian Experience Class

CHECK BELOW FOR CLB EQUIVALENCY FOR CELPIP

CELPIP
CLB LEVEL	READING	WRITING	LISTENING	SPEAKING
10	10	10	10	10
9	9	9	9	9
8	8	8	8	8
7	7	7	7	7
6	6	6	6	6
5	5	5	5	5
4	4	4	4	4

CHECK BELOW FOR CLB EQUIVALENCY FOR CELPIP

IELTS
CLB LEVEL	READING	WRITING	LISTENING	SPEAKING
10	8.0	7.5	8.5	7.5
9	7.0	7.0	8.0	7.0
8	6.5	6.5	7.5	6.5
7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
6	5.0	5.5	5.5	5.5
5	4.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
4	3.5	4.0	4.5	4.0

CLB SCORE FOR DIFFERENT PATHWAYS

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program:

To be eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker, you must score at least CLB 7 in all four abilities and minimum CLB level for the second official language.

Federal Skilled Worker Program
CELPIP-G	IELTS		First official language (Maximum 24 points)
CLB Level	CLB Level		Speaking		Listening				Reading			Writing		Points per Ability
7	7		7	6.0	7		6.0-7.0		7	6.0		7	6.0	4		4
8	8		8	6.5	8		7.5		8	6.5		8	6.5	5		5
9	9		9	7.0	9		8.0		9	7.0		9	7.0	6		6
10 and above	10 and above		10+	7.5-9.0	10+		8.5-9.0		10+	8.0-9.0		10+	7.5-9.0	6		6

CELPIP-G	IELTS	Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in all four language abilities)
CLB Level	CLB Level	Speaking				Listening			Reading			Writing		Points per Ability
5 and above	5 and above	5-12		5.0-9.0		5-12		5.0-9.0	5-12		4.0-9.0	5-12	5.0-9.0	4	4

Now Add your Points:

First Official Language + Second Official Language= Total

(Speaking+ Reading +Writing = Subtotal) + Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet minimum in all four abilities otherwise you put zero = Total

Add: first + second = total

2. Federal Skilled Trades:

To be eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Class, you should score minimum of CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing.

Federal Skilled Trades
CELPIP-G	IELTS	Test Result for Each Ability
CLB Level	CLB Level	Speaking		Listening		Reading		Writing
9 and above	10 and above	9+	7.5-9.0	9+	8.5-9.0	9+	8.0-9.0	9+	7.5-9.0
8	9	8	7.0	8	8.0	8	7.0	8	7.0
7	8	7	6.5	7	7.5	7	6.5	7	6.5
6	7	6	6.0	6	6.0	6	6.0	6	6.0
5	6	5	5.5	5	5.5	5	5.0	5	5.5
4	5	4	5.0	4	5.0	4	4.0	4	5.0
–	4	–	4	–	4.5	–	3.5	–	4.0

3. Canadian Experience Class:

To be eligible under the Canadian Experience Class, you should aim for at least a CLB 7 in each language ability under skill type 0 or skill level A occupations.

Should your work experience fall under skill level B occupations then you should have at least CLB 5 in each language ability.

If you were not successful in meeting the minimum language skills for your NOC category then unfortunately the application will not be processed.

Canadian Experience Class
CELPIP-G		IELTS		Test Result for Each Ability
NOC	CLB Level	NOC	CLB Level	Speaking		Listening		Reading		Writing
0, A	9 and above	0, A	10 and above	9+	7.5-9.0	9+	8.5-9.0	9+	8.0-9.0	9+	7.5-9.0
0, A	8	0, A	9	8	7.0	8	8.0	8	7.0	8	7.0
0, A	7	0, A	8	7	6.5	7	7.5	7	6.5	7	6.5
B	6	0, A	7	6	6.0	6	6.0	6	6.0	6	6.0
B	5	B	6	5	5.5	5	5.5	5	5.0	5	5.5
–	–	B	5	–	5.0	–	5.0	–	4.0	–	5.0

Contact Akrami & Associates

If you have received your IELTS OR CELPIP results and not sure if you are eligible to apply for permanent residence through one of the immigration routes then contact Akrami & Associates at 416-477-2545 or email us at info@thevisa.ca for more information. Akrami & Associates has assisted many clients successfully to obtaining PR status in Canada and we can help you too.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!

Shabnam Akrami

Shabnam Akrami is the Managing Partner and Founder of Akrami & Associates. p> Prior to receiving her Paralegal Diploma with Honours, she completed her Law Degree from the UK at the University of London as well as completed a Post Graduate Diploma. In addition, she has also graduated from York University where she received both her Bachelor in Criminology and Masters in Socio-Legal Studies. She is also a Member in good standing with Law Society of Upper Canada. Prior to opening her own firm, she gained extensive experience in corporate immigration law; specializing in work permits, temporary resident permits and rehabilitation cases. She has in depth and hands on experience in all Canadian Immigration and Citizenship matters. These matters include preparation and submission of applications for permanent residence, work permits, NAFTA applications, labour market opinions, temporary resident permits, sponsorships, and business investors. Shabnam is dedicated to all her clients and committed to the successful completion of all the immigration matters in her care. With Shabnam, there is always a way!