Acceptable English and French Language Exams for Canada

Who needs a language exam for English or French?

Canada’s national languages are English and French. If you plan to immigrate to Canada, you need to take at least one language exam to show your proficiency in English or French. Study permit applicants are required as well. Work permit applicants may need one depending on the circumstances, while tourists don’t need to speak English or French to visit Canada.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS

CELPIP – Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc. administers the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).

The CELPIP-G test is accepted by IRCC for immigration and citizenship purposes.
The CELPIP-G LS test is accepted by IRCC for citizenship purposes only.

IELTS – 3 different organizations administer the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You can take the exam given by any of these organizations. These are:

Cambridge Assessment English
International Development Program (IDP) Australia
British Council

PTE Core – IRCC will start accepting the Pearson Test of English Core in late 2023.

FRENCH LANGUAGE TESTS

TEF – The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry administers the Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada). For IRCC purposes, applicants must submit results for the following TEF Canada modules: reading (compréhension de l’écrit), listening (compréhension de l’oral), writing (expression écrite) and speaking (expression orale). The grammar and structure (lexique et structure) module is not required for Canadian economic immigration purposes, although test candidates take it as part of the reading and listening modules.

TCF – France Éducation International administers the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada). For IRCC purposes, applicants must submit results for the following TCF Canada modules: reading (compréhension de l’écrit), listening (compréhension de l’oral), writing (expression écrite) and speaking (expression orale).

Minimum Acceptable Scores

There are no standard minimum acceptable scores for English or French. It depends on the immigration program you are applying for. For students, it mostly depends on your school and study program. Be sure to check the requirement and minimum scores so that you will be aware of what scores you need to reach.

There are also practice exams that you can find online. This will give you an idea on the contents of the tests. You should determine which language exam you are most comfortable with. That will give you a good boost in your final results. Good luck!

Do you have questions regarding Canada’s language requirement? Contact us. We’d love to help you.

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