The Canadian Language Benchmark will play a crucial role in ensuring that an individual residing in Canada will be an active member of Canadian society.
Canada is home to abundant opportunities across the globe. The country is welcoming toward foreign nationals from all diverse nations. Although the Canadian population speaks French and English language, it is crucial for newcomers to be well-versed in at least one official language.
Additionally, the intensity of the two languages being spoken will depend upon the region you must choose to reside in.
Consequently, if an individual determines their Canadian immigration plan, they must acquire a Canadian Language Benchmark.
Therefore, it is essential to obtain a CLB Assessment, and before that, it is even more significant to know about it and go through this process. Moreover, understanding the process of CLB assessment will enable them to attain the best score.
Canadian Language Benchmark- the details
The CLB is a standard benchmark for evaluating foreign nationals’ English language proficiency. Furthermore, IRCC uses the CLB to evaluate candidates who seek Canadian immigration. Moreover, a CLB applies to all chief programs available for Canadian immigration.
Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment and its process
The CLB majorly consists of twelve divisions and evaluates the individual’s language ability in terms of four levels: writing, reading, listening, and speaking. Furthermore, all the candidates receive a CLB level on the basis of their scores. This score applies to one of the four language proficiency examinations with federal approval. Moreover, the CLB level will rely upon the individual’s listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in at least one of the two Canadian official languages. There will be a total of ten CLB levels.
Every benchmark consists of an already established set of parameters to gauge the skills of communicating effectively.
The standards created will primarily rely on crucial factors like the English communication level, and ability to comprehend the written and spoken settings.
Canadian Language Benchmark- which are the approved language tests?
The English and French language proficiency consists of two approved tests each. On the contrary, Quebec has its separate language test alternatives to test language skills. Additionally, it is all the more crucial to submit the language tests within two years of the application submission date. For instance, if the test occurred two years prior to the application submission, give the tests again and submit new test outcomes.
IELTS
International English Language Testing System is the test specifically curated to test a candidate’s English language skills. The IELTS exam is a part of several examination centers across different countries. This is a prominent exam available for Canadian immigration. Additionally, this test can be classified into General IELTS and Academic IELTS. The test essentially tests the four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
All the above skills receive a score out of 9.
CELPIP
CELPIP is another approved language test for the English language for Canadian immigration. The four chief countries with this test available are the United States, Canada, the Philippines, and the U.A.E. This test also assesses the four core language skills in terms of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Each language ability will get a score out of ten points.
TEF
Test d’évaluation de français is one of the two French language proficiency tests for immigration purposes, excluding the Quebec province. Several countries conduct this test, and it essentially evaluates four language abilities classified as reading, writing, speaking, and writing. Every language aspect gets a unique score through the Test Score Equivalency Chart.
TCF
The Test de connaissance du français is the other approved language test for proving language proficiency in French. This applies to all provinces and territories for immigration except Quebec. Like the other approved tests, the TCF also assesses its candidates based on writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. The Test Score Equivalency Chart determines a unique score for all the aspects.
Language tests under Quebec immigration
Those seeking Quebec immigration will require to demonstrate either their French language or English language abilities. Most Quebec immigration programs or pathways demand French language proficiency under the following French tests:
- TEFAQ
- TEF
- TEF Canada
- DELF
- TCF-Quebec
- DALF
- DELF
Notably, Quebec immigration programs only attach significance to IELTS in the case of evaluating candidates on their English language abilities.
Canadian Language Benchmark- test scores
The Canadian government developed the system of CLB levels to evaluate the language scores in terms of Canadian immigration. Overall, the CLB system translates scores under the three federal language outcomes within similar equivalencies to analyze and compare them. For instance, if someone gets a high score, they will certainly obtain more points in the ranking system.
CLB Equivalency for IELTS
The table below consists of the language test equivalency chart for IELTS:
CLB Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
10 | 8 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
6 | 5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
4 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 |
CLB Equivalency for CELPIP
Get a gist of the language equivalency chart for CELPIP through the given table.
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 |
Canadian Language Benchmark Equivalency for TEF
TEF language equivalency chart above will give you a fair idea of the CLB levels for each language ability.
CLB Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
10 | 263-277 | 393-415 | 316-333 | 393-415 |
9 | 248-262 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 371-392 |
8 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 349-370 |
7 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 310-348 |
6 | 181-206 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 271-309 |
5 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 226-270 |
4 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 181-225 |
Canadian Language Benchmark Equivalency for TCF
Reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities have the following levels per the CLB equivalency chart for TCF.
CLB Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
10 | 549-699 | 16-20 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
9 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 14-15 |
8 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 12-13 |
7 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
6 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
5 | 375-405 | 6 | 369-397 | 6 |
4 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
Key Take Away
Individuals must also understand that the language needs of CLB for each immigration program will differ from one another. Furthermore, this indicates that the highest CLB levels are available for skilled candidates under the Express Entry system. Moreover, the CLB levels will vary on the basis of occupation. In some situations, applicants might need to show a higher CLB score for speaking and listening aspects. The Federal Skilled Trades Program requires CLB 5 for listening and speaking, while it asks for CLB 4 for reading and writing.