The IRCC recently gave preliminary clearance to a new language test for immigrants applying under the economic category.
According to the report of IRCC, the test will probably be used by the beginning to middle of 2023.
At present, the only four recognized organizations are IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, and TCF for English, followed by TCF and TCF for French.
Despite some preliminary difficulties during the pandemic, the number of certified Organizations remains to be adequate to fulfill the need of citizens and immigrants according to the IRCC. The IRCC must nonetheless make adjustments as an increasing number of businesses that offer language testing are applying for accreditation.
The existing process for designating organizations is cumbersome, challenging, and “ineffectively transparent.”
As per the memorandum, over the next 12 months, IRCC will explore possible initiatives and enhancements. The number of organizations engaged in the designation is anticipated to rise after these modifications are implemented. IRCC is currently free to enter into as many contractual agreements and potential language testing providers as they wish.
There are now vague departmental roles and responsibilities related to language tests, which have implications for both policy and governance. The new policy priorities and file management responsibilities for the language designation team for the Immigration Branch at IRCC should advance.
In many cases, the specifics of policy priorities were suppressed. But as far as we know, the main objective of IRCC at this time is to complete and sign a service agreement with an unknown organization to create an official designation and start the implementation process. Carrying out policy analyses on new concerns is one of the intermediate priorities. Long-term priorities are therefore focused on conducting a more thorough analysis of the language designation system, taking into account the recently discovered evidence results relating to fundamental technical designation criteria and language competency benchmark levels.
IRCC is evaluating how well the CLBs match the CEFR
The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), when compared to the common European Framework of Reference, is thought by some to be overly detailed for testing purposes, so the IRCC is actively looking into this (CEFR). Instead of a one to seven scale, participants in the CEFR test are given their results on the following alphabetical scale: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.
According to the document, additional study is necessary to determine whether all accepted language test components have the same level of CLB in terms of test difficulty and objective.
The IRCC asserts that French testing must be included
In particular, the IRCC’s obligation to assist the immigration of francophones across the nation should be taken into account in the policy objectives and program design of these initiatives.
This paper predicts an increase in the need for both French designated organizations to increase their testing skills and the amount of new French testing companies applying for the designation. The report noted that although TEF and TCF awarding organizations are prepared to handle the increased demand, this initiative will better position the department for any potential increase in demand, particularly by designating additional French language tests. through a more efficient process.
An overview of language testing
IRCC has accepted language proficiency test results only from authorized organizations since 2010.
To allow applicants for immigration to demonstrate their language skills while assuring a fair and transparent process, the current policy was changed to only accept test results from accredited independent testing firms.
For the purposes of determining the level of language ability of immigration applicants, the Minister of Immigration has the ability to appoint any language testing institution and authorize any particular language test. This responsibility falls to the Director of Economic Immigration Program and Policies.
The department designed the designation process based on a variety of considerations, including regulatory requirements, policy and program objectives as well as operational demands, even though immigration regulations provide the basis for the identification of organizations. Any organization conducting the language test can apply for the designation by submitting documents that meet the requirements laid down by IRCC.
Who must pass a language test?
Candidates must pass a prescribed language test in English or French to be eligible for most Canadian economic class immigration programs. The rationale for evaluating language proficiency is that studies conducted by the Government of Canada show that it is an important factor in determining an immigrant’s ability to integrate into Canadian society and economy.
Since they have been admitted to Canada for social and humanitarian reasons, family and refugee immigrants are exempt from taking the language test. To apply for Canadian citizenship, adults between the ages of 18 and 54 must prove their linguistic proficiency in English or French. Language test results may be presented, or they may provide evidence in other ways that have been authorized by the IRCC.
Temporary foreign workers are exempt from this requirement, although foreign students are required to provide documentation demonstrating that they have the language proficiency required to be successful in Canadian educational settings. However, the Canadian government has its own standards for language exams that it will accept in the study permit approval process. Each Canadian educational institution that has been granted authorization has its own requirements for demonstrating language proficiency.
Upcoming steps
To enhance the language designation system, the Immigration Branch of IRCC will formulate proactive measures. The most crucial actions to enhance the IRCC’s current aims are examining the designation procedure to increase efficiency and transparency, strengthening internal and external communication regarding the overall framework, and fostering interest in more French language testing firms.
In order to satisfy the continued growth of language assessment, the Immigration Branch will investigate the viability of creating a language certification program with clear leadership and program roles and the capacity to support a more structured and unified approach to language testing. A specialized program will help IRCC in extending its rules while the present open intake procedure for the language test designation will remain in place.
