Canada is a hugely popular destination for people seeking to migrate and start a new life. A country made of immigrants, 25% of the population of Canada is born overseas. Though French is spoken by a quarter of the people, English is the primary language in Canada. For those eligible to become a Canadian national, to gain citizenship, there is a need to prove their language proficiency. People are required to show competence in English or French. This article discusses how to prove your English language skills to acquire Canadian citizenship.
Who Is Required To Prove Their English Skills?
Anyone aged between 18 and 54 and seeking Canadian citizenship must demonstrate that their English speaking and listening abilities are of a good standard. The Canadian citizenship language requirements state that people must prove their language skills are at Level 4 Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) grade. It is a ruling that came into force in 2012.
Minors and others aged over 54 do not have to prove their language competence.
How To Prove Your English Language Skills
There are three ways to meet proof of English proficiency. They are:
- By proving you attended a recognized course or education program which was taught in an English-speaking country,
- Results from the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) approved English language test, which you passed,
- English language training programs that the Canadian government funded.
Meeting The Language Requirement Through Education
Let’s assume you attended a secondary/post-secondary education program in an English-speaking country. If you graduated by obtaining a Certificate, Diploma, or Transcript, they are valid to prove your English for the Canadian citizenship language requirement. Secondary and post-secondary establishments will include schools, colleges, and universities.
It is also acceptable if you gained a degree from an English University in a non-English speaking country. Such institutions include the National University of Singapore, the University of Hong Kong, and the Technical University of Munich in Germany. You must take a language test if you cannot obtain certification to prove graduation.
Countries Where The Main Language Is English
English is the main language in the countries listed below:
- Australia,
- Barbados,
- Canada,
- Ireland,
- Jamaica,
- New Zealand,
- United Kingdom,
- The USA.
These are just a few of the top English-speaking countries. If you were schooled in these countries and any other nation where English is the primary language, you simply have to provide the graduation documentation. By doing so, the language section of the citizenship application is complete.
Language Programs That Are Government Funded
There are provincial and federal language programs that could be used as language proof. When a citizenship application is submitted, a person can attach a certificate received from the Federal backed Language Instruction For Newcomers to Canada (LINC) course. The language certification is acceptable as long as the listening and speaking results are at level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmark. For permanent residents or protected people, the course is free of charge. Language programs from British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan are also acceptable for citizenship applications.
Meeting The Language Requirement With An English Test
If you cannot meet the requirements through the two categories listed above, you can prove your language abilities through an Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) approved language test. There are 3 programs that the IRCC recognizes. They are:
- The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General),
- The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General Listening Speaking (CELPIP General-LS), and
- International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS – General)
In Canada, many English tests are offered by the private sector. But when it comes to immigration and naturalization, the best English certificate comes from the above courses.
The price of these courses starts from CAD$200.
English Language Skills Are Essential
Proving English language skills is one of the main requirements for acquiring Canadian citizenship. It ensures people can function in society and integrate well in Canada. If you are from an English-speaking country, the process will be simple. Others will need to take a language test. The majority of people who have lived in Canada for a long time pass these tests with ease.
