Are you planning to work, study, or permanently moving to Canada? If the answer is yes then you will need to take an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Favourable results from the IELTS test demonstrate that you are able to communicate well in English as a foreigner. This is an important part of the immigration assessment process because it will help you find a job in Canada, become a valued member of Canadian society, and help you navigate through your studies and social interactions with ease.
Scoring well also increases your chances of getting a Canadian visa. Let’s go through everything you need to know about achieving a good IELTS score for Canada PR.
What is IELTS?
Canada makes use of IELTS as an English examination tool for immigrants applying for immigration, work visas or study permits. Whether you apply via the Express Entry System, the Provincial Nominee Program, or any other immigration pathways, an IELTS General Training test or IELTS Academic test will support your application for Canadian immigration. It is accepted by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as well as tertiary institutions around the country. Your English proficiency will be tested on a scale of 0 to 9 in four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
What are the minimum IELTS requirements For Canada Permanent Residency?
To be eligible for various immigration programs and visas, you will have to prove your English language (or French) abilities. The required level of proficiency for a non-native English speaker depends on the organization they are employed by or the institution they study at. Each of these should establish their own minimum IELTS score, according to their needs. There are however specific requirements for different immigration programs set by IRCC
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is Canada’s standardized method of measuring Language proficiency
These are as follows:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) minimum level for all abilities: CLB 7 for first official language and CLB 5 for second official language
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): CLB 5 for speaking and listening skills and CLB 4 for reading and writing skills.
- Canadian Express Class Program (CEC): The skills you need for this program depend on which NOC your job falls under. For NOC 0 or A the minimum requirement would be CLB 7 and for NOC B it would be CLB 5
Candidates who apply to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with NOC levels C and D will have to score a minimum CLB 4 in all of the abilities.YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
How is IELTS assessed?
There are four different sections in an IELTS assessment: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. You will receive points for each section, and then an overall band score. Each section is important, as they will give you an idea of how you’ll deal with real life situations in Canada.
There are two kinds of IELTS tests: the General Training Test and the Academic Test.
- The IELTS General Training test examines English proficiency through practical exercises that portray everyday situations. This is the test you are required to take in order to worm or immigrate to Canada.
- The IELTS Academic test checks English proficiency required for formal learning environments. This test can be taken if you solely wish to study in Canada.
The four sections you’ll be examined on.
Speaking
Speaking is as big a part of life as breathing, so naturally it will be the skill you utitlize the most. Because Canadians are quite a friendly bunch, you’ll be spending a lot of time chatting while getting to know your community and settling in. The manner in which you communicate will definitely play a role in how quickly you become comfortable within your surroundings while exposed to a new culture and lifestyle.
The IELTS Speaking test will prepare you to converse with people around you at work, at a post secondary institution and in your community. It will also guide you in adopting a conversation style that sounds natural, clear and easy to understand, even if you have a heavy accent.
Listening
Being able to fully grasp what someone says to us during a conversation is a major part of adapting in a new country. You can’t plan where you’ll find yourself each day because life is unpredictable. The moment you set foot in Canada, you’ll deal with an immigration officer at the airport, or listen out for details on a connecting flight to another province; you’ll eventually start your new job or university; need to ask for directions or order a coffee.
Understanding a new accent or keeping up with the speed at which someone speaks a different language can cause be stressful. In the listening section of the IELTS General Training test or IELTS Academic test you’ll have to demonstrate that you’re able to understand what’s being said during conversations or monologues, and you also have to provide a response. To prepare you for different settings tasks are delivered in different accents and contexts, according to real social interaction possibilities.
Reading
Reading is another integral part of our daily lives, whether it’s checking ingredients on food labels, a work document or directions on a map. When you are able to read, you’re fully able to understand things even if they’re not that clear when spoken. In other words, reading allows you to process things without speaking.
The IELTS General Training reading test will take you through the different reading styles, from scanning through things, to probing for important information to understanding the context of the writer. You’ll examine different types of reading material, from newspapers to magazines, company literature and advertisements to realistically prepare for every day reading.
Writing
In Canada, there’ll be moments that call for written communication. You may have to leave a note for your neighbor, send a thank you card or provide feedback on a product or service. When it comes to your career, you’ll probably have to put together supporting documents for a job application or if you’re a student, you’ll have tons of papers to submit in English. Being able to write in a clear, concise manner is, therefore, of great importance.
The IELTS General Training test will prepare you for a range of different situations that require writing, including filling out paperwork or adding your voice to issues that affect the general public.
What does band in IELTS mean?
The IELTS test results are meant to be fairly easy to interpret. Results are released as band scores on a scale from 1, which is the the lowest to 9 which is the the highest.
It should be noted that there is actually no set ‘pass mark’ for IELTS. The IELTS score required is set by companies, universities and immigration authorities. You would need to determine the kind of score you’ll need before you start your university course or job or depending on your immigration channel. You’ll need to think about the level of English you’ll need for your specific undertaking, so if you are dealing with highly academic literature or will be doing very complicated training in your job, you’ll probably need a higher score.
IELTS is one of the most important boxes to tick off in your Canadian Immigration application process. Having a clear understanding of what your IELTS score for Canada PR should look like is a essential, as it will affect your immigration application status. You will have to make sure that that this is in line with the pathway you choose, your career and university or college requirements.
Remember, there is no need to be intimidated by the IELTS test. By taking it, you’ll be able to gauge how you will cope with engaging with your new community in Canada and finding your way around your new city and province.You can pass really well if you prepare thoroughly. Canadinavisa.org has a great IELTS course that will guide towards IELTS success and make sure get the best possible IELTS score for Canada PR. Contact us for assistance etc.
