The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, or CELPIP (), is an English
language assessment
Language assessment or language testing is a field of study under the umbrella of applied linguistics. Its main focus is the assessment of first, second or other language in the school, college, or university context; assessment of language use ...
tool which measures
listening
Listening is giving attention to a sound or action. When listening, a person hears what others are saying and tries to understand what it means. The act of listening involves complex affective, cognitive and behavioral processes. Affective p ...
,
reading
Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of Letter (alphabet), letters, symbols, etc., especially by Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch.
For educators and researchers, reading is a multifaceted process invo ...
,
writing
Writing is a medium of human communication which involves the representation of a language through a system of physically Epigraphy, inscribed, Printing press, mechanically transferred, or Word processor, digitally represented Symbols (semiot ...
, and
speaking
Speech is a human vocal communication using language. Each language uses phonetic combinations of vowel and consonant sounds that form the sound of its words (that is, all English words sound different from all French words, even if they are th ...
skills. The test is administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises., a subsidiary of the
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public university, public research university with campuses near Vancouver and in Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, it is British Columbia's oldest university. The university ranks a ...
(UBC). Paragon is the only Canadian company delivering
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC; french: Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is the applied title under the Federal Identity Program since 2015; the legal title is Departm ...
(IRCC) designated English proficiency tests. The CELPIP test is offered in two versions, CELPIP-General, and CELPIP-General LS.
CELPIP-General is suitable for people who need proof of English-language skills when applying for permanent resident status in
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tota ...
under the
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP),
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP),
Canadian Experience Class (CEC),
Start-up Visa Program, and various
Provincial Nominee Programs, or for
employment.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC; french: Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is the applied title under the Federal Identity Program since 2015; the legal title is Departm ...
has two approved English language tests: CELPIP-General and
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS ), is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia an ...
General Training Test: International English Language Testing System.
CELPIP-General LS is suitable for people who need proof of listening and speaking proficiency for
Canadian citizenship
Canadian nationality law details the conditions in which a person is a national of Canada. With few exceptions, almost all individuals born in the country are automatically citizens at birth. Foreign nationals may naturalize after living in ...
. The CELPIP-General LS Test is accepted by IRCC as one of only two designated English language for Canadian citizenship.
In June 2015, with the acquisition of the
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment, Paragon Testing Enterprises retired the CELPIP-Academic Test.
CELPIP Test Types
CELPIP-General
The CELPIP-General Test assesses a general level of English-language proficiency. The CELPIP-General Test is accepted as proof of English language proficiency for those applying for
Canadian Permanent Residency and to the
Association of Saskatchewan REALTORS (ASR).
CELPIP-General LS
The CELPIP-General LS Test assesses a general level of English-language proficiency. The CELPIP-General LS Test is accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a measure of listening and speaking proficiency for those applying for Canadian citizenship.
In June 2015, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented the remaining changes to the Citizenship Act. One important change is that applicants between the ages of 14 and 64 must now meet basic language requirements in listening and speaking in English or French. For minors who are between the ages of 14 and 17, registrations for the CELPIP-General LS Test are accepted.
Test Format
CELPIP-General
The test is completely computer-delivered, and consists of four sections: listening, reading, and writing and speaking. The Listening component is composed of eight parts, but only seven parts will be given during the test. The test taker will not be informed which part is to be omitted.The unscored items in the Reading and Listening section are used for test development. These unscored items can be found anywhere within the component and the test taker will not know which items will be unscored. The total length of all four sections is 180 minutes.
CELPIP-General LS
The test is computer-based, and made up of two sections: listening and speaking. The Listening component is composed of eight Listening parts, but only seven parts will be given during the test. The test taker will not be informed which part is to be omitted.
The total length of all two sections is 67 minutes.
Scoring
Scores are released 8 business days online after the test taker's test date. Two
hard copies of the Official CELPIP Score Report are then sent out with Canada Post Regular Mail.
Express Rating scores are released in the test taker's CELPIP account 3 business days after their test date. Express Rating is available, with an extra fee, for the CELPIP-General Test and the CELPIP-General LS Test. Hardcopies of the CELPIP Official Score Report are sent through Canada Post Express Post
The format and scoring of the CELPIP-General Test and the CELPIP-General LS Test are referenced to the
Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Below are the proficiency score levels and their CLB equivalents:
Unlike on the IELTS, there are no half-band scores allotted.
Band scores are only reported in increments of 1.
Test Centre Locations
There are over 33 testing centres across Canada in addition to one test center in United Arab Emirates. However, CELPIP Test sittings are currently only available in Canada and United Arab Emirates, Dubai,India.
Exam Preparation Resources
One can prepare for the exam by taking free sample tests available through CELPIP's online portal. Alternatively, Paragon provides an opportunity to take a sample test in a real testing centre environment to all prospective test-takers. Among other resources, Paragon produces a wide selection of study materials for each module of the test and also conducts CELPIP Speaking Pro sessions online.
See also
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CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment)
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IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
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TOEIC
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native speakers. It is intentionally designed to measure the everyday English skills of people working in an ...
(Test of English for International Communication)
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TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ) is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities ...
(Test of English as a Foreign Language)
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IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS ), is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia an ...
(International English Language Testing System)
Notes
References
"Becoming an Immigration Consultant." Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. Web. 25 May 2012"Skilled Workers and Professionals - Selection Factor: Language." Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 23 Oct. 2010. Web. 25 May 2012"English Proficiency Requirements." English Language Proficiency Requirements. The University of British Columbia. Web. 29 May 2012"Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)." Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 20 Jan. 2009. Web. 29 May 2012"Test Format and Scoring." CELPIP Test - Academic. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012"Test Format and Scoring." CELPIP Test - General. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012"About Paragon." Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 25 May 2012
External links
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UBC
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university with campuses near Vancouver and in Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, it is British Columbia's oldest university. The university ranks among the top three ...
(University of British Columbia)
IRCC(Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
{{language tests
English language tests
Education in Canada