Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2012) |
The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) is an English language assessment tool which measures listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. The test is administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises.,[1] a subsidiary of the University of British Columbia (UBC). The test is offered in three versions, CELPIP-General, CELPIP-General LS and CELPIP-Academic:
CELPIP-General is suitable for people who need proof of English-language skills for immigration to Canada 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.
Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada designated English language tests:
- CELPIP-General: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
- IELTS 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. The CELPIP-General LS Test is accepted by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as one of only two approved English language tests for Canadian citizenship.[2]
CELPIP-Academic is suitable for individuals seeking to become Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) in their applications to Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) and individuals applying for admission to various British Columbia universities and colleges. It is also applicable to universities and educational institutes across Canada. [3] It is one of the five English language proficiency options accredited by ICCRC for RCIC applicants.[4]
Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) required scores for the CELPIP-Academic are as follows:
- CELPIP-Academic: 4H for listening, speaking, reading and writing
CELPIP Test Format
CELPIP-General
The CELPIP-General Test assesses a general level of English-language proficiency. The test is computer-based, and made up of four sections: listening, reading, and writing and speaking.
Listening
- Part 1: Identifying Similar Meanings
- Part 2: Answering Questions
- Part 3: Listening to a Conversation I
- Part 4: Listening to a Conversation II
- Part 5: Listening to a News Item
- Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints
- Part 7: Unscored Items
Unscored Items: The Listening component contains unscored items used for test development. These unscored items can be found anywhere within the Listening component and you will not know which items will be unscored.
Reading
- Part 1: Reading Correspondence
- Part 2: Reading a Diagram
- Part 3: Reading for Information
- Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints
- Part 5: Unscored Items
Unscored Items: The Reading component contains unscored items used for test development. These unscored items can be found anywhere within the Reading component and you will not know which items will be unscored.
Writing
- Part 1: Writing an Email
- Part 2: Responding to an Opinion Survey
Speaking
- Part 0: Practice Question
- Part 1: Giving Advice
- Part 2: Talking about a Personal Experience
- Part 3: Describing a Scene
- Part 4: Making Predictions
- Part 5: Comparing and Persuading
- Part 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
- Part 7: Expressing Opinions
- Part 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
Registration costs
- $265 CAD + tax
Test length
The total length of all three sections is 180 minutes:
- Listening: 40 minutes
- Reading: 60 minutes
- Writing: 60 minutes
- Speaking: 20 minutes
CELPIP-General LS
The CELPIP-General LS Test assesses a general level of English-language proficiency. The test is computer-based, and made up of two sections: listening and speaking.
Listening
- Part 1: Identifying Similar Meanings
- Part 2: Answering Questions
- Part 3: Listening to a Conversation I
- Part 4: Listening to a Conversation II
- Part 5: Listening to a News Item
- Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints
- Part 7: Unscored Items
Unscored Items: The Listening component contains unscored items used for test development. These unscored items can be found anywhere within the Listening component and you will not know which items will be unscored.
Speaking
- Part 0: Practice Question
- Part 1: Giving Advice
- Part 2: Talking about a Personal Experience
- Part 3: Describing a Scene
- Part 4: Making Predictions
- Part 5: Comparing and Persuading
- Part 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
- Part 7: Expressing Opinions
- Part 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
Registration costs
- $175 CAD + tax
Test length
The total length for the test is 60 minutes:
- Listening: 40 minutes
- Speaking: 20 minutes
CELPIP-Academic
The CELPIP-Academic Test assesses a higher level of English-language proficiency. It is fully delivered by computer and uses Canadian English and accents.
Listening
The listening section measures an individual's level of understanding spoken English in everyday situations, and has the same parts as the General test.[5]
- Part 1: Matching Statements to Pictures
- Part 2: Answering Questions
- Part 3: Identifying Similar Meanings
- Part 4: Comprehending Dialogues
- Part 5: Listening to Conversations
Speaking
The speaking section measures an individual's ability to communicate orally in English, and has the same parts as the General test.[6]
- Part 1: Answering General Questions
- Part 2: Interpreting Graphic and/or Tabular Materials
- Part 3: Telephone Role Play, Conversation, and News Item
- Part 4: Oral Response to a Topic
Academic reading and writing
The academic reading and writing section assesses an individual's proficiency in basic college- or university-level reading and writing. It includes the following parts:[7]
- Part 1: Sentence Structure
- Part 2: English Usage
- Part 3: Reading Comprehension
- Part 4: Essay Writing
Registration costs
- $250 CAD + tax
Test length
The total length for all three sections is 210 minutes:
- Listening: 30 minutes
- Speaking: 30 minutes
- Academic reading and writing: 150 minutes
Scoring
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:[8]
| CELPIP Level | CELPIP Descriptor | CLB Level |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 12 |
| 11 | Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 11 |
| 10 | Highly effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 10 |
| 9 | Effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 9 |
| 8 | Good proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 8 |
| 7 | Adequate proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 7 |
| 6 | Developing proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 6 |
| 5 | Acquiring proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 5 |
| 4 | Adequate proficiency for daily life activities | 4 |
| 3 | Some proficiency in limited contexts | 3 |
| 2 | Minimal proficiency | 2 |
| 1 | Almost no proficiency | 1 |
| 0 | Did not attempt or insufficient information to assess | 0 |
Test Centre Locations
The CELPIP Test is available at testing centres across Canada. For a full list of locations, please click here.
See also
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Notes
- ^ "Test Format and Scoring." CELPIP Test. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012.
- ^ "Federal Skilled Worker Program - 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.
- ^ "Becoming an Immigration Consultant." Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. Web. 25 May 2012.
- ^ "Test Format and Scoring - Academic." CELPIP Test. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012.
- ^ "Test Format and Scoring - Academic." CELPIP Test. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012.
- ^ "Test Format and Scoring - Academic." CELPIP Test. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012.
- ^ "Test Format and Scoring." CELPIP Test. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012.
References
- "Becoming an Immigration Consultant." Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. Web. 25 May 2012. <https://www.iccrc-crcic.ca/students/becomingConsultant.cfm>.
- "Skilled Workers and Professionals - Selection Factor: Language." Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 23 Oct. 2010. Web. 25 May 2012. <http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/language-testing.asp>.
- "English Proficiency Requirements." English Language Proficiency Requirements. The University of British Columbia. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/english-proficiency-requirements>.
- "Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)." Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 20 Jan. 2009. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2009/ob094.asp>.
- "Test Format and Scoring." CELPIP Test - Academic. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.celpiptest.ca/celpip-academic/about-celpip-a/test-format-and-content/>.
- "Test Format and Scoring." CELPIP Test - General. Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.celpiptest.ca/celpip-general/about-celpip-g/test-format-and-scoring/>.
- "About Paragon." Paragon Testing Enterprises. Web. 25 May 2012. <http://www.paragontesting.ca/about/>.
External links
- CELPIP Website
- CELPIP Facebook Page
- CELPIP Twitter Page
- UBC (University of British Columbia)
- CIC (Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada)