Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, or CELPIP /sɛl.pɪp/, 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 two versions, CELPIP-General, and CELPIP-General LS:
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 [2][3]
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.[4]
With the recent acquisition of the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment, Paragon Testing Enterprises has retired the CELPIP-Academic Test. Test takers who were interested in taking the CELPIP-Academic Test are referred to take the CAEL Assessment, which is one of Canada's best academic English language tests.
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.[5]
Listening
- Part 1: Identifying Similar Meanings
- Part 2: Answering Short Questions
- Part 3: Listening to Problem Solving
- Part 4: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation
- Part 5: Listening for Information
- Part 6: Listening to a News Item
- Part 7: Listening to a Discussion
- Part 8: Listening to Viewpoints
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.
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 the test taker will not know which items will be unscored.
Writing
- Task 1: Writing an Email
- Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions
Speaking
- Task 0: Practice Question
- Task 1: Giving Advice
- Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience
- Task 3: Describing a Scene
- Task 4: Making Predictions
- Task 5: Comparing and Persuading
- Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
- Task 7: Expressing Opinions
- Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
Test length
The total length of all four sections is 180 minutes:
- Listening: 47 minutes
- Reading: 60 minutes
- Writing: 53 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.[6]
Listening
- Part 1: Identifying Similar Meanings
- Part 2: Answering Questions
- Part 3: Listening to Problem Solving
- Part 4: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation
- Part 5: Listening for Information
- Part 6: Listening to a News Item
- Part 7: Listening to a Discussion
- Part 8: Listening to Viewpoints
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.
Speaking
- Task 0: Practice Task
- Task 1: Giving Advice
- Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience
- Task 3: Describing a Scene
- Task 4: Making Predictions
- Task 5: Comparing and Persuading
- Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
- Task 7: Expressing Opinions
- Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
Test length
The total length for the test is 67 minutes:
- Listening: 47 minutes
- Speaking: 20 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:[7]
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 |
M | Minimal proficiency or insufficient information to assess | 0, 1, 2 |
Test Centre Locations
The CELPIP Test is available at testing centres across Canada. For a full list of locations, please click here.
Registration Costs for All CELPIP Tests
Test Fees (all provinces and territories except for Newfoundland and Labrador and Northwest Territories):
CELPIP-General Test - $265.00 + tax
CELPIP-General LS (Listening and Speaking) Test - $175.00 + tax
Test Fees (Nelson & Prince George, British Columbia only):
CELPIP-General Test - $300.00 + tax
CELPIP-General LS (Listening and Speaking) Test - $200.00 + tax
Test Fees (Northwest Territories only):
CELPIP-General Test $365.00 + tax
CELPIP-General LS (Listening and Speaking) Test - $225.00 + tax
Note: All fees are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to change without notice.[8] For the most current and updated list of the registration costs, please click here.
CELPIP Preparation Program
Test takers are also given the option of enrolling in the CELPIP Preparation Program, which is accredited by Paragon Testing Enterprises.[9] The CELPIP Preparation Program has been developed by CELPIP Test experts and acts as a bridging course for the test taker by offering up to four skills modules from which they may choose from: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Through the unique materials and specially designed lessons of the Program, students are thus able to hone and sharpen their skills for the CELPIP Test.
Key Features of the Program
The CELPIP Preparation Program has been specifically constructed to enhance the test takers' performance. The course content includes:
- Six lessons for each test component
- Practice test items for all skills modules
- Homework to reinforce learning and the development of good study habits
- Vocabulary-building activities
For the full list of institutions offering the CELPIP Preparation Program, please click here.
CELPIP Study Materials
A numerous amount of study materials, including both online and print versions, are available for the test takers on the CELPIP website.
CELPIP-General
- CELPIP-General Practice Tests, Set 1 and Set 2: Online sets consisting of two complete practice tests per set for the CELPIP-General Test. Set 2 includes sample responses for the Writing and Speaking sections.
- CELPIP-General Study Guide: A CELPIP-General Study Guide, which includes explanations of everything the test taker will experience on the test, from the test day expectations to specific skills and strategies to use on the test. This is available as an ebook, and as a paperback.
- CELPIP-General Interactive Learning Program: An online program that includes detailed analyses of Listening and Reading answer choices, as well as sample responses for the Writing and Speaking sections. The program is designed for test takers who are aiming for the scores of CELPIP Level 6 or higher.
CELPIP-General LS
- CELPIP-General LS Practice Tests, Set 1 and Set 2: Online sets of two complete practice tests per set for the CELPIP-General LS Test. Set 2 includes sample responses for the Speaking section.
- CELPIP-General LS Study Guide: A CELPIP-General LS Study Guide, which includes explanations of everything the test taker will experience on the test, from the test day expectations to specific skills and strategies to use on the test. This is available as an ebook, and as a paperback.
- CELPIP-General LS Interactive Learning Program: An online program that includes detailed analyses of the Listening answer choices, as well as sample responses for the Listening and Speaking sections. The program is designed for test takers who are aiming for the scores of CELPIP Level 6 or higher.
Other CELPIP Products
- Common CELPIP Errors: A guide that lists thirty of the most common grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and speaking errors made by CELPIP test takers. Instructions on how to avoid making similar errors are included in the guide. This is available as an ebook, and as a paperback.
- Reading your Way into English: A paperback-only collection of essays, exercises, and activities with a focus on the culture of Canada, allowing the test takers to practice their reading and writing skills for the CELPIP test.
See also
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- CIC (Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
Notes
- ↑ "English Language Tests". www.paragontesting.ca. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ↑ "Where can I take a third-party language test for my immigration application?". www.cic.gc.ca. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
- ↑ "Do I need a language test to immigrate to Canada?". www.cic.gc.ca. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
- ↑ "Acceptable language proof to apply for citizenship wizard". www.cic.gc.ca. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ↑ "CELPIP-General Test: Test Format and Scoring". www.celpiptest.ca. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
- ↑ "CELPIP-General LS Test Format and Scoring". www.celpiptest.ca. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
- ↑ "CELPIP Levels and Descriptors". www.celpiptest.ca. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ↑ "Test Fees and Payment". www.celpiptest.ca. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
- ↑ "CELPIP Preparation Program". www.paragontesting.ca. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
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)
- CELPIP Test Centre in Toronto/Mississauga and Accredited CELPIP Preparation Program (Queen's Collegiate)