Language proficiency determines immigrants’ ability to succeed in Canada

The proficiency of immigrants in the official languages of Canada has a major role to play in determining their success in Canada, shows data from the 2021 Canadian census. According to the census data, 9 out of 10 people who immigrated to Canada between 2016 and 2021 are able to speak in English or French. Most of these immigrants, 69.4% to be precise, had reported their mother tongue to be a non-official language of Canada. But 92.7% also said that they speak either English or French at home, alone or with another language. 

Official language proficiency is considered as one of the major factors that determine the ability of an immigrant to succeed in Canada. In Express Entry immigration, candidates with higher official language proficiency get more Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) score points. 

According to a report from Statistics Canada(StatsCan), language ability is a primary factor in boosting the short-term, medium-term and long-term earnings of Canadian immigrants.  

Language proficiency for Canada migration

Canada has two official languages- English and French. In order to prove their proficiency in one of these languages, Canada immigration applicants must submit the results of one of the approved language tests for English or French. For Engish, the approved langauge tests are Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP),  International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training and Pearson Test of English.The approved French language tests are Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada) or the Test d’Evaluation du Français (TEF Canada). The language proficiency level required for qualifying is different for different immigration pathways. 

The language proficiency level required for qualifying is different for different immigration pathways. For example, for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the candidates require language proficiency equal to Canadian Language Benchmark or CLB 7 in all the four abilities, which are writing, reading, listening, and speaking. At the same time, certain other immigration programs require only language proficiency level equal to CLB 4. 

Do you wish to know more about language proficiency and other requirements for migrating to Canada? Talk to the Canada immigration experts of CanApprove. Contact us now.