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Evidence of language

MontToron

Full Member
Jan 17, 2014
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Dear All,

I have a question related to the evidence of language proficiency. I do not have a degree from Canada, but I have been studying in Canada for more than 5 years now. So, providing a transcript of my current degree (which is not yet completed) and proof of enrollment would be sufficient as an evidence of language ?

By the way, my undergrad was also in a university where the language of instruction is English (I have a 6 years old letter from that department certifying that fact). So, do you think that a 'copy' of transcript of my undergrad degree along with that letter would be good, if the transcript for the unfinished Canadian degree won't be a valid proof ? As a side note, I cannot send a sealed copy of transcript of my undergrad degree (our university doesn't issue more than one transcript (unless it is lost) -- I will have to use the photocopy).

A good friend of mine told me that the transcript for the Canadian (unfinished) degree would itself be sufficient, as they will see that I have been studying here for >5 years now. But, maybe some you guys have any personal experience or information on this topic ?

I don't want to wait to register for the language test and become ineligible to apply with the current news of probable changes in the residency requirements ...

Your advice will be much appreciated !
 

keesio

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MontToron said:
By the way, my undergrad was also in a university where the language of instruction is English (I have a 6 years old letter from that department certifying that fact). So, do you think that a 'copy' of transcript of my undergrad degree along with that letter would be good, if the transcript for the unfinished Canadian degree won't be a valid proof ? As a side note, I cannot send a sealed copy of transcript of my undergrad degree (our university doesn't issue more than one transcript (unless it is lost) -- I will have to use the photocopy).
If English is the language of the university you did your undergrad degree in, then that should be enough. A copy of your diploma is all you should need.
 

jujuberanch

Hero Member
Mar 26, 2013
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7
1. You cannot use the transcripts from the Canadian university where you are studying right now as the language proof, simply because you have NOT finished the program yet.

2. Did you earn your undergrad diploma from a university in an English speaking country (US, UK, Australia, NZ, etc)? If yes, then that diploma alone should suffice the needs.

Never trust hearsay. Always independently verify any information that you receive on their official website.

MontToron said:
Dear All,

I have a question related to the evidence of language proficiency. I do not have a degree from Canada, but I have been studying in Canada for more than 5 years now. So, providing a transcript of my current degree (which is not yet completed) and proof of enrollment would be sufficient as an evidence of language ?

By the way, my undergrad was also in a university where the language of instruction is English (I have a 6 years old letter from that department certifying that fact). So, do you think that a 'copy' of transcript of my undergrad degree along with that letter would be good, if the transcript for the unfinished Canadian degree won't be a valid proof ? As a side note, I cannot send a sealed copy of transcript of my undergrad degree (our university doesn't issue more than one transcript (unless it is lost) -- I will have to use the photocopy).

A good friend of mine told me that the transcript for the Canadian (unfinished) degree would itself be sufficient, as they will see that I have been studying here for >5 years now. But, maybe some you guys have any personal experience or information on this topic ?

I don't want to wait to register for the language test and become ineligible to apply with the current news of probable changes in the residency requirements ...

Your advice will be much appreciated !
 

MontToron

Full Member
Jan 17, 2014
32
0
jujuberanch said:
1. You cannot use the transcripts from the Canadian university where you are studying right now as the language proof, simply because you have NOT finished the program yet.

2. Did you earn your undergrad diploma from a university in an English speaking country (US, UK, Australia, NZ, etc)? If yes, then that diploma alone should suffice the needs.

Never trust hearsay. Always independently verify any information that you receive on their official website.
If English is the language of the university you did your undergrad degree in, then that should be enough. A copy of your diploma is all you should need.

Thanks keesio and jujuberanch !

No, I didn't do my undergrad in an English speaking country. It would have made it easier ;)

I think I will attach the copy of my undergrad transcript and that letter that I mentioned before. In addition, I can attach the UofT transcripts of 5 years of grad school education as well, with a letter stating the expected date of graduation (in August) and another letter for the proof of enrollment. The UofT transcripts, I guess, won't hurt either. Technically, if they think about it -- transcripts are transcripts, whether they are for the completed degree or an uncompleted one ;D

In any case, I don't think I have a lot of options. If i wait and register for the test, there are more chances that I 'will' become ineligible. Sending these documents, I guess, there are still less chances of getting my application returned and ending up waiting with other people affected by the upcoming changes in eligibility.

Thanks again !
 

Msafiri

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Nov 18, 2012
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1. Your 6 year old letter from previous institution is a non starter.

2. Your proposed plan to send transcripts of a yet to be completed course is also a non starter.

The instructions clearly state the relevant course should be completed and its full transcripts/ diploma should be provided. The Minister can waive various requirements including the language on medical grounds. You are best doing a 3rd party test to avoid the risk of your application being returned as incomplete. Messing around with CIC in the hope that they will somehow decide in your favor despite not following simple instructions is a risky strategy but hey you may just pull it off!
 

MontToron

Full Member
Jan 17, 2014
32
0
Msafiri said:
1. Your 6 year old letter from previous institution is a non starter.

2. Your proposed plan to send transcripts of a yet to be completed course is also a non starter.

The instructions clearly state the relevant course should be completed and its full transcripts/ diploma should be provided. The Minister can waive various requirements including the language on medical grounds. You are best doing a 3rd party test to avoid the risk of your application being returned as incomplete. Messing around with CIC in the hope that they will somehow decide in your favor despite not following simple instructions is a risky strategy but hey you may just pull it off!
You are right that the transcripts of a yet to be completed course is probably not valid. But I am not sure why a 6 year old letter from a previous institution should not be valid ? I had got that letter before I came here. And, if I think about it logically, the letter addresses the issue that "I studied in place where the medium of instruction was English". That fact doesn't change even if the letter gets 50 years old ;) Don't you think ?
 

Msafiri

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Nov 18, 2012
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Show me in the instructions where a letter is acceptable and I'll pay your application fee for you. Actually scratch that I need the 200 bucks to get a loved one something for Valentines. Good luck with the letter.
 

MontToron

Full Member
Jan 17, 2014
32
0
Msafiri said:
Show me in the instructions where a letter is acceptable and I'll pay your application fee for you. Actually scratch that I need the 200 bucks to get a loved one something for Valentines. Good luck with the letter.
Lolzzz ... I am not betting against the Champion members like you !!! But doesn't the following point lead to the same conclusion ...

2. Proof of completion of secondary or post-secondary education in French or English includes:

A diploma or transcripts from a secondary or post-secondary school indicating the successful completion of a program, in Canada or abroad. or
A diploma or certificate from a secondary or post-secondary school indicating successful graduation, in Canada or abroad.

Here they say, in Canada or abroad ... So, if a country other than Canada is under discussion, then I expect that one has to provide a proof that the language of instruction was one of these two languages ? Doesn't that make sense ?
 

Msafiri

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Nov 18, 2012
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No doubt - the proof has to be transcripts and/ or a diploma. A letter on its own is no good. For all CIC know the letter could be fake printed on a laser printer by you/ a friend etc..they don't have time to resolve the veracity of a letter.
 

MontToron

Full Member
Jan 17, 2014
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Msafiri said:
No doubt - the proof has to be transcripts and/ or a diploma. A letter on its own is no good. For all CIC know the letter could be fake printed on a laser printer by you/ a friend etc..they don't have time to resolve the veracity of a letter.
Of course my friend, I will attach a copy of my transcript as well (which is in English too - they should be able to read it) ... On top of that, I am planning to add the letter ...
 

Msafiri

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Nov 18, 2012
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My 'Champion' bad - sure thing send the letter as proof of the course being in English. Do you have a syllabus of the course that you can attach too?
 

MontToron

Full Member
Jan 17, 2014
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Msafiri said:
My 'Champion' bad - sure thing send the letter as proof of the course being in English. Do you have a syllabus of the course that you can attach too?
Thanks a lot for the useful input ...

No, unfortunately, not ... But, maybe, I can try to find the prospectus on the website and who knows, I might get lucky ... Another question : should I send the original letter or a copy of it would be sufficient (I have been keeping that letter for years, for occasions like this - who knows, I might need it again some other time, and then I might not even be able to get another letter in any way) ... I can get the copy certified/notarized, if that would be necessary ...
 

keesio

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MontToron said:
Of course my friend, I will attach a copy of my transcript as well (which is in English too - they should be able to read it) ... On top of that, I am planning to add the letter ...
Do you have a copy of your diploma? I think that is all you need.
 

MontToron

Full Member
Jan 17, 2014
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keesio said:
Do you have a copy of your diploma? I think that is all you need.
Yes, I do ... I was planning for adding the letter (or a copy of it) as well, just to make sure that they don't have much room to raise an objection ...
 

MontToron

Full Member
Jan 17, 2014
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Msafiri said:
My 'Champion' bad - sure thing send the letter as proof of the course being in English. Do you have a syllabus of the course that you can attach too?
Nope, no course descriptions even in the prospectus ... I guess, just a copy of the transcript and that of the letter is all I can do ...