Language Proficiency for US citizen

[holyroller12]

Hey all:

First off, thanks everyone for your help and information on these forums!

I am a US citizen who has been studying and working in Canada for the past 3 years, with one year left on my current Post grad work permit.

I am looking now to apply for permanent residency and I am exploring both the Family Class (my wife of 2 years is Canadian) and Canadian Experience Class options.

For the Can Experience Class it mentions language proficiency. I am a US citizen, my first language is English and I studied Writing and English Literature in college, and I completed my Bachelor of Education with a Language Arts teachable (in Canada). I am currently a grade 8 Language Arts teacher in Saskatchewan.

My question: Do I need to do the language proficiency test? I am just wondering if this test is for folks whose first language is something other than English or French.

Thanks!

Shawn

 

[LPS]

Unfortunately, the language test requirement is for all applicants.

It's tough but at least it's fair.

 

[scylla]

You can avoid taking IELTS if your wife sponsors you through Family Class. If you apply through CEC, IELTS is mandatory.

 

[canvan14]

Oh really? I did not know IELTS is required for everyone whether their first language is English or not. Interesting to know! (Or maybe I didn't read the eligibility requirements closely enough )

 

[lcsxwtian]

I have heard of people from UK applying under CEC taking IELTS. Bet British folks would claim they speak better English than you. Not only that, IELTS is a language test initiated in Cambridge, UK. The British are in a better position to obtain a high score than you as well. ;D

If I were you I would apply under family sponsorship because under that class you are almost guaranteed to succeed. CEC, on the other hand, has a notoriously high rejection rate (25% or something). Explore the forum you will find out how many people have been rejected and asking for help here.

 

[jes_ON]

CELPIP may be a better option. (Language test is mandatory, IELTS is not). But alas, yes, the language test is mandatory for ALL applicants.

 

[LPS]

I have heard of people from UK applying under CEC taking IELTS. Bet British folks would claim they speak better English than you. Not only that, IELTS is a language test initiated in Cambridge, UK. The British are in a better position to obtain a high score than you as well. ;D

American English isn't different enough from British English to put native speakers at any disadvantage whatsoever for IELTS.

But yes, CELPIP might be a better option.

 

[jes_ON]

American English isn't different enough from British English to put native speakers at any disadvantage whatsoever for IELTS.

I didn't have to take it (I applied before the rules changed and the exam became a requirement for all), so I don't know the format of the IELTS exam. But just to get an idea, I did some online "prep questions." It had audio clips for listening comprehension, and the language was some variant of British English. I didn't understand a word! Part of that was poor audio quality, part of that was some vocabulary/idiom differences, and part of that was the accent. But if that's anything like the real exam, then - YES, Americans are at a disadvantage on the IELTS. Although I'm sure we would pass (do they also consider American spelling to be errors?), the CELPIP would likely be closer to English as we know it

 

[LPS]

^ Watch a few episodes of Coronation Street first... 8)

Really, for a test that's supposed to be international I'm surprised if they use regional accents or idioms.

 

[Dr_Midnite]

Hi

IELTS is mandatory under CEC, I am British and had to complete the test. As pointed out earlier it is tough but fair, although a little pointless as I am in my 4th year as a TFW.

It is not that difficult.

Thx

A

 

[EU_2010]

You sound like you shouldn't have a problem getting accepted in the CEC category. The processing is quite quick. If the IELTS is the only thing holding you back, it's a total non-issue.

I actually did it twice, first in 2008 when I first contemplated moving overseas and then again in 2011 when I started compiling documents to apply under CEC. Even though I passed with ease in 2008 and living and working in Canada for 2 years would likely not have deteriorated my English, the 2008 results had expired and I had to take the test again. That sucked and I can understand how this sucks for native English speakers but those are the rules and one just has to accept this and do it. People who had previously obtained passports from supposedly English-speaking countries without having learnt English properly have ruined it for everybody and I do understand why CIC now insists on proof of proper command of English regardless where you come from.

While the test will waste half a day of your life and set you back about 300$ - it's no big deal. I would recommend to familiarize yourself with the structure of the test and the types of questions, but other than that, no preparation needed. It should be very easy for you as a native English speaker. The only tough part is the time pressure.

 

[jes_ON]

IELTS is mandatory under CEC

An approved language test is mandatory. CELPIP and IELTS are the two approved English language tests.

But many still revel in the absurdity of asking an American to take a test of British English to live in Canada...

 

[canvan14]

I took IELTS in 2012 I don't remember the audio having any British accent. The person sounded American to me. I think Canadians have closer to an American accent than a British accent so even people with English as a second language, like myself, get used to the American English than British English.