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Language proficiency - semester at US university enough?

ronypete

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Jun 19, 2013
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Hi there, I'm wondering if a few classes at a US state university are enough to proof English proficiency? I've been in Canada for 5 years and I've been fluent in English since childhood. Majority of Canadians don't notice that I'm foreign right away. If I have to do a test, which one should I do? Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General Test or IELTS?
 

razerblade

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Feb 21, 2014
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Hi there, I'm wondering if a few classes at a US state university are enough to proof English proficiency? I've been in Canada for 5 years and I've been fluent in English since childhood. Majority of Canadians don't notice that I'm foreign right away. If I have to do a test, which one should I do? Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General Test or IELTS?
Do you have a degree, diploma, or transcripts for the few classes that you did ?

According to the guide, need the following:
  • A degree, diploma, certificate or official transcripts from a secondary or post-secondary education program showing you studied in English or French, in Canada or abroad.
Did you have to provide English language proof for your PR application ? If so, you can submit the same expired results.
 

ronypete

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Jun 19, 2013
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I think I could maybe get those old transcripts. I finished some economics classed at a state university but I didn't do an entire degree or diploma. It was just a semester abroad. For PR I didn't have to do it because I was sponsored by family. No idea if that's enough or how I could find out.
 

Quink

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Oct 28, 2014
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I think I could maybe get those old transcripts. I finished some economics classed at a state university but I didn't do an entire degree or diploma. It was just a semester abroad. For PR I didn't have to do it because I was sponsored by family. No idea if that's enough or how I could find out.
In my situation I was looking at what it would take to get my transcripts (I also did partial study but didn't get a degree, and have spoken English from birth). I decided that it was all too much hassle and I wasn't even sure if it would be acceptable, so I just went and took an IELTS General test. Takes half a day, costs $300, and by the sounds of it you'll easily meet the benchmark score (it's quite low). Then you won't have to worry about your application being returned at all. Worth it in my opinion.
 

thecoolguysam

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May 25, 2011
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Hi there, I'm wondering if a few classes at a US state university are enough to proof English proficiency? I've been in Canada for 5 years and I've been fluent in English since childhood. Majority of Canadians don't notice that I'm foreign right away. If I have to do a test, which one should I do? Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General Test or IELTS?
It seems to be that your US course was not completed fully, it may not be accepted as a language proof. The best bet would be either get IELTS General or CELPIP-G or CELPIP-General Listening and Speaking done.
 

spyfy

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May 8, 2015
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Hi there, I'm wondering if a few classes at a US state university are enough to proof English proficiency? I've been in Canada for 5 years and I've been fluent in English since childhood. Majority of Canadians don't notice that I'm foreign right away. If I have to do a test, which one should I do? Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General Test or IELTS?
I would recommend doing the CELPIP instead of IELTS. In fact, CELPIP has a Listening/Speaking option (specifically for Canadian Citizenship) which is faster and cheaper. It's just $185 dollars, cheaper than the IELTS. On top of that, if I am informed correctly, IELTS means that after finishing writing and reading, you will possibly have to wait hours for your in-person-interview for speaking skills because they in fact do that in person. When I took the CELPIP, all I had to do was speak into a microphone and done. It is 100% Computer operated. Much less complicated. On the other hand, there are pages to fill with people who had horrendous IELTS experiences.

So CELPIP LS seems to be a much cheaper and faster option.
 
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avigtr

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Jan 11, 2012
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I would recommend doing the CELPIP instead of IELTS. In fact, CELPIP has a Listening/Speaking option (specifically for Canadian Citizenship) which is faster and cheaper. It's just $185 dollars, cheaper than the IELTS. On top of that, if I am informed correctly, IELTS means that after finishing writing and reading, you will possibly have to wait hours for your in-person-interview for speaking skills because they in fact do that in person. When I took the CELPIP, all I had to do was speak into a microphone and done. It is 100% Computer operated. Much less complicated. On the other hand, there are pages to fill with people who had horrendous IELTS experiences.

So CELPIP LS seems to be a much cheaper and faster option.
I totally agree. CELPIP LS test is cheaper and very efficient and well organized. The papers they send you with a stamp and a picture, makes you feel proud as if you finished a Quantum Physics PHD ;)
 

ronypete

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Jun 19, 2013
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Yeah I think I'll just do the test so I don't have to deal with all the hassle and even possible return of application. From the sound of it the CELPIP seems like the right choice for me. Doing the speaking part with a person seems better with the other one but whatever. CELPIP is also quite a bit cheaper at 185 in Vancouver.