Canadian Language Benchmark Language Standards
As of July 1, 2012, most applicants for semi- and low-skilled occupations under the PNP program will be required to first take a language proficiency test and obtain a minimum standard of CLB 4 across all four categories: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
The CLB is the national standard used in Canada for describing, measuring and recognizing the English language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada. It provides a descriptive scale of communicative proficiency in English as a second language, expressed as benchmarks or reference points.
The NCLC are used for assessment of French language proficiency.
CLB 4 is considered “Basic Proficiency” and means that an individual being tested who “meets” CLB 4:
can communicate basic needs and personal experience;
can follow, with considerable effort, simple formal and informal conversations;
can read a simple set of instructions, plain language; and
can write short messages, postcards, notes or directions.
Applicants must provide valid results from a language test administered by a designated testing agency to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The acceptable tests are:
the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training;
the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General); and
the Test d’évaluation de français (to test proficiency in French).
No other evidence of language proficiency will be accepted.