CELPIP is a recognized English language

English language

English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

 assessment tool that measures listening, speaking

SPEAKING

In sociolinguistics, SPEAKING or the SPEAKING model, is a model socio-linguistic study developed by Dell Hymes...

, reading

Reading (process)

Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning . It is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas...

, and writing

Writing

Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...

 skills. The test is administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises, a subsidiary of The University of British Columbia (UBC).

The test is offered in two versions: CELPIP-General (CELPIP-G) and CELPIP-Academic (CELPIP-A).

• CELPIP-G is suitable for people who need proof of English language skills for immigration
  Immigration
  Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
  
   to Canada
  Canada
  Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
  
   under the Skilled Workers and Professionals Class or for employment
  Employment
  Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
  
  .

• CELPIP-A is suitable for members of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants
  Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants
  The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants was an independent, not-for-profit, self-regulatory body for immigration consultants. It was incorporated on 8 October 2003 and became law from 1 April 2004...
  
   (CSIC), Immigration Practitioner Students, and candidates applying to the undergraduate program or graduate studies at The University of British Columbia
  University of British Columbia
  The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
  
  (UBC).

CELPIP-G

The CELPIP-General Test (CELPIP-G Test) assesses a general level of English language proficiency. This test is computer-based and is made up of three sections: Listening, Speaking, and Reading and Writing.

Listening

The Listening section measures an individual's level of understanding spoken English in everyday situations and includes the following parts:

1. Matching Statements to Pictures
2. Answering Questions
3. Identifying Similar Meanings
4. Comprehending Dialogues
5. Listening to Conversations

Speaking

The Speaking section measures an individual's ability to communicate orally in English and includes the following parts:

1. Answering General Questions
2. Interpreting Graphic and/or Tabular Materials
3. Telephone Role Play, Conversation, and News Item
4. Oral Response to a Topic

General Reading and Writing

The General Reading and Writing section assesses an individual's general reading comprehension and composition skills. It includes the following parts:

1. Reading and Responding to a Letter
2. Reading Diagrams and Tables
3. Completing a Paragraph
4. Reading Passages and Answering Questions
5. Writing Guided Compositions

Time Allotted

The total test length for all three sections is 180 minutes.

• Listening: 30 minutes
• Speaking: 30 minutes
• General Reading and Writing: 120 minutes

CELPIP-A

The CELPIP-Academic Test (CELPIP-A Test) assesses a higher level of English language proficiency. This test is partially computer-based and partially paper-based. The Listening and Speaking sections are computer-based and the Academic Reading and Writing section is paper-based.

Listening

The Listening section measures an individual's level of understanding spoken English in everyday situations and includes the following parts:

1. Matching Statements to Pictures
2. Answering Questions
3. Identifying Similar Meanings
4. Comprehending Dialogues
5. Listening to Conversations

Speaking

The Speaking section measures an individual's ability to communicate orally in English and includes the following parts:

1. Answering General Questions
2. Interpreting Graphic and/or Tabular Materials
3. Telephone Role Play, Conversation, and News Item
4. Oral Response to a Topic

Academic Reading and Writing

The Academic Reading and Writing section assesses an individual's proficiency of beginning college- or university-level reading and writing. This section includes the following parts:

1. Sentence Structure
2. English Usage
3. Reading Comprehension
4. Essay Writing

Time Allotted

The total test length for all three sections is 210 minutes.

• Listening: 30 minutes
• Speaking: 30 minutes
• Academic Reading and Writing: 150 minutes

CELPIP and CIC

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has approved the CELPIP-General Test as a measure of English language proficiency for the Skilled Workers and Professionals Class. CIC awards immigration points based on CELPIP-G test score levels.

Language proficiency is one of the six selection factors for immigrants to Canada. Immigrants can be awarded points for basic, moderate, or high abilities in English and French. Immigrants are given points based on their abilities to:

• listen
• speak
• read
• write

Scoring

The format and scoring of the CELPIP-General Test are referenced to the Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Below are the proficiency score levels and their Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Equivalencies.

• Level 6 - Advanced Proficiency – CLB 11 and 12
• Level 5 - Effective Proficiency – CLB 9 and 10
• Level 4H - Adequate Proficiency – CLB 8
• Level 4L - Adequate Proficiency – CLB 7
• Level 3H - Developing Proficiency – CLB 6
• Level 3L - Developing Proficiency – CLB 5
• Level 2H - Minimal Proficiency – CLB 4
• Level 2L - Minimal Proficiency – CLB 3
• Level 1 - No Proficiency – CLB 1 and 2
• Level 0 - Did not attempt or insufficient information to assess

Other English proficiency tests

Other English proficiency tests

• IELTS, International English Language Testing System
• TOEIC, Test of English for International Communication
• TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language