International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – First Step Towards Canada Immigration

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS is language proficiency test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada (IRCC). The test assesses English language skills of interested candidates in four areas such as listening, reading, writing and speaking. The bare minimum score required for Canada immigration is five bands in each areas or modules of IELTS. Also, IELTS academic is accepted by recognised colleges, universities and various Designated Learning Institutes (DLI) in Canada, which means that candidates willing to secure Student Visa must get desired score by these institutes in IELTS. Read on to know more about IELTS and how it affects Canada immigration process.

IELTS – A Must For Canada Immigration

The most immigrant friendly country, Canada, is one of the most sought after immigration countries across the world due to the its favourable immigration policies, world class academic institutes, job opportunities, growth for entrepreneurs as well as social and welfare schemes provided by the government to immigrants, foreign skilled workers, professionals and trained youth. The process of Canada immigration starts with clearing IELTS and that too with the required score in each module of this English skill test.

How to go about IELTS?

Candidates can opt IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic on paper or on computer (offline or online mode). Both options are offered to candidates by recognised or official IELTS centres located in more than 140 countries across the world.

• IELTS General Training is meant for candidates willing to secure skilled worker pathways for Canada immigration such as Express Entry stream, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) and some study programs below degree level. It is important to note that IRCC accepts both IELTS on paper and computer (offline and online mode of exam).
• IELTS Academic is meant for candidates seeking student visa and wish to pursue studies at undergraduate or postgraduate level in an English-speaking environment or in Designated Learning Institutes (DLI) such as universities, colleges, polytechnic etc. It is important to note that IELTS Academic is also allowed for professional registration purposes.

Clearly, IELTS evaluates English language proficiency (or skills) of candidates, who are seeking to work, study and stay in an English speaking environment in various Canadian provinces. The text, curriculum, vocabulary in the IELTS prepares candidates to get familiar with an environment where people and residents communicate, listen, read and understand in either English or French languages.

Moreover, IELTS is the only English language test which is accredited by IRCC under Student Direct Stream (SDS).Candidates seeking student visa are advised to contact concerned DLI, university, academic institute and colleges to confirm language proficiency test and required score to get admission.

What is The Best Preparation Method to Score Well in IELTS?

Advance preparation is the success route or to gain good scores in IELTS. Experts suggest candidates to understand the test format, types of questions asked and the assessment method to clear the language proficiency test.

These days candidates have various resources, study material – text and videos – to get help for exam preparation. With daily practice and improvement candidates can upgrade skills in all modules and score well in IELTS. Candidates must keep in mind that preparations should be done under a trained guide or a teacher, who understands IELTS requirements for Canada immigration. Such a support system helps candidates to improve within a few months.

Candidates can also regularly practise mock tests and understand their strength and weakness in each section or module of IELTS. This will help them to face the exam confidently as well as improve time management skills required during the exam.

Also, the IELTS band or score helps candidates to earn better points in Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scale. The high band or score in IELTS help candidates to earn good CRS points that enhance their chances of Canada immigration.

Experts also view IELTS as a tool to boost confidence during interviews and interaction with officials or visa authorities. It is a measure of candidates’ understanding of English language in terms of listening, speaking, understanding and writing. Clearly, IELTS helps candidates to merge into new society and environment in hassle-free manner.

How is IELTS Marked?

IELTS has four different sections or modules such as listening, reading, writing and speaking. Each section awards specific score to candidates for their skills or proficiency in that area, and it further generates total score or band. Please note that scores in all modules are important and candidates must get required score in each module in order to qualify for immigration.

Further, each module is designed and framed in order to prepare candidates communicate, understand and interact freely in Canada in routine activities. Hence, the score in IELTS Academic (for student visa), or an IELTS General Training test (for work visa and Permanent Residency status) enables a candidate to lead a quality life in Canada. Therefore, understanding the marking system in each section or module of IELTS helps candidates in preparation as well as clearing the language test in smooth manner.

There is no doubt that relocating to Canada is a tiring process and not so easy procedure. Besides immigration rules and streams, there are other aspects that candidates must understand in order to migrate to Canada in time bound manner. Experts suggest interested candidates to seek guidance and support from trusted and reliable immigration consultants. The consultant suggests the best immigration pathways to candidates after assessing personal and professional details as well as IELTS score that help them to fulfil their dreams and career aspirations in developed economy like Canada. Identifying the best and ideal immigration streams that suit candidate’s requirements and support career goals is the key to success.

What is Comprehensive Ranking System in Canada Immigration?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system or scale that is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess online applications (also called profile) of candidates, immigrants, job seekers, professionals and trained youth seeking Canada immigration. The applications of candidates are evaluated based on certain factors such as age, education, skills or training, language proficiency or IELTS score, personal details, relevant work experience and other factors.

Young skilled workers, immigrants, job seekers, professionals, international graduates and trained youth seeking immigration to Canada can apply under one of the fastest and convenient immigration gateways called Express Entry stream. This gateway allocates points to candidates on the point-scale called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for personal and professional details mentioned in online application (or profile). It is important to note that in some cases CRS is also called Express Entry score.

What is the Role Of Language Score or IELTS in CRS?

English and French are two major languages spoken by residents to communicate and interact in Canada for personal and official purposes. Therefore, candidates should be proficient in one of the languages to secure good CRS points. It is well noted fact that interested candidates can improve CRS score by improving the language proficiency or IELTS score.

The high score in IELTS boosts chances of selection of candidates. Candidates must know the minimum eligibility requirements of language proficiency, but they must target to score maximum in each section or module of IELTS or language proficiency test. Experts feel that having knowledge of both French and English languages is beneficial, but one should get at least minimum score in language proficiency to qualify for Canada immigration.

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It is important to note that candidates get maximum 28 points for language proficiency in either English or French. The required skills in the most spoken languages in Canada, either in English or French, helps skilled workers, professionals and immigrants to quickly adjust in community, labour markets, industries, and different domains that need interactions on daily basis.