IELTS

[maua]

My husband and I have are just initiating the immigration process and I have been browsing this board to get an idea of what we can expect.
Concerning the IELTS, how easy is it to obtain an exemption? I am pretty confident in my English proficiency but my native country (Kenya) has Swahili as the national language and English as the official language. I'm not afraid to take the IELTS but don't want to pay $185.00 to sit the exam.
I attended High School in Kenya and scored 'A' in English and attended College in the USA and scored 'A' in all my English courses. If I provide my official transcripts, will they accept this as sufficient proof of my proficiency?

[maua]

Anyone?

[slavasz]

There is an option for your case.

Read the manual:
page 13 "Written explanation..."
www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/EG7.pdf

If you have a degree from that College then I think it will do the job.

[maua]

Slavasz, Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your helpful information.

[slavasz]

You are welcome!
I am glad to be of any help!

[Tonsils Hockey]

No escape from IELTS unfortunately. You can try different things to convince CIC but all that would do is to waste your time.

[Albularyo]

it is highly recommended to take the ielts for people who arent from countries that English isnt their first language. So i would suggest for you to get the ielts exam. Although, i know quite a lot of colleagues from your country and they do speak rather good english.

[abelkwh]

It is stated that any natives from any country other than USA, Australia, UK and Canada has to prove their english proficiency. So i would suggest u take it if u need it to accumulate sufficient or higher points to be eligible for the application. I am from a country that has English as the official language but yet, many of us from this country has to take ILETS to prove or accumulate the sufficient points.

Personally, i was educated in english from young and attended all english schools from elementary school till college in US, and double masters from US and Australia, yet i have to take ILETS!

So i suggest that if u need to get those points or get higher points then take it. U should have no problem in ILETS at alll if yr english proficiency is up to standard.

I took and scored all 8's from Listening to reading to writing and speaking. So no worries if u are educated in english from young and have graduated from a US college.

[slavasz]

The point is:
If you sit IELTS them you now your score and the points you get for it.

If you write explanation then the evaluation of your level may not be in your favor. Meaning, you may not get high score.

That is why - CIC strongly advises that you only choose this option if your first language is English or French.
The officer will assess whether the evidence supports the level of proficiency you claim for each ability separately (speaking, listening, reading and writing). CIC officers will not interview you to assess your proficiency levels.
IMM EG7000 (09-2009) page 11-12

So, it is up to you.

[ruthndul]

My husband and I have are just initiating the immigration process and I have been browsing this board to get an idea of what we can expect.
Concerning the IELTS, how easy is it to obtain an exemption? I am pretty confident in my English proficiency but my native country (Kenya) has Swahili as the national language and English as the official language. I'm not afraid to take the IELTS but don't want to pay $185.00 to sit the exam.
I attended High School in Kenya and scored 'A' in English and attended College in the USA and scored 'A' in all my English courses. If I provide my official transcripts, will they accept this as sufficient proof of my proficiency?

cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/language.asp


Note: If your first language is neither French nor English, CIC recommends taking either the IELTS test or the TEF before starting the application process. This will help you find out if you meet the minimum language requirement for your job.

[slavasz]

there are new changes:
now only one of two accepted either explanation or IELTS.

it means if your explanation is not good enough then IELTS is NOT accepted.

So, it is better to take IELTS.

The reason behind that decision that officers will have to spend time to evaluate your English only ONCE.