Proving English Language Ability - International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Visa officers require that some Canadian immigration applicants take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  IELTS results help visa officers determine whether the applicant has sufficient English language ability for proper integration into Canadian society and the Canadian workforce.

To demonstrate language ability, many immigration applicants submit a written English document with their application.  However, an application that relies solely on a written submission may take longer to be processed than one that is submitted with IELTS results.  Because the IELTS results are independent and verifiable, the visa officer will accept these results as determinate and will be able to conclude language ability more quickly.  For Citizenship and Immigration Canada, IELTS results are considered the only conclusive proof of English language proficiency.

If the visa officer requires you to take the IELTS, you will need to contact your local IELTS test centre to find out the dates when you will be able to take your test and what the cost will be.  Then, download and complete the application form, and send it the local IELTS centre, along with your photos, a copy of your identification, and your payment. 
 

Many people take preparation courses before they take the IELTS to ensure that they receive as high a score as possible.  You can also take IELTS practice tests to get an idea of what the tests are like.

The IELTS consists of four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.  The whole test lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes and can be completed in one day.  The Speaking component can also be taken up to 7 days before or after the other three components (at the discretion of the test centre).

Listening
The Listening component lasts for 30 minutes and consists of four audio clips that you must listen to and answer questions about.

• Conversation – 2 speakers
• Monologue
• Conversation – 4 speakers
• Lecture

You can read the questions and familiarize yourself with the question types before you listen to the recordings.  Listen carefully, as the recordings are played only once.

Reading
The Reading component lasts for 60 minutes and consists of three passages you will read and answer questions about.  The texts are typically taken from books, newspapers, magazines, and journals.  You will be asked to:

• Identify attitudes and perceptions
• Find detailed information
• Complete a diagram
   

Writing
The Writing component lasts for 60 minutes and consists of 2 tasks.  You will need to:

• Write a descriptive report of a table or diagram (150 words)
• Write an essay in response to a statement (250 words)
• Be sure to read the question carefully before composing your text.

Speaking
The Speaking component lasts for 10-15 minutes.  It is a face-to-face interview between the candidate and the examiner.  It consists of:

• Introduction and interview
• Individual talk
• Discussion topics

Try to speak fluently, using appropriate grammar, and demonstrate a range of vocabulary.  Always try to support your opinions and answer the questions with more than ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Scoring
You will be given a score for each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) on a Band Scale from 1-9.  In order to be awarded the maximum 16 points for English language ability on the Federal Skilled Worker application, you will need to score a 7.5 or higher in the Listening component and a 6.5 or higher in the other three components.

Band 1 – Non user
Band 2 – Intermittent user
Band 3 – Extremely limited user
Band 4 – Limited user
Band 5 – Modest user
Band 6 – Competent user
Band 7 – Good user
Band 8 – Very good user
Band 9 – Expert user

IELTS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)