Improving your English for the Canadian citizenship test often sounds simple but it is challenging.
Even though you can confidently communicate with your friends in the English language, passing the Canadian citizenship English test comes with different requirements.
But don’t panic, below are some steps you can easily follow to improve your English for the Canadian citizenship test:
1. Understand the language requirements
Before you start a citizenship exam preparation, you need to first know the language requirement for the test you are planning to take.
The language requirement of the Canadian citizenship test in English or French expects you to at least get up to Level 4 or higher at the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark).
What this means is that, for you to pass the test, you should be able to understand simple and basic instructions, and questions, and express your needs in English.
2. Focus on key skills
Your English proficiency is judged based on four points which is what you should specifically focus on when studying for the test.
These key points or skills are what to focus on when trying to improve your English for the Canadian citizenship test:
- Reading: You should practice reading simple texts, such as news articles, short stories, and instructions. It’s not just reading it, you should also focus on understanding the main idea of these simple texts.
- Writing: Work on writing short, coherent sentences that are grammatically correct. You can practice by writing about your everyday life such as your experience while shopping, school, work, or other daily routines.
- Listening: Learn to listen to what others are saying and be able to understand the main idea of their message. You can practice this by listening to Canadian English podcasts, news, or movies.
- Speaking: You should be able to speak in a way most English Canadians would understand. You can practice this every day by engaging in conversations with native Canadians.
3. Use study resources
Learning a new language or improving the one you already have is usually not an easy task that you can do alone. You can see help from most organizations in Canada that help immigrants to settle.
The Canadian Government has a long list of resources that will help you improve your English for the Canadian citizenship test. Resources on the official Discover Canada guide contains all the information needed for the test.
You can also enroll in English as a second language classes, which often focus on practical language skills for improving your English for the Canadian citizenship test.
4. Practice mock tests
Learning the English language is known as ‘input,’ while practically testing your knowledge is called ‘output.’ It is nice to learn as much as you can, but it is great to also practice what you’ve learned before going to the actual exam.
Another way to practically improve your English for the Canadian citizenship test is by practicing your output skills.
You can do this by taking mock tests (practice tests) to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions that you would be asked during the test. This will help you understand what to expect and then manage your time better during the actual test.
5. Join study groups
Joining a study group is a fantastic way to improve your English for the Canadian citizenship test.
It will motivate your learning process and also provide another opportunity to test your output skills in speaking, reading, and listening.
If you don’t see any group, you can create one with a group of friends.
6. Daily practice
Since practice makes perfect, it is advisable to make English a part of your daily routine by practicing it every day this will drastically improve your English for the Canadian citizenship test.
The best practice is to always think in English. You can build this habit by always listening to English music, podcasts, and radio and watching English movies, especially the ones made by Canadians.
7. Seek Feedback
Never ask your family and friends for feedback because they will always tell you that is great when it’s not. Instead, ask them to critique your English skills and then improve on what they are criticizing.
Whenever you feel they no longer have anything to critique about your English skills, you can then ask for feedback from teachers or language exchange partners. This can help you identify other areas for improvement.
8. Stay consistent
Finally, to improve your English for the Canadian citizenship test, you have to be consistent in every angle of your learning process.
This is because consistent practice is key to reaching the goal you want in your citizenship exam preparation. So set aside dedicated time each day to learn, practice, and work on your English skills.
Conclusion
Above is a list of points to help you improve your English for the Canadian citizenship test and you can also use it for your French test as well.
By focusing on these key skills and points needed for the test, you’ll be okay and better prepared for the Canadian citizenship test in English.
FAQ
What level of English do you need for the Canadian citizenship test?
Individuals who are 18 to 54 years of age, must submit proof of speaking, listening, writing, and reading in English or French at the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or higher.
Which Canadian English test is easier?
The easiest English test depends on preference. However, the two that have been called easier are CELPIP and IELTS. Some find CELPIP easier because of the Canadian context and computer-based format it has, while others might find IELTS easier because of its global recognition and face-to-face speaking element.
Is Duolingo accepted for Canadian citizenship?
No! Duolingo is not accepted as proof that you have met the language requirements.
