Many students initially struggle with assessing language and we have to consider this on many occasions

when we are dealing with a Federal Skilled Worker. Here is an added tutorial with examples which may
assist you if this is an area you are not quite understanding. If you prefer a video tutorial, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j16ML2OQpQQ

FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER – ASSESSING LANGUAGE

When we assess a FSW applicant we do need to consider language on several different aspects of the
assessment:

1.) Definitions. We know as per R75.2(d) that an applicant must meet a specific benchmark on a
language exam to meet one of the criteria of what defines who may apply. In order to know what
that benchmark is, we have to access the IRCC website as the benchmark is not expressed in
the IRPR. Here we can see that an applicant must meet a benchmark of a CLB 7 as designated
by the Minister: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who.asp

IRCC provides equivalency charts to allow us to compare exam results to CLB levels, an important skill to
understand:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/language/charts.asp

Example Client:

Components IELTS results CLB equivalency

Reading 7 9
Writing 6.5 8
Listening 6 7
Speaking 7.5 10

So if we were assessing an applicant as per the definitions of meeting the benchmark of a CLB 7,
this sample client has met or exceeded a CLB 7 on each component.

In our argument contained within our submission letter we might state:

As per R75.2(d) the applicant meets the criteria to have undertaken an official language
examination as per the general IELTS exam which is valid having been taken on December 15
2017. The results of which indicate a CLB equivalency of 9 for reading, 8 for writing, 7 for
listening and 10 for speaking which either meet or exceeds the CLB benchmark of 7.

2.) Selection: We then encounter a need to assess language when we assess against the Selection
Criteria to confirm if the applicant can meet the pass mark. We can see from R79(3)a what
points will be assessed on Selection for this category:
i.) 4 points for each factor which meets the CLB benchmark fixed by the Minister. Which we
know from the above is a CLB 7
ii.) 5 points for each factor that exceeds the benchmark by 1. CLB 8
iii.) 6 points for each factor that exceeds the benchmark by 2. CLB 9 or more

Example:

Components IELTS results CLB equivalency Points for

selection
 Reading 7 9 CLB+2=6
Writing 6.5 8 CLB+1=5
Listening 6 7 CLB = 4
Speaking 7.5 10 CLB+2 or
more =6
21
So on this part of the analysis when we are calculating the selection points for this sample client, we can
see that our sample client met the CLB on one component, exceeded it by one point on one component
and exceeded it by 2 points on two components, so he gets a total score of 21 for his language.

In our submission letter we might state:

As per R79(3)a, based on the undertaken IELTS exam the applicant would secure a score of 21 based on
CLB levels of 9 for reading, 8 for writing, 7 for listening and 10 for speaking.

3.) Express Entry and the Comprehensive Ranking System. We will again encounter another time
when we have to consider the applicant’s language results and that is in respect to ranking the
applicant for express entry. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/grid-crs.asp

We can see that Official Language proficiency is listed as a Core-Human Capital Factor. We can
also see the equivalency chart as to how to assess language based on the CLB levels for each
component on his official exam which is different than the chart used for assessing the
definitions and for selection. Which column you use depends on if the applicant is married or
single.

Example: based on a single applicant:

Components IELTS results CLB equivalency Points for EE

assessment
Core factors
Reading 7 9 31
Writing 6.5 8 23
Listening 6 7 17
Speaking 7.5 10 34
105
Note that the applicant received a score for each of the components of the language exam
based on the CLB equivalents and coupled with their marital status.

We also see that we need to consider language again when we assess against the skill transferability
factors. In this instance we need to not only consider CLB levels but also combine this with work
experience. So what do we need to know to assess this:

EDUCATION/LANGUAGE:

What level of education did the client complete? For our sample case we will use an undergraduate
degree which was taken over a period of 4 years. So we now know what line to assess: Post-secondary
credential of 1 or more years.
What are the CLB levels? We know that our sample client secured a range of 7, 8, 9 and 10 on the CRS
equivalency charts.

Looking at the chart we know that if the client secured a CLB 7 or more on all abilities with one or more
under 9 we have to look at the first column. If however our client secured CLB 9 or more on all abilities,
then we could look at the second column. In this case we may use the first.

Post secondary program credential of one year or more with CLB 7 or more on all but less than 9 or
more on all gives our sample client 13 for this factor.

FOREIGN WORK EXPERIENCE/LANAGUAGE:

For the next part we need to now how many years of foreign work experience does our sample client
has. Let’s say 4 fours of experience overseas. We also already know that we use the first column as per
the CLB levels achieved. So 3 or more years of foreign work experience coupled with CLB levels of 7 or
more on all but less than 9 on all gives this sample client a 25 for this part of the CRS assessment.

What are the CLB levels? We know that our sample client secured a CLB range of 7, 8, 8 and 10. Looking
at the two columns we know that the client did not secure a CLB 9 or more on all language components,
so we can now confirm that we look at the score in the first column. This gives this client 25 for this
factor.

Try this same process for Albert our first client. Remember the difference between what you need to
consider when assessing against:

-The CLB benchmark

-Point for the selection criteria

(to be applied in A2.1)

-Points for the CRS

(to be applied in D2.1)