Abilities in English and/or French

(Maximum 24 points)

The ability to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages is very important to you as a skilled worker. Proficiency in English, French or both will help you in the Canadian labour market.

Your ability in English and/or French is one of the six selection factors for skilled workers. You will be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high proficiency in English and French. You will be given points based on your ability to:

  • listening
  • speaking
  • reading and
  • writing.

Proof of your language abilities

If you have some proficiency in both English and French, decide which language you are more comfortable using. This is your first official language. The other is your second official language.

If you claim to have language abilities on your application, you must provide conclusive proof of your level of proficiency. There are two ways to do this. You can:

  • take a language test or
  • provide other written proof of your abilities.

We strongly recommend that you take a language test from an approved organization. You will find a link to a list of approved English language testing organizations under the Related Links section at the bottom of this page. You will also find a link to additional information on language testing.

Calculate your language points

Use the descriptions from the table above to score your language proficiency.

First Official Language (Points per ability)
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test is for English language, where results is in form of BANDs.
TEF (Test d’évaluation de français) test is for French language, where result is in form of LEVEL and points.

 Level

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

High
English
(IELTS band)

French
(TEF level & pts.)

4 points

6.5 - 9.0
Level 5
Level 6
(349-450 pts)

4 points

7.5 - 9.0
Level 5
Level 6
(280-360 pts)

4 points

6.5 - 9.0
Level 5
Level 6
(233-300 pts)

4 points

6.5 - 9.0
Level 5
Level 6
(349-450 pts)

Moderate

English

French

2 points

5.5 - 6.0
Level 4
(271-348 pts)

2 points

5.5. - 7.0
Level 4
(217-279 pts)

2 points

5.0 - 6.0
Level 4
(181-232 pts)

2 points

5.5. - 6.0
Level 4
(271-348 pts)

Basic
English

French

1points

4.0 - 5.0
Level 3
(181-270 pts)

1points

4.5. - 5.0
Level 3
(145-216 pts)

1points

3.5. - 4.5
Level 3
(121-180 pts)

1points

4.0 - 5.0
Level 3
(181-270 pts)

Please Note: You can score a maximum of only two points in total for basic-level proficiency.

No proficiency
English

French

0

Less then 4.0
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-180 pts)

0

Less then 4.5
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-144 pts)

0

Less then 3.5
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-120 pts)

0

Less then 4.0
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-180 pts)

Second Official Language

 

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

High proficiency

2

2

2

2

Moderate proficiency

2

2

2

2

Basic proficiency

1

1

1

1

Please Note: You can score a maximum of only two points in total for basic-level proficiency.

No proficiency

0

0

0

0