Written by Gabriela Estrada

Did you know that speaking English or French can change your life and immigration status? Canada is a bilingual countryhere the majority of the population speaks English and the other part, a little less, speaks French. FrenchBoth languages are official and have great importance when applying for Canadian citizenship. Bilingual Hispanics interested in Canada as a life destination have a great advantage because thanks to this linguistic ability they can obtain citizenship, they must speak one or both languages at a native level and prove it with the international recognition exams.

Welcome to the Planet Immiland's blogHere you will find information of your interest about bilingualism and its benefits for Canadian citizenship. Let's get started!

Importance of bilingualism in Canada

Bilingualism is a significant advantage in Canada, as many job and educational opportunities require proficiency in both languages. In addition, knowledge of French can be especially beneficial for those wishing to work in the federal government or in Quebec.

Considering that the English colony conquered most of Canada, it is natural that English is the most widely spoken language in the country, with more than 70% of the population speaking it as their mother tongue. In provinces and territories such as British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon, among others, English is predominant.

French is spoken by just over 20% of Canadians, mainly in the province of Quebec. There are also French-speaking communities in New Brunswick and Ontario. See official data.

The government, employers and universities in Canada take very much into account the level of these two languages so that foreigners can access their study or work visas, good job offers and the longed-for status of Canadian citizen.

Language and citizenship: the best benefits in Canada

Being fluent in English or French and obtaining Canadian citizenship confers on the foreigner numerous benefits that go beyond permanent residency rights. Here are some of the most important ones:

1. Canadian citizens can travel to many countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival - the Canadian passport is one of the most powerful passports in the world!

1. They have priority employment in key government sectors that may be preferably assigned to Canadian citizens, in addition to not having to worry about renewing work or residence permits, which translates into a relief for their personal life and in all aspects.

1. They can assert their voice in federal, provincial and municipal elections, as well as run for public office.

1. Your children may also benefit from automatic Canadian citizenship.

1. They are protected against loss of status. The Canadian citizen no longer has to worry about complying with the numerous residency requirements to maintain their status. 

Now the question is how can one demonstrate the level of language proficiency required by the government to attain citizenship and its benefits? Read below.

International recognition examinations for Canadian citizenship

To obtain Canadian citizenship, applicants must meet several general requirements to demonstrate proficiency in English or French through an international language test:

• Celpip Examination (English) 

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, better known by its acronym Celpip. This is a test recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess the English proficiency of applicants for Canadian citizenship. This test has the following features:

• Ut uses a scale from 1 to 12 for each section, where 12 represents the highest level of language proficiency.

• For Canadian citizenship, a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in listening and speaking is generally required.

• It is done entirely on computer, which may be more convenient for those who are comfortable with technology.

• Results are available online within 3 to 4 working days after the test date.

• Uses a North American accent, which may be more familiar to candidates planning to live in Canada.

• TEF or TEC exams (French) 

The Test d'Évaluation de Français, better known as TEF, is a language test that assesses French comprehension and expression. Like the Test de Connaissance du Français, TEC, it is accepted to apply for Canadian citizenship.

Recommendations for taking an international language exam

Planeta Immiland recommends that you be familiar with the test format (English or French). To do this, it is very useful to take mock exams, study the grammar sufficiently, expand your vocabulary, learn the idioms and intonations typical of the Canadian linguistic style, etc. All this can be learned through specific preparation courses. 

In this link, I share the courses we offer at Planeta Immiland, which are focused on helping you get the score you need in any of the certifications, in order to obtain the required score to change the immigration status. See preparation courses for international exams .

Remember that international language tests are essential to demonstrate language proficiency and advance in any immigration process. I hope this topic will help you recognize the importance of mastering Canadian bilingualism to successfully integrate into society and that your next language test will lead to a change in your immigration status. 

Thanks for reading, see you soon!

With love, 

Planet Immiland