Newcomers put language skills to test

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This article was published 04/02/2015 (3985 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Immigrants seeking permanent residency or Canadian citizenship can now take their language proficiency test at Westman Immigrant Services.

Known as CELPIP — the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program — it is one of two tests recognized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

“I think it’s just great for us to be able to provide that service in Westman,” said Angela Mowbray, head teacher at Westman Immigrant Services. “For clients that live in the area, to have to go into Winnipeg and take that day or possibly even two days to do it, it’s really great for us to be able to offer it.”

Westman Immigrant Services held the first test last month, which brought out 69 people. Most people were from the Westman area, but Mowbray said there were a few from Saskatchewan and Alberta. WIS plans to offer the test every three weeks.

There are two CELPIP formats. First is the “general” test, which includes listening, speaking, reading and writing. This test is required when applying for permanent residency.

The second format is CELPIP “general LS,” which is a listening and speaking test, necessary when applying for Canadian citizenship.

“They already have their permanent residency, but now they want to be citizens and they still have to provide proof of English proficiency, but only in listening and speaking,” Mowbray said.

In 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada tightened up language requirements. Applicants must now provide documented proof of their proficiency (Level Four) in either English or French. Prior to 2012, there was no such requirement.

“It’s a very big change, we’ve seen people in the community who have taken the test 10 times … 12 times,” said Claudia Colocho, settlement facilitator at WIS. “Sometimes they will be at level four for speaking but writing they’re not level four, and they have to have a general level four in listening, speaking, reading and writing.”

If temporary foreign workers are not able to pass the language proficiency test within a certain time frame, they have to go back to their home country.

Colocho said a lot of workers in Brandon are having a difficult time with this requirement, as some workers recruited to work for Maple Leaf Foods two years ago had “very little English” skills.

“People learn at a different speed, but for someone who’s working all day and working overtime, it’s really hard for them to go to the classes,” she said. “For someone young, two years is a fair period of time, but for someone older or working that many hours, it’s kind of a short time.”

The four-skill test costs $265, while the shorter test is $175.

The other language test recognized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which is a more academic test available through Assiniboine Community College.

The CELPIP testing venue at Westman Immigrant Services is a brand-new computer lab, which was just launched this year.

“Our computer lab is something we’ve been wanting to set up, not just for purposes of the CELPIP testing but also to kind of empower our clients, provide them with some training in using computers,” Mowbray said.

A literacy class was held in the new lab on Tuesday, where students were learning basic computer skills. The class is for students who either have no education or interrupted education in their home country.

“That happens for a lot of different reasons, economic reasons — they had to leave school and go to work, or reasons of war or upheaval in the country and they had to even flee the country in a lot of cases and go to refugee camps,” Mowbray said.

“In Canada, for almost any kind of job now if you’re not computer-literate, then it’s pretty difficult … so that’s really a helpful thing for our clients to be able to do that.”

Student Aster Woldane moved to Brandon in 2012 from Ethiopia. She is thrilled to be learning English and basic computer skills.

“It’s so nice. I’m so happy. I like it,” she said. “Before I had a little bit (of English) but now… my speaking is OK. I’m so happy, my teacher is so nice.”

Woldane’s goal is to become a Canadian citizen, so once her language skills are up to par, she expects to take the proficiency test in Brandon.

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