For applicants aged between 18-54 years, there is a certain language level needed to apply for Canadian citizenship. Well, Canada requires that they demonstrate what IRCC calls an ‘adequate knowledge’ of either English or French. 

Canada uses four general guidelines to define an ‘adequate’ knowledge of either of its official languages. These guidelines are considered skills that represent a sufficient ability to speak & listen in French/ English. 

  • The ability to take part in short, routine conversations about common topics.
  • The ability to understand simple instructions, directions, & questions. 
  • The ability to use basic grammar, including simple structures & tenses. 

The ability to show you enough common words & phrases to answer questions & express yourself. The applicant’s age determines the age requirement for language skills on the day they sign their Canadian citizenship application. 

How Does IRCC Measure My Language Skills? 

IRC uses the following three methods to evaluate the language skills of eligible Canadian citizenship applicants. 

  • Review the language proof sent along with a Canadian citizenship application
  • Evaluate your language level during a citizenship test with an official, if required
  • Assess a candidate’s speaking ability when talking to a citizenship official anytime during the application process.

Certain Canadian citizenship applicants can obtain an accommodation or a waiver from this part of the citizenship process. 

Is There Any Equivalence Between My Language Level For Citizenship & PR? 

Along with the language level needed to apply for Canadian citizenship, many citizenship applicants will be familiar with either CLB testing or NCLC testing. 

According to the Canadian Government, ‘adequate’ knowledge of English/ French is equivalent to scoring a Level 4 on the speaking & listening portion of the CLB or NCLC language tests. 

Can I Request An Accommodation/ Waiver For Canadian Citizenship Language Skills Requirement? 

Canadian citizenship applicants can request or obtain an accommodation for or waiver from language skills requirements. For instance, IRCC notes that the following group can request accommodations for applicants. 

  • Applicants with conditions which are medical, psychological, physical, or cognitive
  • Applicants who cannot take the citizenship test online
  • Applicants who are taking the online citizenship test but can’t remove their face-covering 

Waivers 

Waivers for the testing, as well as language requirements associated with the Canadian citizenship test, can be requested by those who meet IRCC’s criteria for a waiver on compassionate grounds. 

Valid reasons for a waiver, as decided by IRCC, include but aren’t limited to: 

  • A severe medical condition which has lasted for a minimum of one year
  • Trauma because of war, torture, or living in a refugee camp
  • Low levels of education/ literacy in the first language 

Conversely, waiver requests submitted for the subsequent reasons are deemed invalid by IRCC. 

  • A candidate cannot cover the cost of taking a third-party language test
  • An applicant needs time to study for citizenship test