The government of Canada has announced an underground move to include the TOEFL Essentials test as an English test option for international students and permanent residency (PR) applicants.
This was made known by the Education Testing Service (ETS), the organization that administers the TOEFL.
ETS announced that TOEFL Essentials had been added as a designated language testing organization by Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Speaking on the development, Omar Chihane, Global General Manager of TOEFL at ETS said: “As a Canadian and a non-native English speaker, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities of proving your language skills.
“Now that TOEFL Essentials is approved for Canadian economic immigration, test takers have a trusted, high-quality option designed for those building a life in Canada, while TOEFL iBT continues to serve as the gold-standard path for those who want to study there.”
Meanwhile, while TOEFL Essentials has been added as a new English test option for immigrants, the IRCC has yet to commence accepting the tests.
It was gathered that IRCC is still finalising the details of the new English test option and will update its official website with the exact start date and testing locations.
Once it has been given the final green light, applicants applying for Express Entry, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) will be eligible to use the TOEFL Essentials test option.
Below is an overview of what to expect from the TOEFL Essentials test;
TOEFL Essentials is a shorter and more practical version of the traditional TOEFL test. It checks skills in the four key areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
The designated time for the TOEFL Essentials test is 90 minutes.
Applicants who take this test will see their scores for the listening and reading sections instantly. Official results are released online in about six days or less.
What English Tests Are Currently Accepted for Canadian PR?
As of now, Canada only accepts three English tests for permanent residency:
1. IELTS General Training: Used mostly for immigration, IELTS checks applicants’ English in everyday situations like work, travel, and social settings. Meanwhile, it is not the same as the academic version.
2. CELPIP General: This is a Canadian-made English test that focuses on real-life English, like conversations, emails, and workplace tasks. It’s fully computer-based and popular among PR applicants.
3. PTE Core: This English test option that tests applicants’ everyday English skills using short tasks. It’s done on a computer and gives quick results, often within 2 days.
