Language Skills

Canada has two official languages: English and French.

Even if you have the language skills in English or French needed to immigrate to Canada, those skills may not be strong enough to work in your preferred profession.

Language skills in English or French are essential to your integration into the labour market in Canada. Lacking these skills is one of the largest barriers to full integration.

The language requirements to work in your profession in Canada might be different from the language requirements for immigration to Canada.

Most professions and trades require you to be fluent in English or French and to have a strong command of all work-related language. Being fluent in a language includes having the cultural knowledge to understand phrases or expressions used, some of which may be unique to Canada. In addition to continued language study and practice, look for bridging programs that offers both language training and work experience.

Regulatory bodies set the type of language test that will be used in your evaluation or assessment.

A language test given by your profession or the results from an internationally standardized language test will almost certainly be part of the assessment of your qualifications. Make sure that you understand the requirements you must meet.

There are a few internationally recognized language tests such as TOEFL, but the evaluating organization will sometimes accept only one specific test.

What you can do