Listening

Can you…

• Understand a neighbour expressing appreciation for a gift or favour
• Follow instructions to complete a class project
• Understand a warning from a customs official at the airport
• Understand information about transit services in the community

I understand main ideas, facts and many links between ideas. I can also determine intentions, moods and opinions. But I don’t understand everything I hear if the communication is complex or the ideas are new and not related to my life, my work, or my studies.

Speaking

Can you…

• Introduce a guest speaker at a small informal meeting
• Tell a family member how to assemble a piece of furniture
• Tell my child’s teacher about a concern that I have
• Tell a doctor about my symptoms

I communicate with some confidence in many routine situations, and I am developing control of more complex grammar. But my mistakes in grammar and pronunciation may occasionally make it hard for people to understand my meaning.

Reading

Can you…

• Read an email from my colleague expressing disappointment about not getting a promotion
• Read and follow instructions on how to set up a printer
• Read my workplace performance review to determine what I need to improve
• Understand the main ideas and some of the details in an opinion article in a magazine

I understand most moderately complex reading materials. But the topic needs to be familiar to me. I have difficulty when the vocabulary and structures are more complex.

Writing

Can you…

• Write an e-mail message to describe a successful project
• Write a summary of a workplace safety meeting
• Complete an incident report form
• Write three paragraphs about a familiar topic

I can write moderately complex communications on routine familiar topics, and I have adequate control of some more complex grammar. My writing can usually be understood, but it may seem unnatural or awkward, especially when I try to use idioms.

If you can meet the above, CONGRATULATIONS!

You meet the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) English level 7 and you may qualify under many Canada immigration programs!