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{{Short description|Canadian language proficiency assessment}}
{{MOS|date=May 2021}}The '''Canadian Language Benchmarks''' ('''CLB'''), or '''Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien''' ('''NCLC''') in French, comprise a 12-point scale of task-based language proficiency descriptors used to guide the teaching and assessment of ESL learners in Canada. Like the [[Common European Framework of Reference for Languages]] and the [[ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines]], the Canadian Language Benchmarks describe ESL learners' successive levels of communicative achievement.
The CLB's 12 benchmarks are divided into 3 parts: Stage I: Basic Proficiency; Stage II: Intermediate Proficiency; and Stage III: Advanced Proficiency. The CLB cover four skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing. There is also a French version of the CLB. The theory behind the CLB can be found in the document, the THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE CANADIAN LANGUAGE BENCHMARKS AND NIVEAUX DE COMPÉTENCE LINGUISTIQUE CANADIENS (at http://bookshelf.language.ca) and includes pragmatic knowledge, grammatical knowledge, textual knowledge, functional knowledge, and sociolinguistic knowledge.<ref>[http://bookshelf.language.ca/ THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE CANADIAN LANGUAGE BENCHMARKS AND NIVEAUX DE COMPÉTENCE LINGUISTIQUE CANADIENS], Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks, 2012</ref>▼
▲The CLB's 12 benchmarks are divided into 3 parts: Stage I: Basic Proficiency; Stage II: Intermediate Proficiency; and Stage III: Advanced Proficiency. The CLB cover four skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing. There is also a French version of the CLB. The theory behind the CLB
Each benchmark is then described in terms of "Can do" statements or "Performance Descriptors". For example, the following are two task descriptors for Benchmark 5 in writing (from the 2012 version of the CLB):
''Descriptor
[Writing is about 1 paragraph.]
Example: Write a paragraph to report a
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incident or a burglary.
''Descriptor
or routine.
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== History ==
The CLB grew out of a federal government initiative undertaken in 1992, to support the language learning needs of immigrants to the country. In 1993, Citizenship and Immigration Canada established the National Working Group on Language Benchmarks. In November 1996, the group published the Canadian Language Benchmarks (Working Document). This working group was eventually to become the Board of Directors of the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.
In 2012, a revised version of the CLB was published and an updated theoretical framework. A team of writers and language experts worked on the revision in both English and in French. The CLB/NCLC theory was validated against the Common European Framework for Language, the ACTEFL and the Quebec version of the benchmarks. The validation showed that the CLB and NCLC are valid and reliable for
A set of benchmarks for literacy learners who have English as a
The CLB has also been used to identify the level of curricula, courses and requirements for entry into post-secondary training in some parts of Canada, e.g. in Manitoba, some Ontario community colleges and in British Columbia where it is part of an articulation agreement.
Since 2002, the CLB has been used
==
The CLB has been used since 1996 as the background of CLB-based assessments. CLB-based assessments reflect what a second language speaker can demonstrate in terms of language and communication. They usually cover the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. the CLB have been used for both formative and summative assessment and are defined for low-stakes or higher stakes uses.
===Examples===
* The Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA)
* The Canadian Language Benchmarks Literacy Assessment (CLBLA)
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*
*
* Canadian English Language Benchmarks Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN)
* Milestones (a high-stakes test in development for Citizenship & Immigration Canada)
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*
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* Portfolio-based language assessment (PBLA)
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==
Canada has strict language requirements for immigration. Federal Skilled Workers are expected to have a minimum CLB level 7 score in order to be eligible for immigration.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2007-03-31|title=Language testing—Skilled immigrants (Express Entry)|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=aem}}</ref> Canada accepts popular English testing reports of IELTS-GT and CELPIP-G and French testing reports of TEF/TCF for immigration purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2007-03-31|title=Language testing—Skilled immigrants (Express Entry)|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=aem}}</ref> The bands have to be converted to CLB /NCLC equivalent levels using the below conversion chart<ref>{{Cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2015-01-01|title=Language requirements — Skilled immigrants (Express Entry)|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=aem}}</ref> or by using a
=== Federal Skilled Worker Program ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+First official language
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Second official language: Minimum level of CLB or NCLC 5.
=== Canadian Experience Class ===
{| class="wikitable"
!NOC skill type or level
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|}
=== Federal Skilled Trades Program ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Language
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== See also ==
* [[Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program|CELPIP]] (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
* [[International English Language Testing System|IELTS]]
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* [http://www.actfl.org/ American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages home]
* [https://www.immiboards.com/clb-calculator/ Canada CLB Calculator]
* {{cite journal |last1=Fox |first1=Janna |first2=Robert |last2=Courchêne |url=https://www.teslontario.org/uploads/publications/researchsymposium/ResearchSymposium2005.pdf#page=7 |title=The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB): A Critical Appraisal |
[[Category:Education in Canada]]
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