CELPIP LS Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: What the CELPIP LS test is

CELPIP is a computer-delivered English test. The CELPIP website says Paragon Testing Enterprises, which delivered the CELPIP tests, was acquired by Prometric Canada in 2021. There are two versions you should know about:

• CELPIP-General tests four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The CELPIP website says this is the test used for permanent residence applications.
• CELPIP-General LS tests only Listening and Speaking. The CELPIP website says it assesses the Listening and Speaking skills needed for the Canadian citizenship language requirement.

Wer sie braucht

The Government of Canada says citizenship applicants who are 18 to 54 years old must prove they can speak and listen at Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 4 or higher in English or French. The IRCC Help Centre lists CELPIP General-LS as an accepted test and calls it the "2 skills version (listening and speaking)".

For CELPIP-General tests taken on or after April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada language proof page asks for results of 4 or higher in listening and speaking. On the CELPIP website, CELPIP level 4 lines up with CLB 4. Always check the current rules before you book.

The test at a glance

Listening comes first and Speaking comes last. Lesson 4 explains the eight Speaking tasks. These are the six Listening parts:

Test day

• Arrive 45 minutes before your test. Check-in closes 15 minutes before the start time.
• Bring the original ID you used to register. Photocopies are not accepted.
• You get a pen and notepaper for notes. You must return them at the end.

How the test is scored

• Listening is scored by computer. Each answer is right or wrong, and a blank answer counts as wrong. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so always answer.
• The Listening test may contain unscored items. They look like the others and can appear anywhere, so give every part your best effort.
• Speaking responses are recorded and rated later by three to five trained raters, who work independently. They use four dimensions: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability and Task Fulfillment. Each dimension has five performance levels.
• Results are CELPIP levels from 0 to 12. The CELPIP website maps these levels to CLB levels.
• Scores are usually posted online in 2–4 business days. You download the PDF Official Score Report from your account.

Themenquiz 1: What the CELPIP LS test is

Lesson 2: Listening strategies

In the Listening test, each clip plays once. It starts automatically and you cannot pause it. The speakers are native English speakers with Canadian accents.

How the screens work

• Parts 1 to 3: you hear and read the questions one at a time, in order, with about 30 seconds for each.
• Parts 4 to 6: all the questions are on one screen, and you can answer them in any order.
• After you click Next, you cannot go back. Time left over on one screen is not added to other parts, so use spare time to check your answer.
• Wrong answers are not penalized. If you are not sure, choose your best guess. Never leave a blank.

Take short notes

Write only key words in point form. Use abbreviations and symbols so you can keep up. Note the main ideas and the details that support them: names, dates, places and the order of events. Also listen for verbal cues: pauses, intonation (the rise and fall of the voice) and stressed words often show what matters or how a speaker feels.

Three types of questions

Words like "probably" and "most likely" in a question are a clue that you must infer the answer.

Expect paraphrase

The correct answer rarely uses the exact words from the audio. It says the same idea in other words. For example, if you hear "The meeting has been pushed back a week," the correct answer may say "The meeting will take place later." Do not choose an option just because it repeats a word you heard, such as "pushed". Check that it has the same meaning.

A strategy for each part

• Part 1 (Problem Solving): the conversation comes in three sections, with 2 or 3 questions after each. Note the problem, the solutions suggested and the one chosen.
• Parts 1 to 3: set up your notes before the audio starts, and track each speaker's attitude through their tone of voice.
• Part 4 (News Item): note who, what, when, where and why. News reports give a person's full name first, then only the last name, so write down last names.
• Parts 4 to 6: answer the questions you are most sure about first, then go back to the others.
• Part 5 (Discussion): make three columns, one for each speaker, labelled by where they sit on the screen. Track who agrees and who disagrees. Body language and facial expressions can show attitude. Ignore visual details that are not part of the conversation.
• Part 6 (Viewpoints): note the issue, each person mentioned, their opinions and their reasons.

Themenquiz 2: Listening strategies

Lesson 3: Listening practice

The topic quiz for this lesson has short original clips like the six Listening parts: problem-solving conversations, everyday conversations, calls for information, news items, a three-person discussion and a talk with different viewpoints. Press play and your device reads the script aloud in a Canadian English voice. Listen only once, just like the real test. The script appears after you answer. If your device cannot play speech, you can open the script and read it instead.

A routine for every clip

1. Before: read the question. Decide what to listen for (a problem, a time, a feeling, an opinion).
2. During: write key words only. Note names, numbers and any change of plan.
3. After: choose the option with the same meaning as your notes, even if the words are different.
4. Review: read the script. Find the exact line that gives the answer, and note why the other options were wrong.

Signal phrases to listen for

These phrases often point to the answer. Press play to hear each one.

• Then let's order food instead.A decision: "let's" often shows the final choice.
• I see your point, but…Polite disagreement: the speaker has a different view.
• I'm afraid the Saturday class is full.Bad news, said politely.
• The meeting has been pushed back a week.A change: pushed back means moved later.
• In my view, we don't have to choose just one.The speaker's own opinion, often near the end of a talk.

Listening for feelings

Speakers rarely say "I am nervous". You infer feelings from what they say and how they say it. "I keep thinking about it" and "What if I forget?" show worry. "I like that" shows support.

Try it: a news item

Press play once. Take notes on who, what, when, where and why. Then do the exercise without listening again.

• Play the clip: a traffic updateA short news item, like Listening Part 4. Listen once and take notes.

Themenquiz 3: Listening practice

Lesson 4: Speaking task strategies

The Speaking test has eight tasks and takes about 15 minutes. Each task has a preparation time and a speaking time. You speak into a microphone, your answer is recorded, and trained raters score it later.

On the screen

• When preparation time ends, the screen moves on, a "Start speaking now" prompt plays and recording starts automatically. You do not press any button.
• A blue progress bar shows how much speaking time is left. Time is up when the bar is fully blue.
• A grey bar behind the microphone icon moves up and down with your voice. Do not let it fall too low, or your recording may be hard to hear.
• Speak at a normal volume. Noise from others in the room is normal.

The four rating dimensions

Tips for each task

• Task 1: greet the person and speak to them as "you". Give two or three suggestions and signal each one with a transition: "First,", "Another idea is…", "Finally,".
• Task 2: tell the story in order. Most verbs will be in the past tense.
• Task 3: start with a general statement about the whole scene, then describe a few details. Use place words: "in the middle", "on the left", "in the background".
• Task 4: use future forms: "will probably", "is going to", "might".
• Task 5: show you understand the other option, then compare: "cheaper than", "more convenient than", "better for".
• Task 6: match your tone to the listener. Use polite phrases like "I'm afraid…" and "I'm really sorry, but…", explain your reason and offer a helpful solution.
• Task 7: state your opinion in the first sentence. Then give about three reasons, each with a specific detail, and use transitions to signal each new idea.
• Task 8: the listener cannot see the picture, so give size, shape, colour and position, and compare it to things they know: "It looks like…", "It's about the size of…".

Themenquiz 4: Speaking task strategies

Lesson 5: Speaking practice with model answers

Practise under real conditions. Set a timer for the real preparation and speaking times, record yourself on your phone, then listen back and check your answer against the four dimensions.

Do not memorize answers word for word: they often do not fit the prompt. Learn a structure and some flexible phrases instead.

Model answer: Task 1 (Giving Advice)

Prompt: Your friend Mei is moving to Calgary in January. She has never lived in a cold place. Give her advice about getting ready for winter.

"Hi Mei, congratulations on the new job! I have a few ideas to help you get ready for your first Calgary winter. First, buy a warm coat, boots and gloves before you arrive, because you'll need them from day one. Look for boots with a good grip, since sidewalks can be icy. Another idea is to dress in layers. A sweater under your coat keeps you warm outside, and you can take it off in warm buildings. Finally, if you're going to drive, ask a mechanic about winter tires. They make a big difference on snowy roads. I know it sounds like a lot, but you'll get used to it quickly. Let me know if you want to go shopping together!"

It speaks directly to Mei in a friendly tone. Transitions ("First", "Another idea is", "Finally") signal each suggestion, and each one has a reason or detail.

Model answer: Task 7 (Expressing Opinions)

Prompt: Do you think cities should make public transit free for everyone?

"In my opinion, cities should make public transit free. I have three main reasons. To begin with, it would help people with low incomes. For example, a student or a cleaner working early shifts could get to work or school without worrying about the fare. Second, free transit would mean fewer cars on the road, so there would be less traffic and cleaner air downtown. Finally, buses would move faster because nobody would need to pay at the door. Some people worry about the cost to taxpayers, but I believe the benefits are greater. That's why I support free public transit."

The first sentence states a clear opinion. Three reasons follow, each with a detail, and the speaker mentions the other side briefly before returning to their own view.

Short models for the other tasks

• Task 3: "This picture shows a busy campground on a summer evening. In the front, a family is setting up a tent, and on the left two kids are roasting marshmallows…"
• Task 5: "I understand why a used car sounds good, because it costs less at first. However, I think a bike is a better choice. It's cheaper to run and it keeps you fit…"
• Task 6: "Hi Mr. Lee, thanks for calling. I'm afraid we can't deliver the sofa on Saturday. I'm really sorry. Could we bring it on Monday morning instead?"
• Task 8: "Hi Sara, I'm looking at a very strange chair. It's tall and narrow, about the height of a door, and it has a ladder on one side…"

Useful phrases

• If I were you, I would…Giving advice (Task 1).
• It's probably going to start raining soon.Making a prediction (Task 4).
• I see why you like it, but this one is more practical.Comparing and persuading (Task 5).
• I'm really sorry, but I'm afraid I can't do that.Giving bad news politely (Task 6).
• In my opinion… To begin with… Second… Finally…Stating an opinion and ordering reasons (Task 7).
• It looks like a…, but it's about the size of a…Describing something the listener cannot see (Task 8).

Themenquiz 5: Speaking practice with model answers