Why Learning English and Reaching CLB 7 Can Boost Your Chances of Immigrating to Canada
For French-speaking candidates, learning English is more than an added skill. It is a powerful tool that can increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and open doors across Canada’s immigration system.
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Canada is officially bilingual, but English is the dominant language in most provinces and labour markets. Achieving a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in English can strengthen your Express Entry profile, expand your job options, and make settlement easier once you arrive.
Impact on Your CRS Score
Language ability is one of the most heavily weighted factors under Express Entry. Achieving CLB 7 in all four English abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) can have a big impact on your score.
Specifically, you can receive:
- Up to 12 CRS points under Core Human Capital for second official language proficiency
- Up to 50 additional CRS points under Additional Factors when CLB 7 English is combined with strong French results
In total, CLB 7 in English can contribute up to 62 CRS points, which is often enough to move a candidate from being below the cut-off score to receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
How English Proficiency Expands Your Opportunities in Canada
While French proficiency is especially valuable in Quebec and francophone-focused immigration streams, English proficiency greatly expands geographic and professional mobility.
With strong English skills, you can:
- Live and work in almost any province or territory
- Access a much larger job market, as most employers operate primarily in English
- Compete for national and international employers, including remote roles
- Integrate more easily into English-speaking workplaces
- Build broader professional and social networks
- Navigate daily life more independently, from healthcare to travel and social activities
English effectively transforms a candidate’s options from region-specific to Canada-wide.
Practical Ways to Improve Your English and Reach CLB 7
Because CLB 7 corresponds to specific performance standards, you should prepare for the format used to assess English proficiency. Practicing under timed conditions and understanding how writing and speaking are evaluated can help improve accuracy, speed, and confidence, while ensuring your preparation aligns with Canadian immigration requirements. When possible, take advantage of free preparation materials.
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Listening to radio programs, watching Canadian news, or following English podcasts are additional ways you can improve listening comprehension and become more familiar with Canadian accents and expressions. As well, short-term work with an English tutor or language coach can help you correct recurring errors and improve test performance when focused on CLB outcomes.
CLB 7 in English: A Strategic Advantage
For French-speaking candidates, learning English is not about replacing French. It is about helping you maximize CRS points, expand opportunities, and ease long-term integration. Achieving CLB 7 in English can strengthen your Express Entry profile, broaden where you can live and work, and support a smoother transition to life in Canada. In Canada’s immigration system, bilingualism is a measurable advantage, not just a personal asset.
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