It has been quite challenging for the international students amidst the recent regulations that Canada is overlapping over their eligibility. Among them, a new language regulation rule has been announced, waiting for it to be enforced as a rule. Let’s us first see what would be new rule and then let’s dive into what it actually means and the reasons behind such a new move – The new Language requirement for International Students in Canada.
What is the new language requirement for International Students in Canada?
Since it’s dawn, English has been one of the primary language of Canada. People communicate and do business using this language. Along with this, French is also another official language. Unlike the status of English as the Global Language or Internet Language, French is not yet popular among most of the populated countries like India, China, Russia, Nigeria etc which are the major sources of students going abroad for studies.
Students who are young, inexperienced and new to the Canada has to know English, if they want to communicate between people. Since Canada is a democratic country where many people from various countries come together and improves their diversity, a language like English has a big role in stitching up the strength of that diversity. But when you don’t know it, life in Canada can be quite uncomfortable for the student as well as others.
That is the reason why most of the international students has to score a minimum in any approved English Proficiency Exam like IELTS by the IDP under British Council to come to Canada for further education. Even, people coming to Canada looking for work has to qualify that since English is a vital part of being in Canada and sharing the land space.
However, there has been many situations where these regulations wasn’t followed well or duplicated. This has created various communication problems among students and within the population. This is the primary reason why Canada is updating their language requirements for future students and currently enrolled student.
Read: Changes to Post-graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada: Staying after course completion?
What are the highlighted changes in this new English Proficiency rule in Canada?
The students would be taking an English proficiency test while applying for Visa. That has to be followed as usual by all the future students. Along with that, the students once completed their studies and is preparing to convert their study visa’s into work visa has to undergo one more English Proficiency test. The nature of this test and what kind of tests has not yet been announced and verified. But, it’s speculated that mostly the student have to write the same proficiency test they have taken from their home country, but from Canada under the supervision of Canadian authorities.
What are the reasons that forced Canadian Government to take such an action?
Many students who has good score in the English Proficiency test they appeared from their home country apparently was found to have very poor English language skills. Many students were not even able to speak properly, communicate properly and this caused a serious issue in their employment. Students who have successfully completed their courses were not getting hired due to their poor language skills.
It is assumed that, many of these students has undergone through some malpractices to get their initial language proficiency score and certificates. Since, the Government of Canada has no authority to question their validity and deny their rights, instead they imposed a new law. Hence, the new regulations were proposed and are under process of being enforced.
It is rumoured that in certain countries, students get packages for international studies from certain agents and agencies. It is rumoured that students can pay money to get IELTS score sheets. No authoritative sources have identified how it is being done – whether the certificates are forged or not. People in disguise could impersonate students and writing the exams instead of students. It is also not sure whether the invigilators or exam centre authorities has colluded with this or not.
What will happen if you don’t qualify the second test?
- Students who are currently pursuing a course in Canada will have to appear and score a normalised minimum score of the old score they achieved in the first place before coming to Canada
- Students who are newly applying to Canada will have to do the same after their courses.
- Only students who score the minimum requirement in the second test will be granted a work visa to further stay in Canada after studies.
- If you don’t score enough, there is a chance that you can apply and appear for the test more than one time.
- If you are not able to score in any tests at all, you will have to return back to your home country.
Through this initiative, the government is making sure that all the students that are staying in Canada has a minimum English language requirements. Students those who can’t score enough will have to go back and hence the number of unskilled population can be reduced. Since this is mandatory for new students, only those who are skilled will be able to come and hence reducing the saturation of resources due to high influx of international students.
