English Language Proficiency Requirements
ESL/EAL Pathways courses
Important Notice
- For programs starting September 2024 (or later), there are more options for meeting English Language Proficiency requirements. Check requirements for September 2024 (or later).
- For programs starting before September 2024, follow the requirements shown below.
If you want to register in ESL/EAL Pathways or ESL/EAL Pathways – Advanced courses, you can use the following assessments to meet VCC’s English language requirements.
If you have IETLS General or Academic results (taken within the last 2 years) or a LINC Progress Report or Certificate, the EAL department can help you determine your level.
Requirements for ELSK Courses
To enter into the courses listed below, you will need achieve one of the scores:
| Course | CLB* / CELPIP | Duolingo** | VCC EAL Accuplacer and Speaking Assessment | EAP Level*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELSK 0915 - ESL Listening & Speaking 9 |
Listening: 8 Speaking: 8 |
115-120 (min. 115 in both Conversation and Literacy) | Listening: 93 Speaking: 8 |
IV |
| ELSK 0920 - ESL Reading & Writing 9 |
Reading: 8 Writing: 8 |
115-120 (min. 115 in both Conversation and Literacy) | Reading Skills: 109 WritePlacer EAL: 6 |
IV |
| ELSK 0925 - EAL Pathway to University Transfer English |
Reading: 8 Writing: 8 |
115-120 (min. 115 in both Conversation and Literacy) | Reading Skills: 109 WritePlacer EAL: 6 |
IV |
| ELSK 0815 - ESL Listening & Speaking 8 |
Listening: 7 Speaking: 7 |
105-110 in Conversation | Listening: 86 Speaking: 7 |
III |
| ELSK 0820 - ESL Reading & Writing 8 |
Reading: 7 Writing: 7 |
105-110 in Literacy | Reading Skills: 102 WritePlacer EAL: 5 |
III |
| ELSK 0715 - ESL Listening & Speaking 7 |
Listening: 6 Speaking: 6 |
95-100 in Conversation | Listening: 78 Speaking: 6 |
II |
| ELSK 0720 - ESL Reading & Writing 7 |
Reading: 6 Writing: 6 |
95-100 in Literacy | Reading Skills: 95 WritePlacer EAL: 4 |
II |
| ELSK 0615 - ESL Listening & Speaking 6 |
Listening: 5 Speaking: 5 |
75-90 in Conversation | Listening: 71 Speaking: 5 |
I |
| ELSK 0620 - ESL Reading & Writing 6 |
Reading: 5 Writing: 5 |
75-90 in Literacy | Reading Skills: 87 WritePlacer EAL: 3 |
I |
| ELSK 0515 - ESL Listening & Speaking 5 |
Listening: 4 Speaking: 4 |
55-70 in Conversation | Listening: 61 Speaking: 4 |
NA |
| ELSK 0520 - ESL Reading & Writing 5 |
Reading: 4 Writing: 4 |
55-70 in Literacy | Reading Skills: 77 WritePlacer EAL: 2 |
NA |
Which courses can I take? You must have the required scores (or higher) for each skill shown for your course. You can choose your courses based on your lowest score. For example, if you completed the CELPIP test and you want to take ESL Listening and Speaking 9, you must have scored at least 8 in Listening and 8 in Speaking. If you scored 8 in Listening and 7 in Speaking, you should take ESL Listening and Speaking 8.
If you have questions about your scores, you can contact the department at eal@vcc.ca.
Assessment results: Assessments must include all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing (even if your course only requires two skills).
How long are assessments valid?
- CLB tests and assessments: 1 year
- CELPIP reports: 2 years
- Duolingo scores: 2 years
- EAP levels as shown on the BC TransferGuide: do not expire
- IELTS General or Academic scores: 2 years (contact the department at eal@vcc.ca to determine your level)
- LINC certificates: do not expire (contact the department at eal@vcc.ca to determine your level)
- VCC Pathways course grades: do not expire
Which Canadian Language Benchmarks level or CELPIP results can I use?
- Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT)
- Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA)
- Canadian Language Benchmarks - Online Self Assessment (CLB-OSA)
- Canadian Language Benchmarks Report Card / LINC report card
- CELPIP General Official Score Report
- VCC Pathways course grades
Questions?
Contact Advising Services if you have questions about applying to VCC or meeting admissions requirements.
Contact the English as an Additional Language department at eal@vcc.ca if you have questions about your assessment results or your EAL level.