If you are applying for Canadian citizenship and you didn't study in English or French, you need to prove that you can speak and listen in English or French at a basic level. One of the ways to do this is the CELPIP-General LS test, a shorter version of the CELPIP test that checks only Listening and Speaking.
On this page I explain what score you need, what the test looks like, and how to prepare without stress. I checked the requirements on the official IRCC citizenship pages and the format on celpip.ca in October 2026. Rules can change, so always confirm on the official Government of Canada website before you book.
Who Needs a Language Test for Citizenship?
IRCC asks applicants aged 18 to 54 to prove that they can speak and listen at CLB 4 or higher in English or French. A language test is one way to prove this. Another is proof that you completed or are attending a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French. If you have that proof, you may not need a test at all.
What Score Do You Need?
You need CLB 4 in Listening and CLB 4 in Speaking. CELPIP levels match CLB levels directly, so on the CELPIP test that means:
| Skill | Minimum CELPIP level |
|---|---|
| Listening | 4 |
| Speaking | 4 |
Reading and Writing don't count for citizenship. CLB 4 is described as "adequate proficiency for daily life activities": you understand everyday conversations, you can answer simple questions about yourself and your life, and you can explain a simple situation, even with some mistakes. For what each level means, see the CELPIP score chart.
CELPIP-General LS vs CELPIP-General
| CELPIP-General LS | CELPIP-General | |
|---|---|---|
| Skills | Listening and Speaking | Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking |
| Time | about 1 hour 10 minutes | just under 3 hours |
| Used for | citizenship | permanent residence and other purposes |
| Price in Canada (October 2026) | CA$195 + tax | CA$290 + tax |
Both are taken on a computer at a test centre, in one sitting, with no separate speaking appointment. If you only need citizenship, the LS test is shorter and cheaper. If you will also apply for permanent residence (for example, through Express Entry), take the full CELPIP-General test instead, because the LS test is not accepted for permanent residence. Prices outside Canada are different.
What Is in the LS Test?
The Listening and Speaking sections are the same as in the full CELPIP-General test (see the full CELPIP test format).
Listening (46–55 minutes, 6 parts): problem solving, a daily life conversation, listening for information, a news item, a discussion (a short video) and viewpoints. You hear each recording once and see the questions after it, so taking short notes is important. Read CELPIP Listening: all 6 parts explained to know what to expect in each part.
Speaking (about 15 minutes, 8 tasks): giving advice, talking about a personal experience, describing a scene, making predictions, comparing and persuading, dealing with a difficult situation, expressing opinions and describing an unusual situation. You have 30 to 60 seconds to prepare and 60 or 90 seconds to speak.
How to Prepare for CLB 4
CLB 4 is a reachable goal, and for most people the challenge is not the English itself but the format: speaking to a computer with a timer, and hearing a recording only once.
- Get used to the timer. Record yourself answering a Speaking task in 60 seconds. At CLB 4 you don't need perfect grammar, but you do need to keep talking and answer the question. My Speaking templates give you a simple way to start, continue and finish each task.
- Practise listening once. Listen to a short everyday conversation one time, write two or three words for each idea, and then answer questions about it.
- Learn everyday words by topic. Housing, work, shopping, neighbours and health come up again and again. My free Vocabulary Booster has everyday and more precise words for 10 speaking topics, with practice for all 8 tasks.
- Try test-style questions. My free practice questions with model answers include a question for every Speaking task.
Results
Scores are usually available in your online CELPIP account 2–4 business days after the test, and you download the official score report as a PDF to send with your application. More details in CELPIP results: how long they take and how long they're valid.
If you'd like to practise Speaking with a teacher who knows the test format, you can book a lesson with me. I'm a CELPIP-trained instructor and I help adults prepare for the CELPIP test one-on-one.