CLB vs TCF Canada – NCLC Equivalency Table
Liam is a citizen of Belgium. Despite French being his mother tongue language, he has heard he needs to take a French test to immigrate to Canada. Of course, Canada accepts two French tests; TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Unfortunately, their expectations are confusing to Liam. They say you need to have such and such CLB/NCLC score. The test Liam is taking is TCF Canada. He wonders what the relationship between TCF Canada test results and CLB levels is. In fact, Liam is looking for an equivalency table that compares CLB vs TCF Canada.
If you intend to immigrate to Canada, you will likely need to take a language test. Canadian immigration authorities currently accept the following tests:
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (Only CELPIP General)
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System (Only IELTS General)
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
The last first two tests show your proficiency in the English language. However, if you intend to prove your French language knowledge, you need to take one of the last two tests: TEF Canada or TCF Canada. This article introduces TCF Canada and its relationship to CLB, also known as NCLC.
What is TCF Canada?
TCF stands for Test de connaissance du français. The test evaluates your knowledge and fluency in the French language.
What is CLB or NCLC?
CLB stands for the Canadian Language Benchmark. The government of Canada uses CLB to identify your mastery of the English language. The French language equivalent to CLB is the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
The CLB table
CLB offers scores between 1 and 12. The following tables show the meaning of each score (source: canada.ca).
Stage I – Basic Language Ability
| Benchmark and Ability Level |
Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
| CLB 1: Initial CLB 2: Developing CLB 3: Adequate CLB 4: Fluent |
Interpreting simple spoken communication in routine, non-demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. |
Creating simple spoken communication in routine, non-demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Interpreting simple written communication in routine, non-demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating simple written communication in routine, non-demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. |
Stage II – Intermediate Language Ability
| Benchmark and Ability Level |
Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
| CLB 5: Initial CLB 6: Developing CLB 7: Adequate CLB 8: Fluent |
Interpreting moderately complex spoken communication in moderately demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating moderately complex spoken communication in moderately demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Interpreting moderately complex written communication in moderately demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating moderately complex written communication in moderately demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. |
Stage III – Advanced Language Ability
| Benchmark and Ability Level |
Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
| CLB 9: Initial CLB 10: Developing CLB 11: Adequate CLB 12: Fluent |
Interpreting complex spoken communication in demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating complex spoken communication in demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Interpreting complex written communication in demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating complex written communication in demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. |
CLB vs TCF Canada table
TCF results do not match CLB/NCLC levels directly. Consequently, we need to refer to reliable sources to find their equivalency. I have used Canada.ca to develop the following CLB/TCF table. The first column shows the CLB level. Of course, the other four columns show the TCF equivalency for each competency area.
| CLB/NCLC Level | TCF Reading | TCF Writing | TCF Listening | TCF Speaking |
| 1 – 3 | 342< | 4< | 331< | 4< |
| 4 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
| 5 | 375-405 | 6 | 369-397 | 6 |
| 6 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
| 7 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
| 8 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 12-13 |
| 9 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 14-15 |
| 10 – 12 | 549-699 | 16-20 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
While I have done my best to avoid any mistakes, this table is not the official conversion table. Consult with other sources as well. You may also consider reading the following articles:
- Minimum language requirements for Express Entry
- Work Permit for Francophones
- CLB vs IELTS – Equivalency Table
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Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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