Step-by-Step Tutorial On Using An IELTS To CLB Converter

So, you've set your sights on Canada for immigration or further studies – exciting times ahead! But wait, there's one hurdle you need to overcome: How to convert IELTS to CLB. IELTS is globally recognized for assessing language proficiency and over 4 million people take IELTS tests every year. However, approved tests also include TEF (Test d'évaluation du français) and CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program). CLB is the ultimate benchmark and your IELTS, CELPIP or TEF have to be converted to CLBs. But if you've already taken the IELTS, how do you know where you stand in terms of CLB levels? Fear not, we're here to sort IELTS to CLB Converter for you so you don’t have to ask anyone to “convert my IELTS to CLB”.


How Does The IELTS to CLB Converter Work?

So, what does this conversion of IELTS to CLB Converter look like in practice? Here are a couple of examples to paint a clearer picture of how to convert IELTS to CLB:
  1. Say you score an overall band of 7.0 on your IELTS, with 7.5 in Listening, 7.0 in Reading, 6.5 in Writing, and 7.0 in Speaking. Your corresponding CLB level is a solid 9.
  2. Maybe you've scored an overall band of 6.5, with 6.0 in Listening, 6.5 in Reading, 7.0 in Writing, and 6.5 in Speaking. In that case, the IELTS band to CLB converter calculates your CLB level to be an impressive 8.
But before you ask to convert my IELTS to CLB levels. Let's break down what IELTS and CLB are.

What are IELTS Scores?

Before we dive into the IELTS to CLB Converter, let's understand how IELTS scores work. The IELTS exam assesses your abilities in four key areas:

  1. Listening: This module comprises four sections, each containing different types of recordings. Candidates listen to various audio clips and answer 40 questions within 30 minutes. An additional 10 minutes are provided to transfer answers to the answer sheet.
  2. Reading: Candidates encounter three passages, each followed by a set of 40 questions. They are allotted 60 minutes to read the passages, comprehend the content, and answer the questions accordingly.
  3. Writing: In this module, candidates complete two tasks. Task 1 requires writing a minimum of 150 words based on visual information provided, while Task 2 involves crafting an essay of at least 250 words in response to a given prompt. They are allocated 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2.
  4. Speaking: Divided into three parts, the speaking module assesses the candidate's ability to communicate effectively. It begins with a brief introduction, followed by a task involving a cue card topic, and concludes with a discussion.

Each skill is scored on a scale from 0 to 9, with 9 indicating native-like proficiency.

What Is CLB?

CLB, short for Canadian Language Benchmarks, is the standard measurement used to assess the language skills of immigrants who are looking to live, work, or study in the country. It serves as the gold standard for describing and recognizing language skills, encompassing listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities. It is scored on 12 Levels with 12 being the highest you can go.

The Three Phases of CLB

There are 3 phases of CLB stages to rank according to English proficiency.

  1. Stage I (Benchmarks 1–4): This phase focuses on building fundamental linguistic skills. It covers basic communication needs and lays the groundwork for further language development.
  2. Stage II (Benchmarks 5–8): Intermediate language proficiency takes center stage in this phase. Learners delve deeper into the nuances of the English language, expanding their vocabulary and refining their communication skills.
  3. Stage III (Benchmarks 9–12): Advanced language proficiency marks the pinnacle of the CLB levels. Learners in this phase demonstrate mastery of the English language and are capable of engaging in complex discussions and producing high-level written content.

Now let’s see how to convert IELTS to CLB works.

IELTS to CLB Converter

The IELTS to CLB Converter compares the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking band scores obtained on the IELTS with the appropriate CLB criteria.

On the other hand, the CLB framework is employed by immigration officials to gauge language proficiency. Each of the twelve standards, which range from CLB 1 to CLB 12, represents a distinct competence position in each of the four language domains.

Here is a detailed breakdown of how to convert IELTS to CLB for each order:

1.Listening

The IELTS listening module is designed to evaluate your listening skills in various contexts. Here's what you need to know:
  1. Duration: The listening module lasts for a total of 40 minutes, with 30 minutes allocated for testing and an additional 10 minutes for transferring your answers to the answer sheet.
  2. Question Format: There are 40 questions in total, divided into four sections. Each section contains 10 questions, and as you progress, the difficulty level of the questions increases.
  3. Sections: The listening test is divided into four sections, covering a range of topics and settings. These sections may include conversations, monologues, and presentations, among others.

Here’s how IELTS to CLB Converter gets the IELTS band score converted to CLB levels:

IELTS Band Score CLB Level
8.0 - 9.0 CLB 10-12
7.5 CLB 9
6.0 - 7.0 CLB 7-8
5.5 CLB 6
5.0 CLB 5
Below 5.0 Below CLB 5

2. Reading

The IELTS reading test is tailored to suit the specific needs of test-takers, with separate versions for whether you are taking the test to pursue education or if you plan to work there.

  1. Academic Reading: Designed for students planning to pursue higher education abroad, the Academic IELTS reading module presents complex texts from academic journals, textbooks, and articles.
  2. General Reading: Tailored for individuals seeking employment or immigration opportunities abroad, the General IELTS reading module features texts sourced from newspapers, magazines, notices, and advertisements.
The run down to corresponding IELTS to CLB Converter:
IELTS Band Score CLB Level
8.0 - 9.0 CLB 10-12
7.0 - 7.5 CLB 9
6.0 CLB 8
5.0 - 5.5 CLB 6-7
4.0 - 4.5 CLB 4-5
Below 4.0 Below CLB 4

3. Writing

The IELTS writing module comprises two distinct tasks:

Task 1

Academic IELTS: In this task, candidates are presented with a graph, chart, diagram, or table and are required to describe, summarize, or explain the information in their own words. It's a test of your ability to analyze and present data effectively.

General Training: For candidates opting for the General Training module, Task 1 involves writing a letter based on a given situation or scenario. Whether it's a formal letter to a business or a personal letter to a friend, this task assesses your ability to communicate clearly and appropriately.

Task 2

Essay Writing: Regardless of whether you're tackling the Academic or General Training module, Task 2 remains consistent. Here, candidates are presented with a topic or statement and are required to write an essay expressing their opinions, providing arguments, and supporting them with relevant examples.

How the IELTS band to CLB converter converts it to CLB is stated below:

IELTS Band Score CLB Level
7.0 - 9.0 CLB 10-12
6.5 CLB 9
5.5 - 6.0 CLB 8
4.0 - 5.0 CLB 6-7
3.5 CLB 5
Below 3.5 Below CLB 5

4. Speaking

The IELTS speaking test is your chance to showcase your spoken English skills in a face-to-face interview with an examiner. It consists of three parts and typically lasts 11-14 minutes. While the test is recorded, your examiner will assess your performance in real time and determine your band score based on four key criteria: Fluency & Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Thereon the IELTS Speaking score is converted to CLB levels through the IELTS to CLB Converter.

The IELTS band to CLB converter changes the IELTS score to equivalent CLB Levels which are given below:

IELTS Band Score CLB Level
7.0 - 9.0 CLB 10-12
6.0 - 6.5 CLB 9
5.0 CLB 8
4.0 - 4.5 CLB 6-7
3.5 CLB 5
Below 3.5 Below CLB 5

5. Overall Band Score to CLB Level Conversion

Apart from individual skill assessments, Express Entry uses the overall band score to determine eligibility and ranking. Here's the IELTS to CLB Converter for the overall IELTS band to CLB converter levels:

Overall IELTS Band Score CLB Level
9.0 CLB 12
8.5 CLB 11
8.0 CLB 10
7.5 CLB 9
7.0 CLB 8
6.0 - 6.5 CLB 7
5.0 - 5.5 CLB 6
Below 5.0 Below CLB 6

Conclusion

You said to convert my IELTS to CLB levels, and we complied. TerraTern’s IELTS to CLB converter is a helpful tool for anyone planning to move to Canada. It's part of TerraTern's services, which make the immigration process easier. With this IELTS to CLB Converter, you can check how well you speak English and understand what level you're at for living or studying in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is an IELTS to CLB Converter needed?

An IELTS to CLB Converter helps individuals comprehend how their results from the IELTS relate to the CLB levels.

Apart from IELTS, are there any other language competency exams for Canadian immigration?

Yes, you can also take the Test d'évaluation de français(TEF), in addition to the IELTS.

How can I convert my IELTS to CLB?

You can use conversion tables provided by authorized sources or immigration authorities to convert your IELTS band score to CLB levels or you can use TerraTern’s precise IELTS band to CLB converter.

How is CLB calculated from IELTS?

CLB levels are determined based on the individual scores in each component of the IELTS exam - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

What is 6.5 IELTS equivalent to CLB?

On IELTS to CLB Converter, a score of 6.5 in IELTS generally corresponds to a CLB level 8 in each language skill.

What is CLB 7 in IELTS?

CLB 7 is roughly equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no band lower than 5.0.