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What type of English proficiency do I require?

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Prospective students for all programs must submit proof of English proficiency equivalent to Grade 12 English.  

The English 12 requirement can be met in several ways which are outlined below:  

  1. Highschool Coursework Pathway: An Official Transcript indicating successful completion of Grade 12 English or equivalent course. Equivalent Canadian courses include: 

  • BC: English Studies 12; English 12; English First Peoples 12; English Literature 12; or Communications 12;  

  • AB/NWT/NU: English Language Arts 30-1; or English Language Arts 30-2;  

  • SK: English Language Arts A30 and English Arts B30;  

  • MB: English Language Arts: Comprehensive Focus 40S; English Language Arts: Literacy Focus 40S; or English Language Arts: Transitional Focus;  

  • ON: English ENG4U; or English ENG4C;  

  • QC: English 603 series;  

  • NL: English 3201;  

  • NB: English 121; or English 122;  

  • NS: English 12; or Advanced English 12;  

  • PEI: English 621A; or Advanced English 611. 

  1. Post Secondary Coursework Pathway: An Official Transcript indicating successful completion of any Canadian university-level 100 English course; or an English Assessment indicating English proficiency equivalent to the successful completion of Grade 12 English from a recognized university or college.  

  2. Examination Pathway: The English requirement may also be challenged with satisfactory scores from one of the following tests. You must achieve these minimum scores in a single sitting/attempt of the test (test scores across multiple instances of an exam cannot be used to satisfy minimum component requirements). Tests will be accepted within ten years from the original examination date with the following minimum scores:  

  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Overall score: 60, Reading: 60, Listening: 60, Writing: 60, and Speaking: 60  

  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) online or on-site: Reading: 7, Writing: 7, Listening: 7, and Speaking: 7  

  • Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT): Listening: 7, Speaking: 7, Reading: 7, and Writing: 7  

  • International English Language Testing System - General (IELTS): Overall score: 6.0 with no band less than 6.0  

  • International English Language Testing System - Academic (IELTS): Overall score: 6.0 with no band less than 6.0  

  • International Test of English Proficiency - Academic (iTEP): Overall Assessment: Level 4.0, Grammar: 4.0, Listening: 4.0, Reading: 4.0, Writing: 4.0, Speaking: 4.0  

  • TOEFL Internet-based test: Overall score: 80, Reading: 20, Listening: 20, Writing: 20, and Speaking: 20  

  • TOEFL Paper-based test with the TWE (Test of Written English): Reading: 55, Listening: 55, Writing: 55, and TWE: 4.0  

  • Some exceptions may apply to these scores where scores are very close to the minimum score, the registrar deems that the student has sufficient English Proficiency for entry to the program, and that the student feels confident using the English Language. This is to ensure mature students with testing anxiety are not excluded from the program.  

  • If the option exists, students may complete an English Language Proficiency Assessment at a local college or university.  To meet the English requirements of the program, the test results need to clearly indicate that the student is proficient in the English language.  

  • All assessments will be at the expense of the prospective student.  

  • Examination Pathway resources: 

  • For English-speaking students that require upgrading  

  • Complete classroom or online-based course(s) that will satisfy PRECI’s English requirement. Information regarding Adult Upgrading can be found at, http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/adult-education/adult-upgrading.  

  • For ESL Students  

  • Complete classroom or online-based course(s) that will satisfy PRECI’s English requirement. Information regarding learning English can be found at, http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/adult-education/adult-upgrading-learn-english.  

  1. Exempt Country Pathway: Successfully completed with passing grades three years of full-time education in English at secondary (high school) or post-secondary (university or college) levels in one of the following exempt countries:  

A - American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Austria  

B - Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belgium, Bermuda, Belize, Botswana, British Solomon Island, British West Indies  

C - Canada, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Island  

D - Denmark, Dominica  

E - England, Eire  

F - Faroe Island, Falkland Islands, Fiji Islands, Finland  

G - Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Gilbert & Ellice Islands, Grenada, Guam, Guyana  

I - Ireland, Isle of Man  

J - Jamaica  

K - Kenya, Kiribati  

L - Leeward Islands, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg  

M - Malta, Malawi, Mauritius, Montserrat  

N - Namibia, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Northern Ireland, Norway  

P - Pitcairn Islands  

S - Scotland, Seychelles , Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland  

T - Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands  

U - Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America  

V – Virgin Islands (U.K. and U.S.A)  

W – Wake-Midway Island, Wales, Windward Islands  

Z – Zimbabwe, Zambia  

Coursework must include an English course considered equivalent to grade 12 English. A transcript must be submitted to Pacific Rim Early Childhood Institute stating the language of instruction and must show an English course equivalent to grade 12 English.  

For students who do not meet the English 12 requirement for admission, we recommend the following options prior to registration:

For English-speaking students that require upgrading

For ESL Students

For students who already have a high level of skill in English reading, writing and grammar

The English requirement may also be challenged with satisfactory scores from one of the following tests with the following minimum scores:

  • ACCUPLACER (Grade 12 English Equivalency Test). Reading Comprehension 260+, Writing Skills 250+, Writeplacer Essay 5+. This online assessment can be booked and completed from anywhere through North Island College. For more information, email NIC Assessment Services at assessmentcvc@nic.bc.ca and request an Accuplacer English assessment for Pacific Rim.
  • Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): B
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Overall score: 60, Reading: 60, Listening: 60, Writing: 60, and Speaking: 60
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) online or on-site: Reading: 7, Writing: 7, Listening: 7, and Speaking: 7
  • Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT): Listening: 7, Speaking: 7, Reading: 7, and Writing: 7
  • Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): C
  • International English Language Testing System - General (IELTS): Overall score: 6.0 with no band less than 6.0
  • International English Language Testing System - Academic (IELTS): Overall score: 6.0 with no band less than 6.0
  • International Test of English Proficiency - Academic (iTEP): Overall Assessment: Level 4.0, Grammar: 4.0, Listening: 4.0, Reading: 4.0, Writing: 4.0, Speaking: 4.0
  • Language Proficiency Index (LPI): Score: 5 or higher
  • Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with the MELAB Oral Interview: Final score: 85 with 3 in the speaking test
  • Pearson Test of English - Academic (PTE): Overall score: 65, Reading: 60, Listening: 60, Writing: 60, and Speaking: 60
  • TOEFL Internet-based test: Overall score: 80, Reading: 20, Listening: 20, Writing: 20, and Speaking: 20
  • TOEFL Paper-based test with the TWE (Test of Written English): Reading: 55, Listening: 55, Writing: 55, and TWE: 4.0

All assessments will be at the expense of the prospective student.