Non-English Speakers Seeking Employment in Canada (Tips and Guide)

Working in Canada is fantastic. The Canadian economy is prospering, and the country’s industry is expanding quickly.

A pressing need for outside employees to fill the openings the local labor market cannot fill is created when you combine this with an aging population. There are more than 1 million open positions in Canada.

The majority of occupations in Canada have benefits that the government mandates, and the minimum salary are extremely high. These reasons make it hard to understand why so many job seekers worldwide are lining up to enter the Canadian labor force.

Even though Canada is renowned for its appreciation for foreign immigrants and the upkeep of their cultures once they settle there, there must always be a medium of education. Since English and French are Canada’s official languages and over 75% of Canadians speak English as their first language, most businesses only use English.

This may be a problem for many foreign students because they frequently do not speak English and cannot comprehend the Canadian educational system. Many people instinctively ask the following inquiry as a result of this.

Can someone who doesn’t speak English work in Canada?

No, unless you’re talking in French. Your attempts as a non-English speaker to work in Canada without knowing at least a basic level of one of its official languages would be ineffective.

However, there will be much employment in Canada that you might be able to get if you speak French. Yet, Quebec, Canada’s main French-speaking province, is where most occupations are concentrated. Additionally, as English is the dominant language in Canada, you will probably pass up the vast majority of employment prospects there.

1. Determine What English Level Is Acceptable

What English proficiency is acceptable?

This depends on the kind of work you do and how skilled you are. The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) system, developed by the Canadian government, is a mechanism for classifying language ability.

What does Canadian Language Benchmark mean?

Your ability to manage circumstances and communicate in English to the Canadian government and your potential employer is demonstrated by your proficiency in the Canadian Language Benchmark. You must pass English or French test approved by the government to receive a Canadian Language Benchmark.

How does your English language requirement change depending on the kind and amount of work you do?

There are various prerequisites for various jobs. Some call for considerable writing, while others demand frequent consumer contact. Different jobs call for varying degrees of education and skill.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) system was developed by the Canadian government to identify which jobs in Canada require certain qualifications. Every occupation in Canada is categorized using the NOC system and assigned a NOC skill level and a NOC code.

What CLB is required for my level of NOC skill?

For entry into one of Canada’s immigration programs, each NOC skill level must meet tight requirements for the CLB level. Employers in Canada frequently adhere to the same criteria since they must be able to communicate successfully with employees. The criteria are as follows:

2. Determine Your Current CLB Level

If you cannot comprehend or speak English, this does not apply to you. However, knowing your present CLB level can be very helpful in identifying your strengths and shortcomings to improve your language skills if you don’t speak English but have some comprehension and proficiency in the language.

A practice exam for one of the recognized Canadian English language tests, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, is a wonderful approach to establishing your current CLB level (CELPIP).

These accessible practice exams are available and are largely comparable to the actual exams.

Since the IELTS exam is the current benchmark for English international testing and demonstrates your capacity to work domestically and abroad, we strongly advise taking the practice exams.

3. Develop Your English

Once you have established your present CLB level, you must bridge the gap between it and the level required to secure employment in Canada. There are numerous ways to hone your English-speaking and language skills daily. Here are a few instances.

Use English-language media

For a variety of reasons, this is a favorite among ex-pats. One of the main ones is that you can have fun while learning English by listening to conversations and circumstances, which will also help you grasp spoken English and English-language reading and increase your capacity for understanding.

Try to consume English-language media daily, and try to consume a range of media, including movies, books, television series, newspapers, and even music.

Discussing things In English

You must be able to communicate effectively in English and listen to as much of it as possible. Regular English-language interactions will improve your ability to listen and speak fluently and participate fully in Canadian society.

Learn English by taking a course

Attending an English language class or course can be quite beneficial if you want to obtain a good foundation in language basics, grammar, and vocabulary and assist with reading and writing abilities.

Many courses will help you go over the fundamentals, even though our IELTS Course will significantly improve how you do in your examinations and a more profound understanding of English.

Keep a journal in English

An English journal that you keep daily can help you improve your writing. Record the happenings of each day in an English entry in the journal. It can be as basic or complex as you wish, but even a small amount each day can make a significant difference in your vocabulary use, sentence structure, and confidence while writing in English.

4. Verify your Canadian Immigration Eligibility

Obtain a curated Resume

One of the most important things you should ensure is that your resume is thorough and written in flawless English so that you come across to a potential employer in the best possible light.

Find a Job Online

Utilizing a Canadian job site like the government of Canada’s job bank, Indeed.ca, or Glassdoor.ca is how to locate a job in Canada once your CV is ready. Each website features thousands of job listings and an estimate of the pay you would receive for each position.