2.1.1 English and French Language Assessments

English and French language assessments are a comprehensive review of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

Immigrant learners access ESL assessment services either directly at colleges and institutes, or through Citizenship and Immigration Canada LINC Assessment Centres or in Quebec through the provincial government integration centres (Carrefours d’intégration). The following 11 colleges serve as LINC Assessment Centres in their communities:

• Saskatchewan: SIAST, Cypress Hills Regional College, Parkland Regional College
• Alberta: Norquest College
• British Columbia: North Island College, Selkirk College, College of New Caledonia, Okanagan University College, University College of the Cariboo
• Northwest Territories: Aurora College
• Yukon: Yukon College.

2.1.2 Assessment and Credential Recognition Services for Entrance to College/Institute Education Programs

Colleges and institutes are providing assessment and credential recognition services for entrance to career/technical, applied degree and university transfer programs through:

• Entrance tests to assess language and mathematical skills;
• Services from national or provincial credentialing associations;
• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition services; and
• Relationship building with credentialing associations and bodies.

Provincial and National Credential Assessment Bodies

Most colleges and institutes are liaising with and paying for the services of national and provincial assessment bodies such as the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) used by the Ontario College Application Service to evaluate students, World Education Service (WES) of Canada that is partially funded by the Government of Ontario, or International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) in Alberta. For example, the Centre for Foreign-trained Professionals at Humber Institute of Technology and Applied Learning includes a credential assessment service run by WES.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Responding colleges and institutes most often cited their Prior Learning and Assessment (PLAR) services as their primary method of facilitating Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR). PLAR services already exist within many colleges and institutes and are available to all students, including immigrants. A few colleges and institutes indicated that the demand for PLAR services has increased in recent years.