You may be eligible for a free language assessment and classes if you are one of the following:

• A permanent resident of Canada or a CUAET holder, Ukrainian Temporary Resident and/or Their Dependent(s) until March 31, 2025, or Israeli-Palestinian affected by the conflict in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

• A protected person or a refugee claimant

• A Canadian citizen born outside of Canada

• A PR applicant with a valid work permit or an individual awaiting statutory CIC checks (medical, criminal, etc.)

• A Nova Scotia nominee and their dependants

• An international graduate with a valid work or post graduate permit

• An Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) candidate or an AIP candidate's dependant(s)

No. The following options are available to those seeking for proof of their language skills for citizenship purposes:

• LINC programs (both online and in class) issue
  certificates that are accepted for this purpose.

• CELPIP Test

• IELTS General Test

• Submit an online application form through our website.

• Stop by at our office on Quinpool Road in Halifax. We can help you to submit the form online if you do not have a computer or find it difficult to do it on your own.

Yes. We offer online and in-person testing services throughout of Nova Scotia.

All. Depending on your computer and English language skills, we can offer you the option to take the test online from your home computer. If this is a challenge, we will make other arrangements for your test.

Yes but we will need to determine if you are eligible for online assessment. Our staff will ask you questions to find out if you can take the test online.

• A proctor is a person who will check your immigration documents before your test and will help you to log in and log out of the website which we use for the test.

• A proctor is also a person who might become a valuable source of information about local services for newcomers in your area.

We strive to provide our services in a fast and efficient manner; however, due to the high demand for our test, the current waiting times are longer and can take up to 12 weeks since the moment you applied for assessment.

Appointments are made from Monday to Friday for the following time slots:

• 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

• 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

• Evening assessments can be offered by request. Unfortunately, we do not offer tests on the weekends.
  

• Try to schedule your test on a day when you do not have other appointments.

• Get lots of sleep the night before.

• Do a relaxing activity before you come.

If you have an in-person assessment, bring yourself and your immigration documents (i.e. Canadian passport, Permanent Resident card, nominee letter, AIPP designation letter, work permit and letter proving you have applied for permanent resident status).

If you are scheduled for online assessment, please have a valid photo ID on you to prove your identity. Make sure that your Internet connection is stable and follow the assessor's guidelines.

No. Please make arrangements for somebody to look after your children while you are taking the test.

Your in-person assessment at LENS will take around 3 hours (online test - 2.5 hours).

First, you will have your English test and a short meeting - Language Education Counselling - with your assessor who will discuss your results and what programs you are eligible for.

The test consists of:

• 10 - 20 minute speaking interview with an assessor

• 35 minutes (maximum) of listening on the computer

• 30 minutes (maximum) of writing and 45 minutes (maximum) of reading on the computer or on paper

• Face-to-face Language Education Counselling will be around 10 - 15 minutes long
  (An email with the assessment report and assessor's recommendations will be sent to clients who took the online test 24 hours after the test)

You can use your English test results to:

• find out how well you can speak, listen, read and write in English

• enroll into a free government-funded language course

• set your personal language learning path

• prove your English language skills to your employer or apply for the Adult Learning Program or English for Academic Purposes at NSCC.

Your test results are valid for up to 2 years (24 months).

Please inform us about this situation as soon as possible. We will arrange a second assessor to look at your test papers and will let you know about our decision promptly.