Reaching a Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) level 7 in French can greatly improve your chances of getting Canadian permanent residency (PR) through Express Entry.
Getting an NCLC 7 in your second official language gives you up to 62 CRS points, and it also makes you eligible for French-language category draws, which often have lower cut-off scores.
Today, we will discuss how you can improve your French skills & move from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Why French Helps You Immigrate To Canada?
Reaching an NCLC level 7 in all four abilities, i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking can raise your CRS score, thus making your Express Entry profile more stronger and competitive.
With an NCLC 7, you also qualify for French-language category-based draws, which often invite candidates with lower scores. So far this year, Canada has already held many French draws with very competitive cut-offs:
| Draw Type | CRS Cut-Off Score Range | Number Of Draws Held |
| French-language proficiency | 379 – 481 | 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 518 – 547 | 11 |
| Healthcare and social services | 470 – 510 | 5 |
| Education | 462 – 479 | 2 |
| Trades | 505 | 1 |
Under the “Additional factors” section in the CRS system, you can get up to 50 extra points if you reach NCLC 7 and you already have CLB 5 in English across all abilities.
You can also get up to 12 points under “Core human capital” for second-language skills if you have no accompanying spouse.
Some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) also prioritize candidates who can speak French well, so NCLC 7 increases your chances there too.
Moreover, Canada plans to admit more French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec. The current target is 8.5% in 2025, and will rise to:
- 9% in 2026
- 9.5% in 2027
- 10.5% in 2028
Easy Ways To Increase Your French Level (From NCLC 5 To NCLC 7)
Improving your French requires regular practice and the right study methods. Below are simple and effective ways to level up faster.
1. Study French Every Day
Improving your French depends on regular, focused practice. Try to study at the same time every day, for at least one to two hours, to move up to a higher NCLC level.
Practice all four skills, i,e., reading, listening, writing, and speaking, so that you grow in every area. If one skill is hard for you, spend extra time on it.
Also, try to balance formal learning with real-life use. For example, do your language exercises first, then have a short conversation or write a few sentences to apply what you learned.
2. Join An Immersion Retreat Or Program
Many learners get stuck at an “intermediate level.” They understand the language but cannot use it smoothly.
French immersion programs help you move past this stage. They offer:
- Full-time French communication
- Real daily conversations
- Quick improvement in listening and speaking
- Better confidence
When you use French all day, your brain becomes faster at reacting and forming sentences.
3. Work Or Volunteer In A French Environment
In order to improve your French skills & move from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7, you can work or volunteer in a French environment.
Well, working or volunteering in French-speaking places can help you progress quickly. These environments push you to use French in many real-life situations.
You might need to:
- Explain information
- Coordinate tasks
- Join meetings
- Solve problems
- Talk to coworkers or clients
This builds strong vocabulary, helps you learn natural expressions, and teaches you how French is used in daily life, not just in textbooks.
4. Learn With A Certified French Tutor Or Coach
A certified language coach can help you learn faster by giving you structure and clear guidance. Unlike general study, one-on-one lessons give you quick feedback on pronunciation, grammar, sentence structure, and wording, so you can fix mistakes right away and move toward a higher level.
A certified tutor can also create lessons that focus on the skills you find difficult. They can use practice tests and real-life tasks to help you get ready for actual evaluations.
5. Study With TEF Or TCF Test Material
Besides general French study, you can improve faster by using TEF or TCF Canada practice materials. Sample tests and study guides help you understand what the real exam will look like.
Learning the question types like timed listening sections or short written opinions helps you see where you are weak, such as speaking quickly or using proper connectors in writing. Practicing often in exam-like conditions can increase your speed, accuracy, and confidence. This way, your study time directly matches the skills required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
6. Listen To French News And Media
Regularly reading French news, listening to French radio (like Radio Canada ICI Première), or following events in French-speaking regions helps you hear how the language is used in real life.
This kind of exposure builds your understanding of natural sentences, rhythm, and transitions that you may not find in textbooks. Moreover, by noticing how ideas are explained and supported in French, you improve your comprehension and learn how to express more complex thoughts clearly.
7. Practice Reverse Translation
Another way to improve your French skills & move from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7 is by practicing reverse translation.
Here’s how it works:
- Take a short French text.
- Translate it into English.
- Translate your English version back into French without looking at the original.
- Compare the two French versions.
This method will help you notice:
- Missing vocabulary
- Wrong sentence patterns
- Incorrect expressions
- Grammar differences
With time, your writing and speaking will improve a lot.
8. Join An Au Pair Program
Au pair programs let you live with and help a host family in a French-speaking area. This gives you one of the best chances to use French every day. The job includes tasks like planning schedules, going to activities, and having daily conversations with both children and adults.
Because you speak and listen so much in real situations, you naturally improve your listening skills and your ability to speak without hesitation. Moreover, this kind of real-life practice helps you build strong, practical French skills that go beyond what you learn in a classroom.
What NCLC Level 7 Means?
There are three main language levels:
- Basic Language Ability
- Intermediate Language Ability
- Advanced Language Ability
NCLC 7 falls in the intermediate stage and means you can use French well enough for everyday and professional situations.
Below is a simple table explaining what NCLC 7 looks like for each ability and what the two French tests include:
Language Skills Table
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français.
TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français.
| Language Skill | Abilities | Language Test Structure |
| Reading | – Can identify the purpose, main ideas, key details, and certain implied meanings in a text. – Understands factual, descriptive, and argumentative writings. – Comprehends a range of vocabulary, from concrete and abstract to some specialized terms and idiomatic expressions. – At times still uses a unilingual dictionary to clarify unfamiliar words. | TCF Canada: 39 questions, multiple choice (1 hour) TEF Canada: 40 questions, multiple choice (1 hour) Test content: Read and comprehend texts that may include concrete or abstract texts. Both tests for reading are computer-based. |
| Writing | – Can produce moderately long, well-organized passages made up of clear and connected paragraphs. – Expresses main ideas and supporting details effectively, using a varied range of vocabulary. – May still rely on sentence patterns from their native language. | TCF Canada: 3 exercises (1 hour) TEF Canada: 2 sections (1 hour) Section A: 25 minutes Section B: 35 minutes Test content: Explain or convey information, continue an article, or justify a point of view. Both tests for writing are computer-based. |
| Speaking | – Communicates with growing confidence across social, educational, and workplace contexts, adjusting tone and formality as necessary. – Can discuss a wider range of topics, including some abstract ideas. – Uses a bigger vocabulary with idiomatic and natural expressions. | TCF Canada: 3 exercises (12 minutes) TEF Canada: 2 sections (15 minutes) Section A: 5 minutes Section B: 10 minutes Test content: Expected to obtain information, express a point of view, and speak to an unknown individual (examiner). Both tests are one-on-one with an examiner. |
| Listening | – Can follow and understand conversations of moderate complexity in everyday and work settings. – Understands abstract ideas and general knowledge topics. – Recognizes tones, styles, expressions, and implied meanings. – May still struggle with fast group conversations. | TCF Canada: 39 questions, multiple choice (35 minutes) TEF Canada: 40 questions, multiple choice (40 minutes) Audio documents include everyday information and common expressions. Both tests are computer-based. |
On the contrary, people with French at NCLC level 5 or 6 will usually:
- Understand only some common phrases, expressions, and complex sentences
- Need visual aids or a bilingual dictionary to understand certain words or fast conversations
- Pause or hesitate when speaking and make some grammar mistakes
- Need others to speak clearly and at a slow or normal speed
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