Is Duolingo accepted by universities in Canada for a study visa?
Duolingo is a language-learning platform that has become very popular in recent years. Many students use it to learn new languages, and some universities even accept Duolingo certificates as proof of language proficiency. But is Duolingo accepted by universities in Canada as a study visa? In this blog post, we’ll explore the answer to that question. Keep reading to find out more!
Center-based testing is no longer possible because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, more and more universities are turning to Duolingo in replacement of the TOEFL and IELTS, which can be taken at home and administered online.
It has been accepted by more than 1,000 colleges and institutions, with many using it as their primary method of assessing English proficiency. Several Canadian institutions are now accepting Duolingo for forthcoming admissions, which we’ll highlight in this post.
The roots of Duolingo may be traced back to Canadian immigration and study visa applications. Taking an approved language exam is required for many Canadian immigration opportunities. Even if the course does not need a test, strong language test scores may help you get through the procedure. Before the coronavirus crisis, however, IRCC only approved the following tests:
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (Only CELPIP General! Don’t take General-LS)
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System (Take the IELTS General test. Don’t take IELTS Academic)
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
What is the Duolingo English Test?
The Duolingo English Test is a new, secure English language proficiency assessment offered by Duolingo, the world’s most popular language-learning platform. It is designed to accurately and efficiently measure a test taker’s English ability. The test is available to anyone, anywhere in the world. You can take it on a computer, and there is also an app (Android and iOS) that allows you to take the test on your mobile device.
What is the IELTS or Toefl equivalency of Duolingo?
IELTS and Duolingo seem to be exams from separate worlds. The Duolingo website, on the other hand, provides the following comparison chart between these assessments.
Test Parameters Duolingo IELTS TOEFL
Mode of examination Computer-based Computer-based Computer-based
Paper-based Paper-based (Available in limited centers)
Exam Fees (USD) $49 $149 $185
Duration (Total) 45 minutes 164 minutes 206 minutes
Results Declaration 48 hours 3-5 days (Computer-based) 8 days
13 days
(Paper-based)
Number of sections 2 4 4
Sections 1. Adaptive section (reading, writing, listening, speaking) 1. Reading 1. Reading
2. Video Interview 2. Speaking 2. Listening
3. Listening 3. Speaking
4. Writing 4. Writing
Scoring Range & Methods Score (10-160) Bands (0-9) Score (0-120)
When it comes to Duolingo, what does IRCC say?
Unless applying under the Student Direct Stream, most study permits don't have language test requirements. There are currently no online language tests that are acceptable for immigration purposes. Duolingo is not acceptable.
More information: https://t.co/oK1OVa6waf
— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) August 7, 2020
Duolingo Accepted Universities In Canada For Study Visa
In the list below you will find the list of the Canadian institutions that accept Duolingo test results for a study permit:
| Academy of Learning Calgary Northeast |
|---|
| Academy of Learning Calgary South |
| Academy of Learning Career College – Halifax Campus |
| Academy of Learning Edmonton Downtown |
| Academy of Learning Edmonton South |
| Academy of Learning Edmonton West |
| Academy of Learning Medicine Hat |
| Academy of Learning Red Deer |
| Acsenda School of Management |
| Alberta Bible College |
| Alberta Business and Educational Services |
| Alberta University of the Arts |
| Alexander College |
| Algoma University |
| Ambrose University |
| Assiniboine Community College |
| Bay River College |
| BCIT – (Submit your test results in pdf format to your BCIT application) |
| Bishop’s University |
| Booth University College |
| Bow Valley College |
| Brandon University |
| Brescia University College – Undergraduate |
| Brock University |
| Burman University |
| Cambrian College |
| Camosun College |
| Canadian College for Higher Studies |
| Canadian Mennonite University |
| Canadore College |
| Cape Breton University – Undergraduate |
| Capilano University |
| Capilano University – Centre of International Experience |
| Carleton University Undergraduate Admissions |
| CDI College |
| Centennial College |
| Centre for Arts and Technology |
| City University of Seattle, Canada |
| Coast Mountain College |
| CodeCore College |
| Collиge LaSalle |
| College of New Caledonia |
| College of the North Atlantic |
| College of the Rockies |
| Collиge Universel |
| Columbia College Vancouver |
| Concordia University – Montreal |
| Concordia University of Edmonton |
| Conestoga College |
| Conestoga College – EAS/ELS English |
| Conestoga College (Domestic Admissions) |
| Confederation College |
| Coquitlam College |
| Crandall University |
| Cumberland College (Agriculture Sciences Certificate Program) |
| Dalhousie University |
| Dorset College Canada |
| Douglas College |
| Douglas College (Domestic Admissions) |
| Durham College Domestic Admissions |
| Durham College International Admissions |
| Emily Carr University of Art + Design |
| Eton College Canada |
| Excel Academy |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver Campus |
| Fanshawe College |
| Fleming College |
| George Brown College Admissions |
| Georgian College |
| Grande Prairie Regional College |
| Grant MacEwan University |
| Great Plains College |
| Humber Institute of Technology and Applied Learning Toronto, Canada (Undergrad and Grad) |
| Huron University College |
| Institut de tourisme et d’hфtellerie du Quйbec (ITHQ) |
| Justice Institute of British Columbia |
| Keyano College |
| KPU – Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Admissions |
| Lakehead University |
| Lakeland College Undergraduate Admissions |
| Langara College |
| Laurentian University – Undergraduate |
| Lethbridge College- |
| Liaison College |
| Loyalist College |
| M College |
| MaKami College |
| Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology Admissions |
| McGill University |
| McMaster University |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland |
| Mentora College |
| Mohawk College (Domestic Admissions) |
| Mohawk College (International Admissions) |
| Montreal College of Information Technology |
| Mount Allison University |
| NetPLUS College of Information Technology |
| New Brunswick College of Craft and Design |
| New Brunswick Community College |
| Niagara College – Toronto |
| Niagara College Canada Undergraduate, Graduate, & ESL |
| Nipawin Bible College |
| Nipissing University |
| NorQuest College |
| North American Business College of Sciences & Languages |
| North Island College |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology |
| Northern College |
| Northern Lights College |
| Okanagan College |
| Olds College |
| Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD) |
| Ontario Tech University |
| Pacific Link College |
| Prairie College |
| Queen’s University |
| Quest University Canada |
| RED Academy Toronto |
| RED Academy Vancouver |
| Red Deer College |
| Red River College |
| Redeemer University |
| Rosewood College |
| Royal Roads University |
| Ryerson University |
| Ryerson University International College |
| Saint Mary’s University (Canada) |
| Saskatchewan Polytechnic |
| Selkirk College |
| Seneca College |
| Simon Fraser University |
| Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) |
| St. Clair College |
| St. Lawrence College |
| St. Stephen’s University – Undergraduate |
| St. Thomas University |
| Steinbach Bible College |
| Surrey Community College (Canada) |
| The King’s University |
| Thompson Rivers University |
| Trent University |
| Trinity Western University |
| University Canada West |
| University College of the North |
| University of Alberta |
| University of British Columbia (UBC) |
| University of Calgary |
| University of Guelph |
| University of Lethbridge |
| University of New Brunswick |
| University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) |
| University of Ottawa |
| University of Prince Edward Island |
| University of Regina |
| University of Saint Katherine |
| University of Saskatchewan |
| University of the Fraser Valley |
| University of Toronto |
| University of Waterloo – Undergraduate |
| University of Windsor |
| University of Winnipeg |
| Vancouver Community College (Domestic Admission) |
| Vancouver Community College (International Student Admission) |
| Vancouver Film School |
| Vancouver Island University |
| Western Community College |
| Western University |
| Wilfrid Laurier International College (Navitas) |
| Wilfrid Laurier University |
| York University Undergraduate Programs |
| Yorkville University |
| Yukon University |
Is Toefl Accepted For Canada Student Visa?
Over 400 Canadian institutions and colleges, as well as 100% of universities, accept the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Within six days, you’ll have your results.
The TOEFL iBT (“Internet-based Test”) is normally offered in more than 150 countries, but the test’s administrator, Education Testing Service (“ETS”), has had to cut down on its operations, much like every other tester.
In the meanwhile, except for mainland China and Iran, ETS is temporarily giving the TOEFL Special Home Edition iBT to overseas students in every country where it conducts examinations. After 6-10 days, the results are available.
Is IELTS general accepted in universities in Canada?
YES, you may study in Canada if you have an IELTS General score. This is because IELTS General rather than Academic is accepted for vocational courses. You must, however, take the IELTS Academic test if you are interested in long-term studies lasting more than a year.
A higher degree of education in an English-speaking country requires the IELTS Academic exam. It determines whether or not you are ready to enroll in college or university.
To speed up their study visa application, students must take either the IELTS Academic or the IELTS General Training exam in person at an IELTS test center. These are the only English language tests that have been recognized by IRCC.
An IELTS score of 6.0 on all four skills is required for IRCC’s Student Direct Stream (SDS) to process study permits for residents of India, the Philippines, China, Vietnam; Pakistan; Morocco; and Senegal within 20 calendar days, as long as they satisfy specific requirements (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
IRCC accepts results from the Academic and General Training IELTS tests, whether they are submitted on paper or electronically.
Which one to take: IELTS or Toefl?
This is the most critical aspect to consider since no other criteria matter if the institutions you’re considering don’t accept the results of the exam you take. Both the TOEFL and the IELTS are generally recognized by undergraduate and graduate schools worldwide.
Although the TOEFL is more widely recognized by American colleges and the IELTS is more widely accepted internationally, many schools accept results from both exams. However, a school can have a preference for whatever exam you take, so keep that in mind.
In general, the majority of institutions questioned in the United States reported that TOEFL results were preferred above scores from other English-language examinations.
Overall, the colleges you’re considering will likely accept grades from either exam, but you should double-check this before deciding on one to prevent any unpleasant surprises down the road. Both the TOEFL and the IELTS make it simple to find out which universities accept their results.
Final words:
Choosing a university program in Canada can be a daunting task. But worry not, we’ve got you covered with our online assessment for study programs in Canada that will help find the perfect fit based on your interests and career goals. Contact us today and we will help you determine whether or not the IELTS exam is right for you and if so how best to prepare.
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