Projects & Research
Learn more about CCLB initiatives
Explore CCLB’s current initiatives, selected past work, research, sector updates, and newsletters in one clear place. This page should make it easier for users to understand what CCLB is working on now, what has been completed, and where to find relevant updates and resources. This direction reflects the site’s existing mix of current projects, archived projects, research, newsletters, webinars, and community updates.
Current Work
CCLB Current Projects
Explore CCLB’s active initiatives supporting national language standards, assessment, curriculum development, and professional resources. The current site presents this as an overview of ongoing work in support of the Canadian Language Benchmarks and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
Ensuring Reliable National Language Standards (ERN)
April 23, 2026
Supports updated national language frameworks and strengthens standardized, accountable language training across diverse delivery models.
National NCLC Placement Test (BTC-NCLC) and CLIC Curriculum
April 23, 2026
Advances new BTC-NCLC placement test forms while continuing development of the National Online CLIC Curriculum and related guidelines.
PBLA / ELBP Projects
April 23, 2026
Supports instructors and administrators with professional development, tools, assessments, and classroom resources for PBLA/ELBP and Language for Success.
Ensuring Reliable National Language Standards (ERN)
Supports updated national language frameworks and strengthens standardized, accountable language training across diverse delivery models.
National NCLC Placement Test (BTC-NCLC) and CLIC Curriculum
Advances new BTC-NCLC placement test forms while continuing development of the National Online CLIC Curriculum and related guidelines.
PBLA / ELBP Projects
Supports instructors and administrators with professional development, tools, assessments, and classroom resources for PBLA/ELBP and Language for Success.
Past Work
Completed and Recent Projects
Explore selected completed initiatives and recent project work through a more curated, easy-to-browse view.
Benchmarking the Language Demands of Veterinarians in Ontario
Benchmarks the English and French language demands veterinarians need to work safely and effectively in Ontario.
Canadian Language Benchmarks of Red Seal Examination Questions
Reviews English and French Red Seal exam questions to support consistent benchmark levels over time.
National LINC Online Curriculum and Online PBLA Project
Supports national online LINC courseware and PBLA resources for effective online and blended language training.
Benchmarking the Language Demands of Veterinarians in Ontario
CCLB, with funding from, and in consultation with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, will benchmark the language demands (both French and English) of veterinarians in Ontario. The project will unfold during a one-year period beginning in late January 2024. The final report, expected to be issued in December 2024, will describe the benchmarks of the listening, speaking, reading, and writing tasks required of veterinarians in Ontario. It will provide a clear blueprint of the language requirements needed to work safely as a veterinarian in Ontario, based on Canada’s national language standards: Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and Niveaux de compétence
Canadian Language Benchmarks of Red Seal Examination Questions
Start date: January 26, 2022 End date: March 31, 2024 Funded by: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) CCLB has been funded to review current reading competency levels of English and French Red Seal Examinations as provided by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) using the Canadian Language Benchmarks and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens. Main Outcome: Ensure consistency of language benchmarks in the development of Red Seal examinations over the years.
National LINC Online Curriculum and Online PBLA Project
Start date: September 18, 2020 End date: March 31, 2025 Subcontracted by: Achēv and funded by: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Until March 2025, the National LINC Online Curriculum (NLOC) and Online PBLA project will develop Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) online courseware for Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels 3 to 5 across all skill areas (L/S/R/W). The project will contribute to building the infrastructure to support LINC service providers across Canada in the delivery of efficient and effective online language training. The project aims to enable LINC instructors across Canada to use a PBLA supported, ready-made
Funders
Supporting the Work Behind CCLB
CCLB’s work is supported by funders who help make key projects, resources, research, and sector initiatives possible. Their support strengthens the development and delivery of language standards, assessment tools, professional learning, and related services.
Provides support for initiatives that contribute to national standards, learning resources, and sector-wide development.
Provides support for projects related to language training, assessment, and resources serving newcomers and the broader settlement sector.
Partners
Working Together Across the Sector
CCLB works with selected partners and collaborators across education, training, assessment, and professional sectors to support projects, research, tools, and practical resources. These partnerships help connect standards and frameworks to real-world needs and applications.
Partners
Working Together Across the Sector
CCLB works with selected partners and collaborators across education, training, assessment, and professional sectors to support projects, research, tools, and practical resources. These partnerships help connect standards and frameworks to real-world needs and applications.
Research
Research and Insights
Present research as a focused and selective area featuring important studies, consultations, surveys, and reports that support CCLB’s standards, tools, and sector work. The current Research area appears to surface recent items such as the 2025 National Consultation Survey and consultation-related posts, but the redesign should make this content feel more intentional and less like a default post feed.
Evaluation of the Portfolio Based Language Assessment (PBLA)
Evaluation of the use of PBLA with Literacy Learners
Assigning or removing the L for literacy designation
Centre for Canadian LanguageBenchmarked Professions
2025 National Consultation Survey on the CLB/NCLC
2025 National Consultation on the CLB/NCLC
2025 National Consultation Survey
Participate in the National Consultation Survey to modernize the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) The Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB), conducted by Pivotal Research Inc., an independent Canadian research firm, is seeking input from language professionals, educators, administrators, and other stakeholders through a National Consultation Survey on modernizing the CLB. Purpose of the survey The survey aims to: Explore how the CLB/NCLC frameworks are used, understood, and integrated. Identify opportunities for improvement and innovation to better reflect the diverse realities of learners and practitioners. The survey takes about 15–20 minutes to complete and is recommended to be done in one
2025 National Consultation on the CLB/NCLC
The CCLB has been funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to update the national language frameworks: CLB: ESL for Adults, CLB: ESL for ALL, NCLC : Français langue seconde pour adultes, NCLC : FLS pour AMA. The update will be about modernizing the CLB/NCLC. It is not a review of the theoretical foundations or a revalidation of the frameworks. We will not be re-considering the model of communicative language ability, the number of stages or levels. We will be reviewing how we can modernize the content, including making it more user-friendly, more accessible to more users and potential users,
Assigning or removing the L for literacy designation
Report - Assigning or Removing L for literacy designation 2024Download
Benchmarked Professions
Nursing CELBAN is a test of language proficiency for internationally educated nurses (IENs) who have completed their nursing education in another country and who speak English as a second language. It was developed in 2004 by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB) in consultation with members of the nursing community from regulatory bodies, associations, unions, nursing refresher programs as well as IENs. It was designed to ease the nursing shortage in Canada by providing access to the pool of IENs who arrived in Canada but encountered obstacles to obtaining employment, such as: Recognition of international credentials Relevant assessment of
Evaluation of the use of PBLA with Literacy Learners
Evaluation-of-the-use-of-PBLA-with-Literacy-Learners-Research-Final-ReportDownload
Evaluation of the Portfolio Based Language Assessment (PBLA)
Download (PDF, 593KB)