CLB · Levels 1 to 12 · For ESL programs in Canada

Build ESL tests aligned to the Canadian Language Benchmarks

Paliero supports the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) as a level reference system that your evaluators apply. Built for IRCC-funded settlement organizations, community colleges, and adult ESL programs that need a PIPEDA-compliant alternative to manual assessment workflows.

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What are the Canadian Language Benchmarks?

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are the national standard for describing English as a Second Language proficiency in adult learners in Canada. Developed and maintained by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB), the CLB defines 12 benchmarks across the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

The CLB is used by:

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for newcomer language programs
  • Settlement organizations delivering Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programs
  • Community colleges with ESL programs for adult learners
  • Workplace language training providers
  • Professional licensing bodies for internationally trained professionals

The CLB framework is structured in three stages: Stage 1 (Basic Language Ability, CLB 1–4), Stage 2 (Intermediate Language Ability, CLB 5–8), and Stage 3 (Advanced Language Ability, CLB 9–12).

How it works

How CLB assessment works in Paliero

When your evaluators create a CLB-aligned test in Paliero, they select CLB as the reference framework. The grading interface and final report then display the 12 CLB levels. Closed questions are scored automatically. For productive skills (speaking and writing), evaluators listen to or read each candidate's response and assign the CLB level based on their professional judgment, applying the CLB descriptors.

Paliero does not automatically calculate CLB levels — this remains the responsibility of the trained evaluator, as required by professional CLB assessment practice.

Use cases

Who uses Paliero for CLB assessment

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IRCC-funded LINC programs

Run intake assessments for newcomers entering Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada programs. Generate CLB-aligned reports for each learner. Export cohort data for IRCC reporting requirements.

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Settlement organizations

Assess the CLB level of newcomers at intake to direct them to appropriate language training. Maintain a structured, auditable assessment workflow that meets federal funding requirements.

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Community college ESL placement

Place adult ESL students into the appropriate course level based on a structured four-skill assessment. Replace paper-based or generic-form-based intake with a PIPEDA-compliant platform.

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Workplace language training

Assess the CLB level of employees or contractors for workplace language requirements. Create role-specific assessments combining general language proficiency with workplace terminology.

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Internationally trained professionals

Support language assessment for internationally trained professionals seeking Canadian licensing. Generate CLB-aligned reports compatible with provincial regulatory body requirements.

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Program-level reporting

Generate cohort-level CLB reports for program evaluation, accreditation reviews, and funder reporting. Excel exports compatible with internal reporting workflows.

IRCC compliance

Paliero supports IRCC reporting requirements

Organizations delivering IRCC-funded language programs must report learner outcomes using the CLB framework. Paliero supports this reporting in several ways:

  • CLB-aligned reports: Each candidate report shows the CLB level assigned per skill, using the standard CLB terminology
  • Cohort exports: Excel exports for cohort-level reporting to IRCC
  • Audit trail: Complete record of who assessed what, when, and at which level — supporting compliance audits
  • Data residency: All learner data is stored in Canada, meeting IRCC privacy and data residency requirements
FAQ

CLB assessment questions

Is Paliero an official CLB assessment tool recognized by the CCLB?
Paliero is a platform that allows trained evaluators to create and grade assessments using the CLB framework. It is not a CCLB-certified assessment instrument. Organizations requiring certified CLB assessment for specific contexts (such as immigration applications) should consult the CCLB for the list of recognized certified assessments.
Can Paliero be used alongside CCLB-certified assessments?
Yes. Many organizations use Paliero for internal placement, progress tracking, and program-level assessment, while using CCLB-certified assessments (such as CLBPT or CLB-OSA) for specific high-stakes contexts. Paliero is designed to complement these workflows, not replace them.
Does Paliero support all 12 CLB levels?
Yes. Paliero supports the full CLB scale from CLB 1 to CLB 12, across all four skills.
Can the same organization use both CLB and NCLC?
Yes. Many organizations serving both anglophone and francophone newcomers need to use CLB for English assessment and NCLC for French assessment. Paliero supports both frameworks within the same organization.

Run CLB assessments your evaluators can stand behind

Get a structured, PIPEDA-compliant CLB assessment platform built for Canadian ESL programs and IRCC-funded organizations.

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