Strategies to Improve Your French: How to Move from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7

Achieving a Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) / Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 7 in French can significantly improve your chances of getting Canadian permanent residence (PR) through the Express Entry system. Reaching this level in your second official language can add up to 62 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and make you eligible for French-language category-based draws.

This blog explains why French matters for immigration, how to move from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7, and what skills are expected at the NCLC 7 level.

Why French Helps You Qualify for Canadian PR

Getting an NCLC 7 across all four abilities—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—can greatly strengthen your Express Entry profile. It increases your CRS score and improves your eligibility for category-based selection draws focused on French speakers.

So far this year, Canada has held seven French-language draws with much lower CRS cut-off scores compared to other categories:

Under “Additional Factors,” you may claim up to 50 extra CRS points if you achieve NCLC 7 in French and CLB 5 in English. You can also earn up to 12 CRS points under “Core human capital” for second-language proficiency.

Many Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams also prioritize French-speaking applicants.

The federal immigration plan expects French-speaking admissions outside Quebec to increase from 8.5% in 2025 to 10.5% by 2028, making French proficiency even more valuable.

Tips and Strategies to Move from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7

1. Study French Every Day

Consistent daily study is one of the most effective ways to improve. Aim for one to two hours of focused practice each day. Divide your time evenly between reading, writing, listening, and speaking. If one area is weaker, dedicate more time to improving that skill.

Combine structured learning (grammar exercises, vocabulary practice) with practical use (conversations, short writing tasks).

2. Attend an Immersion Program

Many learners get stuck at the “intermediate plateau,” where communication is possible but not fluent. Immersion programs offer several weeks or months of continuous exposure to French, helping you start thinking and responding naturally in the language.

3. Work or Volunteer in a French Environment

Using French in a real workplace or volunteer setting forces you to adapt to different communication styles. Tasks such as explaining information, solving problems, participating in meetings, and coordinating with colleagues develop automatic and functional language skills.

4. Work with a Certified French Tutor

A certified French tutor can help you progress faster through targeted instruction. One-on-one sessions provide immediate feedback on grammar, pronunciation, and sentence structure. Tutors can also help you prepare specifically for language tests using mock exams and structured exercises.

5. Practice with TEF or TCF Test Materials

To move from NCLC 5 to 7, learners should practice directly with test-oriented materials from TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Sample exams help you understand question patterns, timing, and expectations. Practising under timed conditions improves speed, confidence, and accuracy.

6. Engage with French Media

Listening to French radio, watching French news, or reading francophone articles helps develop a natural understanding of sentence flow and vocabulary. Exposure to real-life content strengthens comprehension and teaches you how complex ideas are presented in French.

7. Use Reverse Translation

Translate a short French text into English, then translate it back into French without looking at the original. Comparing the two versions helps identify errors in vocabulary, structure, and expression. This technique strengthens your ability to think in French rather than translating word-for-word.

8. Consider an Au Pair Program

Living with a francophone family forces you to communicate constantly in French. Daily conversations, organizing schedules, and managing responsibilities create natural language exposure that accelerates progress.

What NCLC Level 7 Looks Like

NCLC 7 falls within the “Intermediate Language Ability” stage. At this level, learners can understand and communicate moderately complex ideas across different contexts.

Below is a breakdown of expected skills and the structure of TEF Canada and TCF Canada tests:

Reading Skills (NCLC 7)

Abilities:

• Understands main ideas, details, and implied meanings
• Follows factual, descriptive, and argumentative texts
• Recognizes a mix of concrete, abstract, and some specialized vocabulary
  
  

Test Format:

• TCF: 39 multiple-choice questions (1 hour)
• TEF: 40 multiple-choice questions (1 hour)
  
  

Writing Skills (NCLC 7)

Abilities:

• Writes clear, structured paragraphs
• Expresses and supports ideas
• Uses varied vocabulary
  
  

Test Format:

• TCF: 3 exercises (1 hour)
• TEF: 2 sections (1 hour)
  
  

Speaking Skills (NCLC 7)

Abilities:

• Communicates confidently in social, academic, and workplace contexts
• Discusses familiar topics with some abstract ideas
• Uses more varied vocabulary and natural expressions
  
  

Test Format:

• TCF: 3 exercises (12 minutes)
• TEF: 2 sections (15 minutes)
  
  

Listening Skills (NCLC 7)

Abilities:

• Follows moderately complex conversations
• Understands abstract themes
• Identifies tone, style, and implied meaning
  
  

Test Format:

• TCF: 39 questions (35 minutes)
• TEF: 40 questions (40 minutes)
  
  

How NCLC 7 Differs from NCLC 5 or 6

Someone at NCLC 5 or 6 will likely:

• Understand fewer complex phrases and structures
• Depend on visual cues or bilingual dictionaries
• Hesitate more during speech and make frequent grammatical errors
• Struggle with fast-paced conversations and rapid audio

Learners at NCLC 7 show more independence, confidence, and clarity across all abilities.