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Hi, it’s Dozie,
Welcome to today’s From the Editor.
Before we get into today’s newsletter, I’ve got an announcement.
If you or someone you know is looking to learn and pass French as part of your Canadian immigration strategy, The Newcomers has partnered with Nishant Anand, a TEF and DELF examiner, to cover French as a subject. He’ll be sharing answers to the recurring questions he gets from candidates he teaches, along with tips to help you prep for your French exams.
Please also send in your questions.
In today’s newsletter: In the first of her Unwritten Canadian Rules series for The Newcomers, Manisha Nayyar explains why you should never see small talk as a waste of time, plus how she approaches it.
Also in the news: Carney says Canada will keep immigration restrained; IRCC expands financial checks for study permit applicants to six months; RBC Foundation supports TRIEC’s new digital platform.
Plus in today’s French in Canada: Nishant Anand answers what French exams are valid for Canadian immigration.
See past issues here.
Why is small talk such an important part of Canadian culture
Canadians begin by placing trust in someone. In most other cultures, the procedure is the reverse—you have to earn someone's trust gradually.
Here, people take it for granted that you are trustworthy unless proven otherwise. The reason for this initial trust is a sense of comfort. Is it easy for me to be around this person? Will the encounter go off without a hitch? That question is answered through casual conversation.
It's important for people who are new to Canada to realize that when someone talks about the weather, they are not avoiding a real conversation; rather, they are checking whether it is safe to start one. The tone, the ease shown, and the absence of pressure in these little moments reveal a lot about yourself.
People often ask me, "But what are we to talk about?" Well, here’s how I approach it…
When you're at an event where food is being served, talk about the food. For example, you could say, "These spring rolls are amazing." It's simple, safe, and encourages a reply. The other party might reply that they consider them their favourite, or that they haven't tried them before. This tête-à-tête allows both of you to start a conversation.
Read the remaining three tips plus the whole piece here ⬇️
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From our newsroom
Carney says Canada will keep immigration restrained. Ottawa plans to maintain lower immigration levels as new student and worker arrivals fall, while upcoming talks with premiers could shape what follows after 2028. — Full article here
IRCC expands financial checks for study permit applicants to six months. Applicants may face more detailed questions about the source of their funds and whether financial support will continue throughout their studies. The required proof-of-funds amounts have not changed. — Full article here
RBC Foundation supports TRIEC’s new digital platform. The leading bank’s non-profit arm is providing seed funding to TRIEC (Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council) for a two-year project to build a digital platform for skilled newcomers. — Full article here
French in Canada by Nishant Anand
Q: What French exams are valid for Canadian immigration?
A: Canadian immigration is divided into two segments: Federal (Express Entry) and Provincial (for each region, except for Quebec). It’s interesting to know that the federal and provincial divisions accept the Test d’évaluation Français ( TEF) and the Test de connaissance du français (TCF). These two exams require you to evaluate: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, which is similar to IELTS. Although the score or CLB level requirements may differ depending on the program, the accepted exams are only for French language evaluation. The exams accepted for federal immigration are TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Please note that it is obligatory to achieve all four competencies in both of these exams to be eligible for Express Entry with CLB 7 in each.
Furthermore, the province of Quebec accepts the Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) and the Diplôme approfondi en langue française (DALF), and other subtypes of the TEF and TCF are offered in Quebec as TEF Québec and TCF Québec. The candidate can provide each competency separately, and you are not required to achieve CLB 7 in all competencies, as this depends on the targeted immigration program in Quebec.
Want more? Start your French journey with Nishant.
Newsletter writer: Dozie Anyaegbunam
Want to work with us? Check out The Newcomers Media Kit.
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