CELPIP Speaking Practice — Reach CLB 9 for Your Canadian PR

Hey, I know moving to a new city can feel really lonely at first, so here are a few things that worked for me. First, I'd suggest joining a local community centre. Most cities in Canada have them, and they run all kinds of affordable programs — fitness classes, cooking workshops, even language exchanges. You'll see the same faces every week, which makes it much easier to start a conversation. Second, try volunteering. Food banks and community festivals are always looking for help, and working side by side with people is one of the most natural ways to build friendships. Finally, don't underestimate your neighbours and co-workers. Invite someone for a coffee after work or say yes when people ask you to join them. Canadians are generally friendly, but they can be a little reserved, so sometimes you have to make the first move. Give it a few months — you'll be surprised how quickly your circle grows.

A couple of years ago, I started a new job and found out on my first day that I had to run the team's weekly meeting — in English — by the end of the week. I'd never chaired a meeting before, so I was honestly terrified. I spent every evening that week watching recordings of previous meetings and writing down the phrases my manager used, like "Let's circle back to that" and "Does anyone have anything to add?" I practised them out loud until they felt natural. When Friday came, I was still nervous, but the meeting went smoothly. My manager even told me afterwards that I'd done a great job. Looking back, it taught me that I learn fastest when I'm under a bit of pressure.

This picture shows a busy outdoor farmers' market on what looks like a sunny weekend morning. In the centre, there's a long row of stalls with white tents. The stall in front is selling fresh fruit and vegetables — I can see baskets of apples, bright red tomatoes, and bunches of carrots. A woman in a green apron is handing a paper bag to a customer. On the left, a young couple is pushing a stroller and looking at a table full of jars, probably honey or homemade jam. On the right side, an older man is playing the guitar, and a few children are standing in front of him, clapping along. In the background, there are tall trees and a parking lot full of cars. Overall, the atmosphere seems relaxed and cheerful.

I think a few things are likely to happen in the next few minutes. First, the customer who just received the paper bag will probably pay and then move on to the next stall — maybe she'll stop by the bakery to pick up some bread. The young couple with the stroller will most likely end up buying a jar of honey. They look very interested, and the vendor is already offering them a free sample. As for the children watching the guitar player, I'd guess one of their parents will give them a few coins to drop into his guitar case. And since it's still morning, I expect the market will get even busier, so the parking lot will probably be completely full within the hour.

I know the house in the suburbs has more space and a big backyard, but I really think the downtown condo makes more sense for us right now. First, think about the commute. From the condo, we could both walk or take the subway to work in under twenty minutes. In the suburbs, we'd be driving almost an hour each way, and with gas prices and winter traffic, that adds up quickly — in both money and stress. Second, the condo needs far less maintenance. No shovelling snow, no mowing the lawn, no fixing the roof. That gives us more time on weekends to actually enjoy ourselves. And finally, everything we love is downtown — restaurants, the library, our friends. I'd honestly rather have a smaller place and a bigger life around us.

Hi Daniel, thanks for thinking of me — I really appreciate that you trust me with your shift. Unfortunately, I can't take it this Saturday. A few weeks ago I promised my sister I'd help her move into her new apartment, and she's already booked the truck around my schedule, so I'd hate to let her down. That said, I don't want to leave you stuck. I asked Priya earlier, and she mentioned she's looking for extra hours this month, so she might be able to cover it. And if that doesn't work out, I'd be happy to take one of your shifts next weekend instead. Let me know what you think. I really hope we can sort something out.

I strongly agree that employers should allow staff to work from home at least part of the week, and I have three main reasons. First, it improves productivity. Without a long commute or constant interruptions, many people can focus on deep work for hours. In my own experience, I get more done on my home days than on my office days. Second, it's better for well-being. Commuting in a Canadian winter can easily take an hour each way. Giving that time back to employees means they can exercise, cook proper meals, or spend time with their families — and happier staff are less likely to quit. Third, it saves money on both sides. Employees spend less on gas and transit, and companies can rent smaller offices. Of course, I understand that teamwork and mentoring are easier in person. That's why I think a hybrid model — say, two or three days in the office — is the best balance. But a flexible option should definitely be available.

Hey, it's me! I'm at a little gift shop downtown, and I've found the strangest lamp — I think you'd love it. It's shaped exactly like a giant teacup, about the size of a basketball. The cup is white with small blue flowers painted around the edge, and it sits on a matching saucer that works as the base. Instead of tea, there's a round light bulb sitting inside the cup, and when you turn it on, the light glows through the porcelain, so the whole cup looks warm and yellow. The handle is on the right side, and it's actually the switch — you just tap it to turn the lamp on or off. It would look perfect on your bookshelf. Should I get it?