Show Notes
Struggling to nail that CELPIP score? It can feel like a tough grind, right? And if you're struggling with multiple attempts at getting the CELPIP score you need, but you just can't seem to nail it, well...that can be downright discouraging! But here’s the deal: if you keep doing the same thing, expecting different results, you're probably just going to wind up in the same stuck spot where you are now. It’s crucial to stop and evaluate your approach—what’s working, what’s not, and what changes you can make to your study system. Today, I’m sharing my 5 (almost 6) year journey of fighting chronic back pain, and the many failed treatment plans I've been trying to follow that seem to work at the start, and then end of as a fail. The lesson: don't keep doing what you're currently doing if the results you're getting aren't what you need to be getting! Need help checking on your CELPIP preparation process? Hit me up for a free 30 minute consult. We'll check out your current prep plan, and I'll do my best to help you make sure you're doing the right things, and that you're stopping doing the wrong things to get you the score you need. To take advantage of this offer, just go here. (Yes, it's totally free!) So before you dive back into that exam, let’s chat about how to revamp your strategy and set yourself up for success. Setbacks can be tough to navigate, especially when they involve something as crucial as the CELPIP exam. I recently heard about a Reddit user who faced the daunting challenge of taking the exam seven times without the success they were hoping for. Their perseverance is commendable, but it raises an important question: Are we effectively using our time and resources? If you find yourself preparing for an exam over and over again without improvement, it’s time to reassess your approach. What is your current system, and how is it working for you? In my own experience dealing with chronic back pain, I realized that sticking to the same treatment methods was not yielding any significant improvement. I had to switch from general physiotherapy to more specialized care focused on my specific issues. This change not only provided relief but also made me reconsider the importance of adapting my strategies based on the results I was seeing. For anyone preparing for the CELPIP exam, this could mean exploring different study methods, seeking specialized help, or immersing yourself in English to build your skills more naturally. Need help figuring out what might not be working right in your CELPIP prep system? Set up a free 30 minute chat with me, and I'll help you focus on the right things in your CELPIP prep. As you prepare to take the exam again, I encourage you to pause and critically analyze your preparation strategies. Are they truly effective, or are you simply repeating the same behaviors that led to previous outcomes? If you keep receiving the same scores, it might be an indication that it’s time for a change in your system. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance in evaluating your current methods. Together, we can identify what’s not working and find new ways to help you succeed. Takeaways: Persisting through multiple attempts, like our Reddit friend, showcases incredible grit and determination. Before retaking the CELPIP exam, take a moment to reassess your preparation strategies and approach. Changing your preparation system is crucial if you're not seeing improvements in your CELPIP scores. Surrounding yourself, and engaging with English speakers is essential for improving your language skills effectively. Consider seeking out specialized help for your specific challenges rather than general advice. Understand that your current CELPIP score reflects your present level of English, not your potential.
Links referenced in this episode: Cambridge dictionary meaning of system: A way of doing things. Get personalized help with your CELPIP prep. Book your no cost 30 minute consult right here.
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More from The CELPIP Success Podcast
I recorded this episode from a work retreat using only my cell phone — and things don't go smoothly. My phone falls off its makeshift stand (a board game) multiple times mid-recording, but I refuse to stop. I use this messy, unscripted experience as a living illustration of the episode's core message: stop relying on templates and start practicing your answers 'freestyle.' The episode centers on a question from listener Yash, who is stuck at CLB 8 on the CELPIP speaking section. Yash's dilemma: when he follows structured templates, he can start well but falls apart when it's time to go into detail. When he avoids templates, he rambles and can't finish on time. I'll talk about why this happens and offer some practical advice. Key Topics & Timestamps [0:00] – Recording on the road I'm at a three-day work retreat with only my phone. I made a promise to myself not to hit stop, no matter what — and my phone falls three (or four) times during recording. [5:36] – Listener question from Yash Yash shares his struggle: stuck at CLB 8, templates help him start but fail when it's time to elaborate, and going template-free means he can't finish on time. [6:30] – Why templates fall short Templates give you a "runway" — a smooth start — but once those scripted words run out, you're on your own to fill in the details. If you're not used to freestyling, (speaking without a template) you stall. [8:00] – My own struggle with freestyling This recording was my fourth attempt. I normally script everything word-for-word and read it. Going unscripted is genuinely hard for me — and that's the point. [11:00] – The #1 thing you should do Get into real, unscripted English conversations - it's great for your general English skills and the CELPIP exam! This is how you learn to think on your feet and express ideas without a template. [13:20] – Honest self-assessment Look back over your week: how many actual English conversations did you have? If you're repeatedly scoring CLB 8, it may simply reflect your current level — and that's not a failure. Or it may mean you need more daily, real-world English practice. [15:30] – A real-life template example I share a story from my work retreat about a "family of origin" discussion exercise. A template ("I grew up in a family of…") got the first 10 seconds — the remaining 15 minutes were entirely up to me to fill in. [19:30] – How to stop rambling: practice with a timer For the problem of finishing on time without a template: set a timer for your target duration (e.g., 1 minute), record yourself answering the same question repeatedly, and keep going until you can contain your answer within the time limit. [22:30] – Free CELPIP Clarity Call Join me for a free 30-minute one-on-one call to review your CELPIP prep strategy. No sales, no pressure — just a conversation about what's working and what might be holding you back. Book your free call right here: https://tidycal.com/m29kqn1/meeting
Episode Summary In this episode, we tackle a listener question from Julia about one of the biggest struggles CELPIP test takers face: grammar. Drawing from my own experience learning French through endless verb lists and conjugation drills, I explain why the traditional memorization approach to grammar fails to translate into real conversational fluency. I introduce just-in-time learning (JITL) — a targeted, problem-first approach where you pull the specific grammar rule you need, exactly when you need it, to solve a real communication challenge. I break down how different CELPIP speaking tasks call for specific tenses (past, present continuous, future) and I will walk through practical, everyday exercises you can use to build grammar skills without ever opening a grammar book to memorize. Key Topics & Timestamps Listener question from Julia on grammar struggles — 0:00 Why memorization-based grammar learning fails — 1:10 The "just-in-time learning" (JITL) approach — 4:02 Grammar for CELPIP Speaking Task 2 (past tense) — 5:12 Grammar for CELPIP Speaking Task 3 (present continuous) — 5:33 Grammar for CELPIP Speaking Task 4 (future tense) — 5:33 Practice tip #1: Talk about your day at mealtime — 7:19 Practice tip #2: Listen to a 2-minute CBC news segment and note past tense verbs — 9:00 Wrap-up: Stop memorizing, start using — 10:28 Free 30-minute CELPIP clarity call — 11:49
If you're an introvert who finds it hard to practice speaking for the CELPIP exam, this episode is for you! Here's a simple framework: the 1-1-1 rule — to help you get more speaking practice in a way that feels safe and manageable. Key Topics: Why introverts tend to avoid speaking practice (and how to break the cycle) Tip 1: Speak to one Person — Stop thinking you need to talk to crowds. Focus on just one person. Tip 2: Aim for one Conversation — You don't need massive group discussions. One conversation at a time is enough. Julia's story — How a CELPIP Success School member took the brave step of moving to sit next to coworkers to get more English practice. Tip 3: Don't forget one shield — holding a coffee mug (or cup of water, or a snack) at chest level can act as a psychological comfort buffer during conversations. What not to hold: electronic devices (phones, iPads) — they invite distraction and signal disinterest. Why human interaction is irreplaceable for speaking practice (AI and solo recording only get you partway).
This week I'm responding to another question from Reddit from someone who has been living in Canada for 10 years and is still stuck at a CLB 8 on their CELPIP exam — they need a CLB 10. In this episode, I break down why simply "studying harder" isn't the answer and share what's likely really holding them back. Key Topics: The "first-language bubble" problem — How living in a country for years without truly immersing yourself in the language creates an invisible barrier to building your language skills. I share my own experience of building an English bubble while living in Mexico City for 16 years. Audit your daily routines — How much of your day actually involves communicating in English? If the answer is "not much," that's the first and biggest reason why you're still stuck at CLB 8. Map out your practice process — Write down everything you're doing to prepare, along with the results you're getting for each. If the results aren't changing, something in the process needs to change. Focus on your weak areas — It's natural to spend time where you already feel strong, but real growth comes from leaning into the skills that scare you. What you avoid simply doesn't get any better, no matter how long you've lived in Canada. Get outside perspective — Sometimes you need someone outside your situation to spot what you can't see. I share how working with a business coach helped me identify blind spots in my own work — and how the same principle applies to your CELPIP prep. I can be that person to offer you a friendly but honest look at your CELPIP preparation process so you can see what you're doing well (to keep doing that!) and what isn't working for you, and what specifically you can do to start getting better results.
Episode Summary: In this episode, I dive into a heartbreaking Reddit post from a CELPIP test-taker who has attempted the exam 10 times and remains stuck at a score of 8 — just one point shy of the CLB 9 they need for Express Entry. With a work permit expiring in a month, the stakes couldn't be higher. I break down what might be going wrong and share practical strategies to help break through that plateau. Key Topics & Timestamps: The Reddit post: 10 CELPIP attempts and still stuck at 8 — 1:00 Empathy for the frustration of being one point away — 2:10 Strategy 1: Focus your practice — review past attempts and target weak tasks — 3:09 Strategy 2: Stop relying only on official CELPIP materials — use the English around you every day — 5:19 Why templates aren't the answer — embrace natural speaking — 7:34 The long-term play: merge daily life with CELPIP practice — 9:07 Overcoming the fear of engaging in conversations (even as an introvert) — 10:00 The importance of getting expert feedback — 11:33 Free resource: 5-part mini audio course on top CELPIP speaking mistakes — 12:10