If you have taken an English-upgrading course at a BCIT post-secondary institution, you can check its equivalency with PELD courses by checking the BC Transfer Guide (bctransferguide.ca).
To find the best fit for you, we have several different ways for you to qualify for placement into our PELD program.
You must complete at least one of the placement test options (see list below) to be given course registration approval(s).
Please contact PELD@bcit.ca if you have any questions about placement test options.
Placement Test Options
This computer-based assessment is designed to help determine if an individual’s English language skills are at a level necessary to meet the entrance requirements of BCIT full-time programs or Communication courses. It is not an assessment designed for beginner/lower level students. Please do not register for this assessment if your English skills are below the upper-intermediate level. The assessment reflects an individual’s skill in reading comprehension, understanding of appropriate sentence structure, and clarity in written composition.
Students can also take this assessment for placement into our PELD reading and writing courses only. Your placement level will be dependent on your scores. No placement will be given if you do not pass the test and/or if the minimum requirements are not met. We do not recommend students to re-take the assessment if no placement was given the first time.
Please send a copy of your test scores to PELD@bcit.ca once you have it available. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
The Speaking and Listening assessment is designed to determine if an individual’s English speaking and listening skills are at a level necessary to meet the entrance requirements of BCIT full-time programs. It is not an assessment designed for beginner/lower level students. Please do not register for this assessment if your English skills are below the upper-intermediate level. The assessment is based on the individual’s ability to speak English and understand spoken English effectively.
Students can also take this assessment for placement into our PELD speaking and listening courses only. Your placement level will be dependent on your test scores, but you will need at least 50% or better on the test to receive any placement. No placement will be given if you do not pass the test and/or if the minimum requirements are not met. We do not recommend students to re-take the assessment if no placement was given the first time.
Please send a copy of your test scores to PELD@bcit.ca once you have it available. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Students who have taken a CLB test within the last 12 months can use their scores for placement into our courses assuming the minimum scores are met (see chart below). Please send a copy of your test scores to PELD@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Your placement level(s) is based on your lowest scores for each language skill. For example, if you have a 6 in reading, but a 5 in writing, we will use your score of 5 for placement. Our program will only accept test scores that are taken in-person at a testing center; online self-assessments (OSA) will not be accepted.
NOTE: Students who have completed a LINC program within the last 12 months can also use their CLB scores for placement into all of our courses, assuming the minimum scores are met. Your “recommended class placements” shown on your test results or report card will not be considered.
Please see chart below for reference.
| PELD Course | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 0071 | 5 | 5 | —- | —- |
| COMM 0003 | 6 | 6 | —- | —- |
| COMM 0004 | 7 | 7 | —- | —- |
| COMM 0005 | 8 | 8 | —- | —- |
| COMM 0029 | —- | —- | 5 | 5 |
| COMM 0030 | —- | —- | 7 | 7 |
Students who have taken a CELPIP General test within the last 12 months can use their scores for placement into our courses assuming the minimum scores are met (see chart below). Please send a copy of your test scores to PELD@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Your placement level(s) is based on your lowest scores for each language skill. For example, if you have a 6 in reading, but a 5 in writing, we will use your score of 5 for placement.
NOTE: the CELPIP General Test is not accepted by BCIT for admission into other full-time or part-time programs.
| PELD Course | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 0071 | 5 | 5 | —- | —- |
| COMM 0003 | 6 | 6 | —- | —- |
| COMM 0004 | 7 | 7 | —- | —- |
| COMM 0005 | 8 | 8 | —- | —- |
| COMM 0029 | —- | —- | 5 | 5 |
| COMM 0030 | —- | —- | 7 | 7 |
Students who have taken IELTS (academic format only) within the last two years can use their scores for placement into our courses assuming the minimum scores are met (see chart below). The general training format will not be accepted for placement. The IELTS Indicator (online)Test is also accepted if it was taken between January, 2020 and January 2022.
Your placement level(s) is based on your lowest scores for each language skill. For example, if you have a 6.0 in reading, but a 5.5 in writing, we will use your score of 5.5 for placement.
Please send a copy of your test scores to PELD@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
| PELD Course |
IELTS Reading and Writing | IELTS Speaking and Listening |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 0071 | 4.5 | – |
| COMM 0003 | 5.0 | – |
| COMM 0004 | 5.5 | – |
| COMM 0005 | 6.0 | – |
| COMM 0029 | – | 5.5 |
| COMM 0030 | – | 6.0 |
Students who have taken Duolingo (DET) from May 2022 onwards, can use their test scores for placement into our courses assuming the minimum scores are met (see chart below). We will not accept any Duolingo scores taken before May 2022.
Please send a copy of your test scores to PELD@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Your placement level(s) is based on your overall score and a minimum score on the Production section of the DET. If your production score is lower than the minimum scores required for each course, you may be offered placement in a lower level course instead.
| PELD Course |
Overall Duolingo Score | Production Score Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 0071 | 65 | 55 |
| COMM 0003 | 80 | 65 |
| COMM 0004 | 95 | 80 |
| COMM 0005 | 105 | 95 |
| COMM 0029 | 95 | 75 |
| COMM 0030 | 105 | 95 |
Students who have taken TOEFL (including TOEFL iBT) within the last two years can use their scores for placement into our courses assuming the minimum scores are met (see chart below).
Please send a copy of your test scores to PELD@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
| PELD Course |
Overall Score |
|---|---|
| COMM 0071 | 32 |
| COMM 0003 | 35 |
| COMM 0004 | 46 |
| COMM 0005 | 60 |
| COMM 0029 | 46 |
| COMM 0030 | 60 |
Students who have taken the CAEL test within the last 12 months can use their scores for placement into our courses assuming the minimum scores are met (see chart below).
Please send a copy of your test scores to PELD@bcit.ca to receive course registration approval. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
| PELD Course | CAEL Score |
|---|---|
| COMM 0071 | CAEL 30 |
| COMM 0003 | CAEL 35 |
| COMM 0004 | CAEL 40 |
| COMM 0005 | CAEL 50 |
| COMM 0029 | CAEL 40 |
| COMM 0030 | CAEL 50 |
Students who have taken the VCC Pathways program within the last 12 months can send their transcripts to PELD@bcit.ca for course placement. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance. Your placement level(s) will be based on the last Pathways course(s) you have successfully completed.
Please see chart below.
| PELD Course |
VCC Pathway – Reading & Writing | VCC Pathway – Speaking & Listening |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 0071 | – | – |
| COMM 0003 | ELSK 520 | – |
| COMM 0004 | ELSK 620 | – |
| COMM 0005 | ELSK 720 | – |
| COMM 0029 | – | ELSK 515 |
| COMM 0030 | – | ELSK 615 or 715 |
Students who have taken the Langara LEAP program within the last 12 months can send their transcripts to PELD@bcit.ca for course placement. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance. Your placement level(s) will be based on the last LEAP level(s) you have successfully completed.
Please see chart below.
| PELD Course |
Reading & Writing | VCC Pathway – Speaking & Listening |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 0071 | LEAP 4 | – |
| COMM 0003 | LEAP 5 | – |
| COMM 0004 | LEAP 6 | – |
| COMM 0005 | LEAP 7 & 8 or LEAP 8 | – |
| COMM 0029 | – | LEAP 6 |
| COMM 0030 | – | LEAP 7 & 8 or LEAP 8 |
Students who have completed some or all levels from the ISEP program at BCIT can transfer into our PELD program without taking any further assessments. Please send an email to PELD@bcit.ca along with your BCIT student number to request for approval.
Follow this guideline for ISEP courses taken before January 2021:
- ISEP Level 4 with 50% or better in each course (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), will place you into COMM 0003
- ISEP Level 4 with 60% or better in each course (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), will place you into COMM 0004 and COMM 0029
- ISEP Level 5 with 50% or better in each course (reading, writing, speaking and listening), will place you into COMM 0005 and COMM 0030
Follow this guideline for ISEP courses taken after January 2021:
- TAE 3 with 50% will place you into COMM 0003
- TAE 3 with 60% will place you into COMM 0004 and COMM 0029
- TAE 4 with 50% will place you into COMM 0005 and COMM 0030
If you have completed English 12 in Canada but do not have the right grades to register into a full- or part-time BCIT program, you will be given approval to register for the next available Level IV reading and writing (COMM 0005) and/or Level II speaking and listening (COMM 0030) courses. Both of these courses are equivalent to English 12.
Please send a copy of your high school transcript to PELD@bcit.ca to receive course registration approval. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Students who have completed a post-secondary degree or diploma in an English-speaking country, but do not have the grades to enter into a full- or part-time program can submit their transcripts to PELD@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
If you have attended another ESL program in BC, you can refer to the BC ESL Articulation Guide (pages 16-32) to see whether you can qualify for placement into our program.
Please send a copy of your transcript to PELD@bcit.ca if you qualify for our program. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one here or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.