The CELPIP Success Podcast

Is the CELPIP Corrupt? Are your CELPIP scores all over the place — high one attempt, lower the next? You're not alone. In this video, I dig into a Reddit post where frustrated test-takers are accusing the CELPIP exam of being a "money grab." I get it — but is that mindset actually helping you? Let's reframe what's really going on and take back control of your prep. ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — The frustrat...

This week, we're tackling one of the most common questions I see over on CELPIP Reddit communities: should you use templates for your writing and speaking tasks? The promise is tempting — memorize a structure, plug in your answer, and score higher with minimal effort. But the reality is far riskier. I share a real Reddit post from a test-taker who scored 12s in listening and reading, an 11 in spea...

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...

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) —...

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...

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 with...

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...

How To Practice With a Timer on the CELPIP Exam Question from TV on Reddit: "Please suggest some ways to practice with the timer. I didn't complete most of the tasks and got a seven in speaking." Key Takeaways Stop seeing the CELPIP as separate from your daily life. The biggest mindset shift is treating exam prep as an integral part of your day-to-day routine, not something that is outside and dis...

Focus on your progress, not just your mistakes with your CELPIP prep. This episode dives into the importance of purposefully taking the time to recognize your achievements as you prepare for the CELPIP exam. (Because it's super easy to fixate on what went wrong!) I share my experiences over the past week with this podcast, where I made plenty of mistakes, but I also scored a few important wins. Yo...

Episode Summary: Welcome to a closer look at how to respond to CELPIP Speaking Tasks 7 and 8. Today I'll be covering strategies, tips, and practice prompts to help you feel confident and prepared for this section of the exam. In This Episode Speaking Task 7 — Giving Your Opinion (starts ~1:20) Why you're already an expert at this task — you've expressed opinions before A "Do you think…?" style que...

This episode breaks down CELPIP Speaking Tasks 5 and 6. Task 5 covers comparing and persuading — picking an option, defending it against a new option, and recording your response. Task 6 focuses on dealing with a difficult situation — being firm, kind, and clear. Links mentioned this episode: Free 5-Part Mini Audio Course — Avoid the top 5 most common CELPIP Speaking Test mistakes. 30-Day CELPIP S...

Today, we’re tackling speaking task three of the CELPIP exam, which is all about describing an image. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the details in a picture, I've got some solid strategies to help you focus and shine in your response. I’ll be guiding you through the essential steps, like how to brainstorm effectively in those crucial 30 seconds before you start speaking. We’ll talk about pick...

Welcome to a special edition of the CELPIP Success Podcast. Today I'm diving into the importance of recognizing and fixing mistakes in the speaking section of the CELPIP - AND why you just might need someone to help you find them! I kick things off by sharing a couple of my own quirky mishaps from just today that involved some Krazy Glue and a broken shoe, as well as some broken website links that...

Feeling stuck at a score of 8 on the CELPIP exam can be frustrating, especially as you gear up for your next attempt. It’s vital to understand that using templates isn’t the golden ticket you might think it is. In fact, templates can often backfire and pull your score down instead of boosting it. Instead of relying on memorized responses, I share practical strategies that can help you engage more...

What I Cover in This Episode I took a month off and went to Mexico City to visit family after 10 years away. Coming back to recording felt surprisingly hard — I made mistakes, got frustrated, and questioned whether I should even publish. That experience got me thinking about what happens when you step away from something and lose your rhythm, and what it takes to get it back. I also started workin...

Have you been stuck at 7 after multiple attempts at the CELPIP exam? You're not alone. Many test takers find themselves in the same boat, struggling to boost their scores in listening, reading, speaking, or writing—even after several tries. It's frustrating to see inconsistent results, and it’s tempting to blame yourself or compare your journey to others who seem to be breezing through. But let’s...

Navigating the maze of immigration can feel like you're stuck on a never-ending treadmill, especially when you find yourself applying for the 11th time without a clear path forward. The key takeaway from this podcast episode is to shift your mindset from merely surviving to actively planning for your future in Canada. It’s crucial to understand that while temporary permits can give you a breather,...

Feeling stuck in conversations when using English? You’re definitely not alone! Many people experience that frustrating moment when your brain hits pause just when it's your turn to speak. This episode dives into that common struggle, unpacking the reasons behind feeling muted in a second language and sharing practical strategies to overcome it. I’ll walk you through some real-life tips, like the...

Mastering vocabulary for CELPIP speaking task 3 or 4 can be tough especially because you have no way to know BEFORE your exam what you will need to talk about. So how do you prepare? You can prepare yourself by digging into your everyday situations! Just by paying attention to your surroundings, whether you're at a grocery store, a coffee shop, or even filling up your gas tank, you can practice de...

Life has a sneaky and sometimes in your face way of derailing your focus! Recognizing that this is true and that it happens is vital! Today, I take a look at how these distractions, whether gradual or abrupt, can throw you off course, especially when prepping for something important like the CELPIP exam, and more importantly, what to do about it when you do realize you're not on track anymore. I s...

Feeling like a failure is something we all grapple with at times, especially when it comes to learning English or preparing for the CELPIP exam. In this episode, I dive into that heavy feeling of defeat and how it can trick us into thinking we’re not making any progress. I want to remind you that real failure isn’t about stumbling over words or not hitting that elusive score; it’s about stopping a...

Staying focused is a real struggle for many of us, especially when tackling CELPIP speaking tasks three and four. In this episode, we dive into practical strategies to help you keep your mind on track while describing images and making logical predictions about them. I will talk about Using a notebook to jot down stray thoughts that pop into your head, so they don’t distract you during your practi...

Increasing the frequency of your English practice is the key to improving your language skills. Instead of getting caught up in lengthy sessions, I encourage you to focus on using your English in small, daily interactions. This episode dives into how you can leverage your personality, especially if you're an introvert, to make those interactions more comfortable and effective. I'll share personal...

Scripture passage for today: Proverbs 4:20-23 - "My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Navigating the journey of immigration can be an uphill battle, filled with cha...

The use of AI is happening and spreading all around us, and language learning is not immune to its influence. Maybe you're even using to help you as you work towards your CELPIP and English learning goals. But AI raises some serious questions for me that I want to wrestle with, and share with you. The first: can (should) AI take the place of teachers and actually interacting with other people as y...