Institutional CELBAN
The Institutional CELBAN was designed by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB) in 2007 as a practice kit for the paper based exam. In 2015, a second edition was launched which reflected CELBAN at that time.
As of January 2021, CELBAN is an online exam. The format of the Institutional CELBAN is now irrelevant. However, the content of the materials continue to reflect the official CELBAN. The online CELBAN is based on the unchanged test specifications and blueprint, and as such, the online exam retains the test task and item format of previous exams. This includes multiple choice reading and listening tasks as well as the chart based listening and writing tasks. Test instructions remain similar, for example, the fact that examinees will have time before and after a listening passage to review the items, and each section of the exam – Listening, Reading and Writing – are time limited.
The CCLB and Touchstone Institute have decided that no new editions of the Institutional CELBAN will be created. We encourage preparation programs to continue to make use of the Institutional CELBAN materials for their intended purpose (in keeping with the original agreement) but ensure that examinees are clear that the official CELBAN is now delivered online. Our Curriculum Guidelines may be helpful to you, as well as the free, online CELBAN Demo Exam.
Uses of Institutional CELBAN
Institutional CELBAN, though discontinued, can be used to teach about the content included in the official CELBAN. The Second Edition of the Institutional CELBAN (2015) contains excellent videos and sample activities that can be leveraged as informal testing materials. Institutional CELBAN scores are not accepted as proof of language proficiency by regulators, but the content can continue to be used for low-stakes purposes in non-regulatory settings. Organizations that own Institutional CELBAN kits may continue to use the materials as appropriate to their instructional and programming objectives. Each organization is encouraged to re-evaluate the materials in reference to their curricular and organizational needs given the changes to the exam.
Institutional CELBAN materials remain confidential, trademarked, and copyrighted. Permission for use is granted only to those institutions which have previously purchased the rights. Adaptations of the materials are only permitted with prior permission.
Institutional CELBAN Administrator Qualifications
Organizations that are administering Institutional CELBAN within their programs are encouraged to consider staff credentials and training appropriate to the program purpose. CELBAN is a high stakes, credentialing assessment tool. It is fundamentally a language proficiency assessment based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks. Additionally, it is a specific-purpose language assessment, with a focus on language skills for nursing practice. In order to get the best results from the Institutional CELBAN, it is highly recommend that educational institutes commit to ensuring that appropriate staff are selected to: facilitate the administration, interview, and rate results of the Institutional CELBAN. Staff with a working knowledge of the CLB, a Bachelor’s degree and a credential demonstrating specialist training in second language instruction, and knowledge of specific-purpose language instruction should be prioritized.