The CELPIP Success Podcast

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 working with a business coach, and the very first session was eye-opening. I had been feeling stuck — like I was driving in first gear and didn't know how to shift up. Getting an outside perspective showed me things I was too close to see, like the fact that I had removed my podcast introduction and my show had become generic. I put it back, and I'm already working on making it better.
I'm also switching to weekly episodes for the next six months to get my reps in and rebuild my comfort and confidence behind the microphone.
Then I sit down with my business coach for an interview about what I do and how I help people prepare for the CELPIP exam.
Let's work together to get ready for your CELPIP exam.
What You'll Learn From the Interview
What CELPIP is and why it matters. It's a language proficiency exam used in the Canadian immigration process. The higher you score, the stronger your application for permanent residency or citizenship. Even native English speakers from the US have had to take it.
How CELPIP differs from IELTS. You don't talk to a human examiner — you record your speaking responses into a computer, which makes it less intimidating, especially if you're an introvert. It's also 100% focused on Canadian English, so if you've been living in Canada, your ear is already tuned to the accents you'll hear on the test.
The biggest misconception about the exam. You can't just study harder and expect your score to go up. The CELPIP measures your actual level of English. If you're stuck at a seven, the exam is telling you that you have an intermediate level. To score higher, you need to build your general English skills — and that might take a year of focused work. Stop throwing $300 at retakes and start investing in your language foundation.

Strategy matters as much as language. The exam is you versus the clock. Every task is timed. You need to learn what to do and what not to do so you don't run out of time before you finish.
Why voice chats work for practice. In a group class, you spend most of your time listening and waiting — not speaking. With voice chats, there's no hiding. You record short, timed responses on your phone whenever you have time — even at 2 AM on a night shift break. You can listen back, spot your mistakes (like switching from past to present tense mid-response), and get precise, focused feedback. Nobody has time to re-listen to a full hour-long Zoom class, but you can review a one-minute clip easily.

Confidence is half the battle. A lot of introverts carry a negative narrative about their English. That self-doubt drags you down on exam day. When you practice in a low-pressure way and start to see improvement, that attitude shifts — and your score follows.

Real student results. One student went from an 8 to an 11 and a 12 across his exam after two to three months of daily practice — despite a speech impediment. Another went from a 5 to an 8 once she learned the right strategies for reading and writing. In both cases, the language ability was already there. They just needed to learn how to show it under pressure.

Takeaways for You
1.Check your current level of English before you retake the exam. If you're stuck at a seven, ask yourself honestly: is my English at an upper-intermediate level? If not, no amount of CELPIP studying will bump your score. Build your language skills first.

2. Be ready to receive constructive feedback. When someone points out what you're doing wrong, it can sting — especially if you've been at it for a while. But that outside perspective is exactly what helps you break through.

3. Do things differently if you want different results. If you keep doing the same thing, you'll keep getting the same score. If you've been working alone, using ChatGPT, and hoping for a better outcome — it's time to ask for help.

4. Get your reps in. Use your English as frequently as you can. Record yourself speaking for set amounts of time. Practice finishing within the last 10 seconds of your time limit. Put yourself in high-pressure situations at home so the real thing doesn't throw you off.

5. Don't avoid your weak spots. We all tend to skip the things we're not good at. Face them directly — that's where the biggest improvements happen.

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Want to Work Together?
I have over 17 years of experience teaching English and I'm a certified CELPIP trainer. I can help you build your confidence, figure out what you're already doing well, and pinpoint where you're getting stuck. Click here to get started.
Mentioned in this episode:
Stop making these top 5 CELPIP Speaking task mistakes
Learn how to spot and avoid the top 5 most common CELPIP speaking task mistakes - this free course will show you how!
Top 5

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 talk about this a little: if your scores aren’t matching your goals, it might not be about studying harder; it could be that your current English level isn’t strong enough yet to hit those higher scores.
Takeaways:
Understand that consistently low scores on the CELPIP may indicate your English level is not where it needs to be to get the score you want.
If you find yourself stuck scoring the same low results, assess your general English skills before retaking the exam.
Focus on practicing your weakest areas instead of avoiding them; this can significantly change your scores.
Realize that moving from a 7 to a 9 on the CELPIP requires more than just studying harder; it needs dedicated practice sometimes over a year or more.

Get your totally free 5 part mini audio course:
The Top 5 Mistakes Test Takers Make on the Speaking Section of the CELPIP (And what you can do to avoid them!)
(https://celpipsuccess.com/mistakes/)
Mentioned in this episode:
Stop making these top 5 CELPIP Speaking task mistakes
Learn how to spot and avoid the top 5 most common CELPIP speaking task mistakes - this free course will show you how!
Top 5

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, they shouldn't be your ultimate strategy; you need to have a long-term goal in sight.
From assessing your qualifications to improving your language skills, each step should be aimed at building eligibility for permanent residency. Remember, it’s all about being proactive and informed—don't just rely on the next temporary fix, but strategically position yourself for success in the Canadian immigration landscape.
Takeaways:
Recognize that applying for temporary fixes can complicate your path to permanent residency, so always plan ahead.
It's crucial to shift your mindset from mere survival to building a long-term strategy for your immigration goals.
Seek professional advice to understand your options, as immigration laws can be complex and subject to change.
Make sure to maintain compliance with immigration regulations, as this protects your future opportunities.
When transitioning back to your home country, reflect on your growth and leverage your international experience for future opportunities.
Keep your professional connections alive, as networking can significantly aid in your return to Canada or other opportunities.

Links referenced in this episode:
Visit Ana's LinkedIn profile - a great place to get to know how she works and what she can do for you.
Ana's website: Merhouse Immigration
Build your skills for the CELPIP in the most introvert friendly spot on the planet - join the CELPIP Success School and let's work together on your CELPIP goals.
Mentioned in this episode:
Stop making these top 5 CELPIP Speaking task mistakes
Learn how to spot and avoid the top 5 most common CELPIP speaking task mistakes - this free course will show you how!
Top 5

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 importance of staying mentally engaged in discussions and the importance of putting yourself in situations where you can practice your speaking skills, as awful as that can sometimes feel!
Plus, we’ll explore techniques like pre-thinking your responses to common questions, which can help you build confidence and fluency in your second language before you have them.
So, let’s get into it and find out how you can transform those awkward pauses into smooth conversations!
Takeaways:
If you've ever felt like your brain stalls during a conversation in English, know you're not alone; it's a common struggle.
Building fluency in a second language takes time, so be patient and keep practicing consistently to improve your speaking skills.
Don't let your fears of making mistakes hold you back; actively engage in conversations to enhance your response time and confidence.
Pre-thinking about common conversational topics can significantly help you prepare and respond more quickly during actual conversations.
Listening actively to how others express ideas can provide you with useful phrases to incorporate into your own speech, this will build your fluency.
Remember that avoiding speaking opportunities will only slow down your progress, so dive into conversations whenever you can.

Links referenced in this episode:
allthingslinguistic.com - Pre-thinking. Think about conversations you know are going to come your way before they do.
Join the CELPIP Success school - the most introvert friendly spot on the internet to get ready for your CELPIP exam.

Mentioned in this episode:
Stop making these top 5 CELPIP Speaking task mistakes
Learn how to spot and avoid the top 5 most common CELPIP speaking task mistakes - this free course will show you how!
Top 5

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 describing what you see.
This means actively thinking about the details around you and using precise vocabulary to describe what you see.
If you stumble upon words or phrases you can’t quite recall, don’t sweat it—take mental notes and look them up later to strengthen your vocabulary for those unexpected moments on test day.
Takeaways:
-- When preparing for speaking tasks, especially task 3, focus on building precise vocabulary.
-- Practice describing your surroundings in everyday scenarios to improve your vocabulary skills.
-- Take mental notes of unfamiliar words (words you might only know in your first language, for example) and look them up in English later to improve your vocabulary.
Let's work together to get your speaking skills ready for the CELPIP.
Join the CELPIP Success School - the most introvert friendly spot on the internet to get ready for your CELPIP exam.
Mentioned in this episode:
Stop making these top 5 CELPIP Speaking task mistakes
Learn how to spot and avoid the top 5 most common CELPIP speaking task mistakes - this free course will show you how!
Top 5