Understanding the CELPIP Speaking Section

The CELPIP Speaking section is for 15-20 minutes, which is totally computer-based section. In this section responses are recorded for evaluation. This section has 8 tasks, which are designed to evaluate different areas of spoken English, like pronunciation, vocabulary, coherence and fluency. 

The tasks also reflect on Canadian contexts, which ensures that candidates can handle community scenarios, social interactions or workplace discussions in proper manner or not. Scoring of this part is done on the basis of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), which ranges from 1 to 12, (1 is for basic and 12 is for advanced) with pathways for Canada Immigration and Citizenship which requires  least CLB 4 in CELPIP Speaking Section.

There are some updates that came in light regarding this section that in 2025 some prompts have been incorporated which make this section more diverse with contemporary topics, such as environmental issues, digital communication or reflecting evolving social landscape of Canada. 

Structure of the CELPIP Speaking Section

The CELPIP Speaking Section has total eight tasks. In each task, a candidate has 30-60 seconds to think and next 60-90 seconds to speak answer. Below are the total Eight Tasks which the Celpip Speaking Task includes:

1. Giving Advice: In this task, candidate has to offer solutions to a problem. Time Period for this task: 90 seconds.
2. Talking about a Personal Experience: In this task, need to Share a relevant story. Time Period for this Task is: 60 seconds.
3. Describing a Scene: A picture will be shown in this task and need to speak in detail on the given picture. Time Period for this Task is: 60 seconds.
4. Making Predictions: Some outcome situations like forecast, or industry future will be given in this section, in which a candidate need to speak while predicting future. Time Period for this Task is: 60 seconds.
5. Comparing and Persuading: In this task 2 options will be given, to which a candidate has to analyze and compare then speak answer for the comparison. Time Period for this Task is: 60 seconds.
6. Dealing with a Difficult Situation: A challenging scenario will be given in this task and the candidate has to address the same in 60 seconds.
7. Expressing Opinions: A candidate need to share his views to some given situation and has to justify the same in 90 seconds.
8. Describing an Unusual Situation: A candidate need to explain an uncommon situation in this task. Time Period for this Task is: 60 seconds.

Every task evaluates specific skills, from the beginning like from thinking of advice logically and explaining answer in detail using accurate grammar and vocabulary.

Latest 2025 Updates to CELPIP Speaking Task

As of August 13, 2025:

• Contemporary Prompts: This task will have feature topics now like sustainable living, remote work policies or current Canadian issues.
• Enhanced Scoring Feedback: Digital score reports now detail performance in fluency, vocabulary range, and cultural nuance, helping candidates pinpoint weaknesses.
• Remote Testing: The April 2025 expansion of remote proctoring ensures stable audio and video, with AI-assisted monitoring to prevent cheating.
• Anti-Template Measures: Raters penalize rote responses more heavily, emphasizing authentic delivery. My clients have seen score boosts of 1-2 CLB levels by focusing on natural speech.

These changes make practice with updated materials critical. Platforms like oetpro, offering AI-driven feedback for other tests, inspire similar CELPIP tools with mock tests mirroring the new prompts.

Strategies for Each Speaking Task with Examples

Below are the sample responses for each task, this information will definitely be helpful in attempting the speaking section:

Task 1: Giving Advice (90 seconds)

Strategy: Identify the issue in the given task, give 2-3 specific suggestions, and explain benefits of those given suggestions using phrases like “This helps because” or “I suggest”. 

Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience (60 seconds)

Strategy: Need to choose a relevant story, detail the emotions, and reflect your views on the story. 

Example Prompt: “Explain when you helped someone in the last 2 months.” 

Task 3: Describing a Scene (60 seconds)

Strategy: Speak Note key elements like actions, people and use descriptive adjectives. 

Example Prompt: “You are sitting in a part and describe the scene of park.” 

Task 4: Making Predictions (60 seconds)

Strategy: Select and Identify key factors in the given question, make 2 to 3 predictions, and explain with “because”.

Example Prompt: “What will happen if a country bans giving visas?” 

Task 5: Comparing and Persuading (60 seconds)

Strategy: Compare differences/similarities and use comparatives (“more effective”, “better” ) 

Example Prompt: “Compare online and offline classes and which one would you like to opt for and why.” 

Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation (60 seconds)

Strategy: In this task, explain the issue first, then move to describing your actions, and at the last reflect on your outcomes. 

Example Prompt: “Your coworker didn’t complete work on time.” 

Task 7: Expressing Opinions (90 seconds)

Strategy: Share your views, give 2-3 reasons, discuss counterarguments, and then conclude. 

Example Prompt: “Should cities invest in building Malls?” 

Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation (60 seconds)

Strategy: Highlight the unusual situation that you feel about, explain reason, and then note lessons. 

Example Prompt: “Describe when you saw something unusual” 

General Tips for CELPIP Speaking Success

Drawing from my coaching, here are proven strategies:

1. Regular Practice: Speak English daily—join conversation clubs or use apps. Record responses on oetpro-like platforms for feedback.
2. Authentic Experiences: Use real stories, like a client who shared a volunteering experience, boosting authenticity and scoring CLB 6.
3. Natural Tone: While speaking answer, your tone should be natural. Avoid sound conversational or robotic delivery.
4. Plan your Response: Start your response with a brief intro, explain main points, and then conclude.
5. Manage your time wisely: Stray stick to the given time limit i.e 60 seconds for most of the tasks.
6. Pronunciation and Clarity: Speak softly and slowly, use pause for emphasis.
7. Don’t repeat Vocabulary: It is best to use synonyms (e.g., “good” vs “beneficial”).
8. Mock Tests: Use updated samples to practice with new prompts.
9. Self-Evaluation: Record your answer and analyze the same to check your fluency and errors.
10. Stay Calm: Staying calm is the key to success, so use deep breathing exercise to manage your anxiety, ensure clear delivery of your answer.

Common Mistake to Avoid

• Memorized Responses: Don’t try to memorize responses as it will give more stress, this may give bad result. Just practice with spontaneous speech.
• Rushing: Slow down for clarity, as rushing dropped one client’s score from 5 to 4.
• Weak Vocabulary: Build through daily reading; a client added 50 words weekly, reaching CLB 7.
• Ignoring Feedback: Don’t ignore feedback, just improve the errors which you did last and score more next time.