CELPIP Speaking Format & Structure

15-20 minutes total — 8 tasks with increasing difficulty

8

Total Tasks

Progressive difficulty

30-90

Seconds Prep

Varies by task

45-90

Seconds Speak

Response time per task

AI

Scoring

Advanced voice recognition

📌
Tasks 1-2: Giving advice & sharing personal experiences. Tasks 3-4: Describing a scene & making predictions. Tasks 5-6: Comparing options & expressing opinions. Tasks 7-8: Dealing with difficult situations & describing unusual situations.
🎤 Recording: Your voice is recorded and evaluated by advanced AI + human raters.

All 8 Speaking Tasks

Complete breakdown of every CELPIP Speaking task — task type, preparation time, speaking time, and common topics

Task 1

Giving Advice

Prep: 30 sec | Speak: 90 sec

Common Topics:
  • Recommending restaurants
  • Advising a friend
  • Problem-solving
  • Daily life decisions
Task 2

Personal Experience

Prep: 30 sec | Speak: 60 sec

Common Topics:
  • Vacations & travel
  • Personal achievements
  • Challenges overcome
  • Daily routines
Task 3

Describing a Scene

Prep: 30 sec | Speak: 60 sec

Common Topics:
  • Busy streets
  • Parks & recreation
  • Office environments
  • Homes & living spaces
Task 4

Making Predictions

Prep: 30 sec | Speak: 60 sec

Common Topics:
  • What happens next?
  • Future scenarios
  • Consequences
  • Outcome predictions
Task 5

Comparing Options

Prep: 60 sec | Speak: 60 sec

Common Topics:
  • Rental comparisons
  • Product choices
  • Service providers
  • Travel routes
Task 6

Expressing Opinions

Prep: 60 sec | Speak: 60 sec

Common Topics:
  • Work-life balance
  • Technology & society
  • Education policies
  • Urban planning
Task 7

Difficult Situations

Prep: 60 sec | Speak: 60 sec

Common Topics:
  • Handling complaints
  • Resolving conflicts
  • Customer service
  • Professional dilemmas
Task 8

Unusual Situations

Prep: 60 sec | Speak: 60 sec

Common Topics:
  • Unexpected events
  • Emergency responses
  • Unique scenarios
  • Problem-solving under pressure

Frequently Asked Questions

How is CELPIP Speaking different from IELTS Speaking?

CELPIP has 8 tasks (vs 3 parts in IELTS), is completely computer-based, and uses AI scoring with human verification. It focuses on North American English and real-life Canadian situations.

What if I finish speaking before the time ends?

Use the remaining time to add more details, examples, or clarify your point. Silence before the timer ends can lower your score.

Does my accent affect my score?

No. As long as you are understandable. Clarity > accent. AI is trained to recognize many accents.

How much preparation time do I get per task?

It varies: Tasks 1-4: 30 seconds. Tasks 5-8: 60 seconds. Use this time to plan your response.

How can I practice at home?

Record yourself using our practice tests, practice with a study partner, and listen to CLB 9+ sample answers.

What’s the best way to prepare for all 8 tasks?

Practice each task type separately. Master task-specific strategies, time management, and common vocabulary for each task.