CELPIP Vocabulary & Collocations Kit

Sound natural and friendly in Canada with real-life greetings, small-talk starters, polite closers, mini-dialogues, and high-value collocations for halls, elevators, coffee shops, and workplaces—perfect for CELPIP speaking

Speak about time like a local: read and say times, talk about dates and deadlines, use prepositions correctly, and schedule clearly—Canadian tips + CELPIP-ready collocations.

Master money talk for shopping and daily life: numbers big and small, cash vs. card, taxes & tips, quantities for groceries and cooking—plus essential collocations for CELPIP.

Get anywhere with confidence: polite questions, clear step-by-step directions, landmark language, transit basics, and safety vocabulary—ideal for CELPIP speaking tasks.

Plan like a pro: propose times, confirm details, reschedule politely, and handle bookings and no-show policies—natural Canadian phrases + CELPIP-focused collocations.

Read rental ads, book viewings, ask smart questions, complete applications, and follow up professionally—Canada-specific vocabulary (e.g., “hydro”), polite phrases, and CELPIP-ready collocations.

Understand fixed vs. month-to-month leases, deposits, inspections, notices, renewals, and rent increases—clear phrases and collocations for Canadian housing situations.

Set up, read, and manage utility bills like a local: “hydro” (electricity), gas, internet, water, and heat—account setup phrases, outage talk, and CELPIP collocations.

Report problems clearly, set priority, schedule access, and follow up politely—apartment repair vocabulary, email/portal phrases, and CELPIP collocations.

Understand strata/condo life: bylaws, quiet hours, move-in bookings, amenity rules, fines, and reading building notices—polite phrases and practical collocations.

Use Canadian mail services like a pro: addresses and postal codes, stamps and postage, tracking and delivery options, parcel lockers and pickups, returns and customs—CELPIP-ready phrases and collocations.

Sort waste correctly in Canada: blue-bin recycling, green-bin organics, garbage limits, bulky items, depots and bottle returns—clear rules, schedule phrases, and CELPIP-ready collocations.

Join community life: register for fitness and swim times, book drop-in classes, get a library card, place holds, borrow and renew items, and use makerspaces—polite phrases and collocations for CELPIP success.

Navigate local rules: quiet hours, parking and pet bylaws, building safety, snow and sidewalk rules, smoke-free areas, and how to report concerns—clear phrases and collocations.

Get stuff back and fix city problems: how to report lost items, contact transit or businesses, use 311 for potholes, graffiti, streetlights, missed pickups—polite scripts and high-value collocations.

Master everyday transit English in Canada—reading route info, tapping with Compass, asking for help, making transfers, handling delays, and using polite phrases for buses and trains.

Order rides smoothly, meet at the right pickup point, handle surge pricing, share trip details, use taxis confidently, and reserve/unlock carshare vehicles—safe, polite Canadian phrasing.

Talk like a local driver: licensing and registration basics, insurance terms, reporting minor collisions, booking service, and understanding maintenance—clear phrases and collocations.

Confidently discuss bike and pedestrian travel—routes, protected lanes, right-of-way, signaling, gear, locks, crosswalk etiquette, and safety-first Canadian phrasing.

Handle disruptions calmly—ask for updates, request refunds or credits, rebook, and file clear, polite complaints with timelines and case numbers.

Shop like a local in Canada—navigate supermarkets and farmers’ markets, read Nutrition Facts and ingredient lists, ask for substitutions, and use high-value collocations for CELPIP.

Make and manage reservations, join waitlists, order confidently, request substitutions, and handle takeout/pickup—polite Canadian phrasing plus CELPIP-friendly collocations.

Explain dietary needs clearly, scan menus, avoid cross-contact, and ask respectful questions about vegan, halal, and gluten-free options—polite scripts and key collocations.

Order coffee like a Canadian—espresso drinks, size and milk options, sweetness levels, customizations, and polite café phrases

Handle payment smoothly—choose tip amounts, split bills fairly, request separate checks, and pay by tap or card using concise, polite Canadian English.

Pay smoothly by card, tap, or mobile; ask for receipts; request refunds or exchanges with the right phrases; understand store credit, restocking fees, and proof-of-purchase requirements in Canada.

Ask confidently about sales and clearance, stack coupons or promo codes, understand exclusions, and request price matching with clear, polite Canadian English.

Place online orders clearly, choose shipping speeds, track packages, handle missed deliveries, and manage curbside/in-store pickup with confident, polite phrases.

Talk confidently about Canadian banking—chequing vs. savings, debit vs. credit, Interac e-Transfers, holds and pending items, disputes, and everyday branch/ATM phrases.

Control monthly spending—set budgets, track categories, handle auto-renewals, cancel trials on time, and resolve surprise recurring charges with clear, effective phrases.

Read job ads accurately, tailor your resume and cover letter to ATS, highlight metrics, and submit complete applications with references and portfolios—polite, effective Canadian phrasing.

Prepare with STAR answers, ask smart questions, negotiate offers respectfully, and complete onboarding (tax forms, direct deposit, policies) using professional Canadian English.

Talk clearly about roles and responsibilities, plan work with tickets and timelines, collaborate across teams, and use common workplace tools (Slack, Teams, Jira, Docs) confidently.

Discuss shifts, flexible schedules, paid/unpaid breaks, overtime approvals, vacation and sick days, and stat holidays—clear phrases aligned with Canadian workplace norms.

Communicate professionally, give and receive feedback, set goals, write self-reviews, and participate in performance cycles using concise, respectful Canadian workplace language.

Book and manage medical visits in Canada—walk-in vs. family doctor vs. telehealth, what to say when booking, polite rescheduling, referrals, and results follow-ups using clear, natural English.

Speak confidently at Canadian pharmacies—refills, generics, dosing questions, side effects, interactions, delivery, transfers, and minor-ailment services using safe, polite language.

Describe symptoms clearly, prepare for labs and imaging, confirm fasting or booking rules, and follow up on results—professional phrases for Canadian healthcare settings.

Book and talk about dental, eye, and allied health visits—cleanings, exams, physio/massage, direct billing, treatment plans, and receipts for insurance in natural Canadian English.

Ask for counselling or psychiatry, discuss coverage and waitlists, use community resources (211), and handle crises respectfully with clear, supportive language.

Enrol kids in Canadian schools, understand catchments and documents, write clear parent emails, and ask about buses, ELL supports, and classroom routines—polite, practical language.

Find and communicate with daycares, after-school programs, and camps—waitlists, subsidies, allergies, late pickups, packing lists, and consent forms in clear, friendly English.

Read report cards, book teacher conferences, discuss progress and supports, sign permissions, and volunteer as a chaperone—polite, concise Canadian school language.

Arrange playdates and parties, share house rules, discuss allergies and pickups, and find community activities—friendly, clear phrasing that feels natural in Canada.

Navigate Canadian post-secondary—program searches, prerequisites, transcripts, admissions, tuition and aid, course registration, and micro-credentials in clear, confident English.

Navigate Canadian ID and health coverage: get or renew IDs, apply for a SIN, register provincial health care (e.g., MSP in BC), update addresses, and speak clearly at counters and on forms.

Speak tax basics in Canada—organize slips and receipts, use CRA My Account/NETFILE language, ask about deductions and credits, and follow up on your Notice of Assessment.

Apply for permits and services with confidence—understand requirements, gather documents, provide proof of address, and follow up on status or decisions in clear, polite English.

Understand Canadian civic language—levels of government, ridings and representatives, how to vote (ID, advance/mail), and how public/statutory holidays affect services.

Call 911 clearly, use non-emergency lines and 811/211, report what’s happening, give your location, follow dispatcher instructions, and debrief afterward—calm, precise Canadian English.

Understand Canadian seasons and forecasts—UV index, windchill, humidex—and choose clothing layers, footwear, and accessories for comfort and safety.

Read the AQHI, prepare for smoke and heat, use masks/filters safely, and ask for cooling or clean-air options in clear, calm Canadian English.

Prepare for winter and storms—kits, outages, travel decisions, shovelling safely, traction tips, and clear phrases for delays and rescheduling.

Plan safer outings—read advisories, pick suitable trails, carry the essentials, manage wildlife encounters, and follow Leave No Trace with polite, confident language.

Cut costs and emissions—simple phrases to ask about energy audits, heat pumps, time-of-use rates, weatherproofing, recycling electronics, and daily conservation habits.

Compare prepaid/postpaid plans, activate SIM/eSIM, manage data and hotspots, connect to secure Wi-Fi, troubleshoot slow speeds and outages—clear, polite Canadian English.

Write concise emails, manage CC/BCC and attachments, DM politely, and handle phone scripts, voicemails, and callbacks—professional Canadian tone.

Create strong accounts, enable two-factor authentication, store backup codes safely, manage sessions/devices, and recover access—clear, actionable language.

Spot phishing and fake delivery texts, use password managers and 2FA, lock down privacy settings, and report scams with calm, precise language.

Print cleanly, scan to searchable PDFs, fix jams and driver issues, and share documents with the right permissions—simple, professional phrasing.

Invite, accept, or decline gracefully; confirm details, share dietary needs, bring host gifts, and set friendly house rules—natural Canadian English for smooth get-togethers.

Ask for help without pressure, offer assistance naturally, accept or decline favors kindly, and follow up with thanks—polite Canadian phrasing that feels comfortable.

Give natural compliments, accept them gracefully, say thanks with the right tone, and apologize effectively—acknowledge, fix, and move forward.

Handle minor conflicts with calm, respectful language—acknowledge, explain impact, suggest options, agree on next steps, and follow up.

Share inclusive holiday greetings, plan potlucks and gift exchanges, understand common Canadian traditions, and communicate respectfully across diverse celebrations.

Plan and book trips like a pro—compare fares, pick rooms and cancellation policies, ask for late checkout or quiet rooms, handle deposits and holds, and confirm every detail politely.

Move through airports smoothly—check in, know baggage rules, clear security, find your gate, board by zone, and handle delays with calm, precise language.

Ask about hours, tickets, discounts, timed entry, tours, lockers, and photo rules; plan smooth visits to museums and attractions with friendly, clear English.

Join gyms and classes smoothly—passes and memberships, waitlists and cancellations, equipment etiquette, and clear safety and accessibility questions.

Find and buy tickets, choose seats, understand bag policies and mobile tickets, transfer or resell safely, and handle postponements or refunds—clear, polite phrasing.

Talk about Canadian places with confidence—provinces/territories, major cities and regions, common abbreviations, and regional words (washroom, hydro, parkade, toque).

Order and chat about Canadian foods—maple syrup, poutine, Montreal bagels, Nanaimo bars, smoked salmon, lobster; markets, seasonal eating, and polite tasting notes.

Make thoughtful, accurate land acknowledgements; use correct Nation and place names; avoid performative language; and invite learning and relationships.

Communicate inclusively at work—pronouns, names, accessible language, neutral terms, meeting etiquette, and respectful feedback to build belonging.

Sound natural in Canada—softeners (“sorry,” “could you”), queuing, door etiquette, small talk, and classic Canadianisms like washroom, loonie/toonie, toque, and “eh.”

Sound natural sharing opinions in Canada—softeners, balanced frames, clear reasons and examples, and useful collocations for polite, confident speaking and writing.

Agree or disagree clearly but kindly—light/strong agreement, respectful disagreement, hedging and softening, and bridge phrases to keep conversations collaborative.

Ask for things politely, offer help naturally, and make suggestions that land—use softeners, timelines, and clear next steps.

Explain issues clearly—what happened, when, impact, steps tried—and ask for the right help with timelines and attachments.

Raise issues professionally—state facts and impact, request a fair remedy, keep records, and follow up to closure in polite, effective Canadian English.

Master everyday phrasal verbs (get up, pick up, drop off, look into, figure out, turn off, run out of, check in, follow up) with clear meanings, patterns, and natural Canadian examples.

Use natural verb–noun pairs (make a decision, do the dishes, take a break, get permission, have a look) with Canadian-friendly examples and quick usage tips.

Choose natural quantity words—some vs. any, much vs. many, a lot/lots of, a few/a little, few/little, plenty/enough—with clear rules and everyday examples.

Speak precisely about degree—very vs. quite vs. pretty, too + adj to, enough + to, comparatives/superlatives, and useful modifiers like a bit/far/way.

Tell stories and give instructions clearly—use first/next/then/finally, before/after/during/while, when/once/as soon as, and common time prepositions (in/on/at).