CELPIP Vocabulary & Collocations Kit
The most practical CELPIP vocab course: 85 Canadian life topics, natural phrases, powerful collocations, and cultural tips—perfect for beginner to intermediate learners.
Lessons
85 lessons · learn at your own pace
- Start here
Everyday Basics - Greetings & Small Talk
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
- 2Lesson 2
Everyday Basics - Time, Dates & Calendars
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.
- 3Lesson 3
Everyday Basics - Numbers, Prices & Quantities
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.
- 4Lesson 4
Everyday Basics - Asking for & Giving Directions
Get anywhere with confidence: polite questions, clear step-by-step directions, landmark language, transit basics, and safety vocabulary—ideal for CELPIP speaking tasks.
- 5Lesson 5
Everyday Basics - Making Plans & Appointments
Plan like a pro: propose times, confirm details, reschedule politely, and handle bookings and no-show policies—natural Canadian phrases + CELPIP-focused collocations.
- 6Lesson 6
Housing & Home - Renting an Apartment (Ads, Viewings, Applications)
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.
- 7Lesson 7
Housing & Home - Lease Terms, Deposits & Rent Increases
Understand fixed vs. month-to-month leases, deposits, inspections, notices, renewals, and rent increases—clear phrases and collocations for Canadian housing situations.
- 8Lesson 8
Housing & Home - Utilities & Bills (Hydro, Internet, Gas)
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.
- 9Lesson 9
Housing & Home - Repairs, Maintenance & Work Orders
Report problems clearly, set priority, schedule access, and follow up politely—apartment repair vocabulary, email/portal phrases, and CELPIP collocations.
- 10Lesson 10
Housing & Home - Strata/Condo Rules & Building Notices
Understand strata/condo life: bylaws, quiet hours, move-in bookings, amenity rules, fines, and reading building notices—polite phrases and practical collocations.
- 11Lesson 11
Neighborhood & Services - Mail, Packages & the Post Office
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.
- 12Lesson 12
Neighborhood & Services - Recycling, Garbage & Compost
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.
- 13Lesson 13
Neighborhood & Services - Community Centres, Libraries & Programs
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.
- 14Lesson 14
Neighborhood & Services - Safety, Noise & Bylaws
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.
- 15Lesson 15
Neighborhood & Services - Lost & Found, Reporting Issues (311)
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.
- 16Lesson 16
Transportation - Public Transit (Buses, SkyTrain, Compass)
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.
- 17Lesson 17
Transportation - Rideshare, Taxis & Carshare
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.
- 18Lesson 18
Transportation - Driving Basics, Insurance & Car Service
Talk like a local driver: licensing and registration basics, insurance terms, reporting minor collisions, booking service, and understanding maintenance—clear phrases and collocations.
- 19Lesson 19
Transportation - Biking & Walking Around the City
Confidently discuss bike and pedestrian travel—routes, protected lanes, right-of-way, signaling, gear, locks, crosswalk etiquette, and safety-first Canadian phrasing.
- 20Lesson 20
Transportation - Delays, Cancellations & Complaints
Handle disruptions calmly—ask for updates, request refunds or credits, rebook, and file clear, polite complaints with timelines and case numbers.
- 21Lesson 21
Food & Dining - Groceries, Markets & Food Labels
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.
- 22Lesson 22
Food & Dining - Restaurants, Reservations & Takeout
Make and manage reservations, join waitlists, order confidently, request substitutions, and handle takeout/pickup—polite Canadian phrasing plus CELPIP-friendly collocations.
- 23Lesson 23
Food & Dining - Dietary Needs (Vegan, Halal, Gluten-Free)
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.
- 24Lesson 24
Food & Dining - Coffee Culture & Café Orders
Order coffee like a Canadian—espresso drinks, size and milk options, sweetness levels, customizations, and polite café phrases
- 25Lesson 25
Food & Dining - Tipping, Splitting Bills & Payment at Restaurants
Handle payment smoothly—choose tip amounts, split bills fairly, request separate checks, and pay by tap or card using concise, polite Canadian English.
- 26Lesson 26
Shopping & Money - Paying, Refunds & Exchanges
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.
- 27Lesson 27
Shopping & Money - Sales, Discounts & Price Matching
Ask confidently about sales and clearance, stack coupons or promo codes, understand exclusions, and request price matching with clear, polite Canadian English.
- 28Lesson 28
Shopping & Money - Online Orders, Delivery & Pick-Up
Place online orders clearly, choose shipping speeds, track packages, handle missed deliveries, and manage curbside/in-store pickup with confident, polite phrases.
- 29Lesson 29
Shopping & Money - Banking, Debit/Credit & E-Transfers
Talk confidently about Canadian banking—chequing vs. savings, debit vs. credit, Interac e-Transfers, holds and pending items, disputes, and everyday branch/ATM phrases.
- 30Lesson 30
Shopping & Money - Budgeting, Subscriptions & Recurring Charges
Control monthly spending—set budgets, track categories, handle auto-renewals, cancel trials on time, and resolve surprise recurring charges with clear, effective phrases.
- 31Lesson 31
Work & Career - Job Ads, Applications & Resumes
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.
- 32Lesson 32
Work & Career - Interviews, Offers & Onboarding
Prepare with STAR answers, ask smart questions, negotiate offers respectfully, and complete onboarding (tax forms, direct deposit, policies) using professional Canadian English.
- 33Lesson 33
Work & Career - Workplace Roles, Tasks & Tools
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.
- 34Lesson 34
Work & Career - Schedules, Overtime, Breaks & Time Off
Discuss shifts, flexible schedules, paid/unpaid breaks, overtime approvals, vacation and sick days, and stat holidays—clear phrases aligned with Canadian workplace norms.
- 35Lesson 35
Work & Career - Workplace Etiquette, Feedback & Performance
Communicate professionally, give and receive feedback, set goals, write self-reviews, and participate in performance cycles using concise, respectful Canadian workplace language.
- 36Lesson 36
Health & Wellness - Booking a Doctor, Walk-In & Telehealth
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.
- 37Lesson 37
Health & Wellness - Pharmacies, Prescriptions & Over-the-Counter
Speak confidently at Canadian pharmacies—refills, generics, dosing questions, side effects, interactions, delivery, transfers, and minor-ailment services using safe, polite language.
- 38Lesson 38
Health & Wellness - Symptoms, Tests & Lab Requisitions
Describe symptoms clearly, prepare for labs and imaging, confirm fasting or booking rules, and follow up on results—professional phrases for Canadian healthcare settings.
- 39Lesson 39
Health & Wellness - Dental, Vision & Allied Health
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.
- 40Lesson 40
Health & Wellness - Mental Health & Community Supports
Ask for counselling or psychiatry, discuss coverage and waitlists, use community resources (211), and handle crises respectfully with clear, supportive language.
- 41Lesson 41
Education & Family - Schools, Registration & Parent Emails
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.
- 42Lesson 42
Education & Family - Daycare, After-School & Camps
Find and communicate with daycares, after-school programs, and camps—waitlists, subsidies, allergies, late pickups, packing lists, and consent forms in clear, friendly English.
- 43Lesson 43
Education & Family - Report Cards, Meetings & Field Trips
Read report cards, book teacher conferences, discuss progress and supports, sign permissions, and volunteer as a chaperone—polite, concise Canadian school language.
- 44Lesson 44
Education & Family - Parenting, Playdates & Activities
Arrange playdates and parties, share house rules, discuss allergies and pickups, and find community activities—friendly, clear phrasing that feels natural in Canada.
- 45Lesson 45
Education & Family - College, Certificates & Continuing Ed
Navigate Canadian post-secondary—program searches, prerequisites, transcripts, admissions, tuition and aid, course registration, and micro-credentials in clear, confident English.
- 46Lesson 46
Government & Forms - IDs, SIN, MSP & Health Coverage
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.
- 47Lesson 47
Government & Forms - Taxes, Receipts & Deductions (Basics)
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.
- 48Lesson 48
Government & Forms - Permits, Applications & Proof of Address
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.
- 49Lesson 49
Government & Forms - Voting, Civic Terms & Public Holidays
Understand Canadian civic language—levels of government, ridings and representatives, how to vote (ID, advance/mail), and how public/statutory holidays affect services.
- 50Lesson 50
Government & Forms - Emergency Services (911 & Non-Emergency)
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.
- 51Lesson 51
Weather & Environment - Seasons, Forecasts & Clothing
Understand Canadian seasons and forecasts—UV index, windchill, humidex—and choose clothing layers, footwear, and accessories for comfort and safety.
- 52Lesson 52
Weather & Environment - Wildfire Smoke, Heat & Air Quality
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.
- 53Lesson 53
Weather & Environment - Snow, Ice & Storm Preparedness
Prepare for winter and storms—kits, outages, travel decisions, shovelling safely, traction tips, and clear phrases for delays and rescheduling.
- 54Lesson 54
Weather & Environment - Parks, Trails & Outdoor Safety
Plan safer outings—read advisories, pick suitable trails, carry the essentials, manage wildlife encounters, and follow Leave No Trace with polite, confident language.
- 55Lesson 55
Weather & Environment - Sustainability & Energy Use at Home
Cut costs and emissions—simple phrases to ask about energy audits, heat pumps, time-of-use rates, weatherproofing, recycling electronics, and daily conservation habits.
- 56Lesson 56
Tech & Communication - Mobile Plans, Data & Wi-Fi
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.
- 57Lesson 57
Tech & Communication - Emails, DMs & Phone Calls
Write concise emails, manage CC/BCC and attachments, DM politely, and handle phone scripts, voicemails, and callbacks—professional Canadian tone.
- 58Lesson 58
Tech & Communication - Apps, Accounts & Two-Factor Login
Create strong accounts, enable two-factor authentication, store backup codes safely, manage sessions/devices, and recover access—clear, actionable language.
- 59Lesson 59
Tech & Communication - Online Safety, Scams & Privacy
Spot phishing and fake delivery texts, use password managers and 2FA, lock down privacy settings, and report scams with calm, precise language.
- 60Lesson 60
Tech & Communication - Printing, Scanning & Document Sharing
Print cleanly, scan to searchable PDFs, fix jams and driver issues, and share documents with the right permissions—simple, professional phrasing.
- 61Lesson 61
Social Life & Culture - Invitations, RSVPs & Hosting
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.
- 62Lesson 62
Social Life & Culture - Polite Requests, Offers & Favors
Ask for help without pressure, offer assistance naturally, accept or decline favors kindly, and follow up with thanks—polite Canadian phrasing that feels comfortable.
- 63Lesson 63
Social Life & Culture - Compliments, Thanks & Apologies
Give natural compliments, accept them gracefully, say thanks with the right tone, and apologize effectively—acknowledge, fix, and move forward.
- 64Lesson 64
Social Life & Culture - Small Disagreements & Problem-Solving
Handle minor conflicts with calm, respectful language—acknowledge, explain impact, suggest options, agree on next steps, and follow up.
- 65Lesson 65
Social Life & Culture - Holiday Traditions & Celebrations in Canada
Share inclusive holiday greetings, plan potlucks and gift exchanges, understand common Canadian traditions, and communicate respectfully across diverse celebrations.
- 66Lesson 66
Travel & Leisure - Booking Trips, Hotels & Vacation Plans
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.
- 67Lesson 67
Travel & Leisure - Airports, Security & Boarding
Move through airports smoothly—check in, know baggage rules, clear security, find your gate, board by zone, and handle delays with calm, precise language.
- 68Lesson 68
Travel & Leisure - Tourist Info, Museums & Attractions
Ask about hours, tickets, discounts, timed entry, tours, lockers, and photo rules; plan smooth visits to museums and attractions with friendly, clear English.
- 69Lesson 69
Travel & Leisure - Sports, Gyms & Fitness Classes
Join gyms and classes smoothly—passes and memberships, waitlists and cancellations, equipment etiquette, and clear safety and accessibility questions.
- 70Lesson 70
Travel & Leisure - Events, Tickets & Seating
Find and buy tickets, choose seats, understand bag policies and mobile tickets, transfer or resell safely, and handle postponements or refunds—clear, polite phrasing.
- 71Lesson 71
Canadian Life - Provinces, Cities & Regional Words
Talk about Canadian places with confidence—provinces/territories, major cities and regions, common abbreviations, and regional words (washroom, hydro, parkade, toque).
- 72Lesson 72
Canadian Life - Food Culture & Local Products
Order and chat about Canadian foods—maple syrup, poutine, Montreal bagels, Nanaimo bars, smoked salmon, lobster; markets, seasonal eating, and polite tasting notes.
- 73Lesson 73
Canadian Life - Indigenous Acknowledgements & Place Names (Respectful Use)
Make thoughtful, accurate land acknowledgements; use correct Nation and place names; avoid performative language; and invite learning and relationships.
- 74Lesson 74
Canadian Life - Workplace Diversity & Inclusion Language
Communicate inclusively at work—pronouns, names, accessible language, neutral terms, meeting etiquette, and respectful feedback to build belonging.
- 75Lesson 75
Canadian Life - Everyday Politeness & “Canadianisms”
Sound natural in Canada—softeners (“sorry,” “could you”), queuing, door etiquette, small talk, and classic Canadianisms like washroom, loonie/toonie, toque, and “eh.”
- 76Lesson 76
Functional Language - Giving Opinions & Reasons
Sound natural sharing opinions in Canada—softeners, balanced frames, clear reasons and examples, and useful collocations for polite, confident speaking and writing.
- 77Lesson 77
Functional Language - Agreeing, Disagreeing & Softening Language
Agree or disagree clearly but kindly—light/strong agreement, respectful disagreement, hedging and softening, and bridge phrases to keep conversations collaborative.
- 78Lesson 78
Functional Language - Requests, Offers & Suggestions
Ask for things politely, offer help naturally, and make suggestions that land—use softeners, timelines, and clear next steps.
- 79Lesson 79
Functional Language - Describing Problems & Asking for Help
Explain issues clearly—what happened, when, impact, steps tried—and ask for the right help with timelines and attachments.
- 80Lesson 80
Functional Language - Complaints, Solutions & Follow-Up
Raise issues professionally—state facts and impact, request a fair remedy, keep records, and follow up to closure in polite, effective Canadian English.
- 81Lesson 81
Grammar-in-Use - Common Phrasal Verbs for Daily Life
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.
- 82Lesson 82
Grammar-in-Use - Collocations with “Make/Do/Take/Get/Have”
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.
- 83Lesson 83
Grammar-in-Use - Quantity Words (some/any/much/many/a lot)
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.
- 84Lesson 84
Grammar-in-Use - Degrees & Comparisons (too/enough/very/quite)
Speak precisely about degree—very vs. quite vs. pretty, too + adj to, enough + to, comparatives/superlatives, and useful modifiers like a bit/far/way.
- 85Lesson 85
Grammar-in-Use - Time Markers & Sequencing (first/next/then/finally)
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).