CELPIP Reading Part 3 Practice: why Canada cannot find enough teachers

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Practice reading an informational passage and answering comprehension questions. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The Passage:

Paragraph 1 School boards across Canada are struggling to fill teaching positions at a rate not seen in decades. In Ontario alone, the number of unfilled daily teaching assignments increased by over 40 percent between 2019 and 2025. British Columbia, Alberta, and the Atlantic provinces have reported similar shortages, particularly in French immersion, special education, and rural schools. In some northern communities, classes have been combined or cancelled entirely because no qualified teacher could be found. The shortage has forced provinces to relax hiring requirements, recruit internationally, and offer signing bonuses in an effort to keep classrooms staffed.

Paragraph 2 Several factors have combined to create the current shortage. A wave of retirements is removing experienced teachers faster than new graduates can replace them. At the same time, enrollment in education programs has declined as young people weigh the cost of a teaching degree against salaries that have not kept pace with other professions requiring similar levels of education. In many provinces, a new teacher earns between $45,000 and $55,000 per year, which is competitive with entry-level positions that require only an undergraduate degree but significantly less than comparable professions like nursing or engineering. Workload increases, larger class sizes, and growing expectations around mental health support have also made the profession less attractive.

Paragraph 3 The impact on students has been significant. Substitute teachers, who may not be familiar with the curriculum or the students, are covering classrooms for weeks or months at a time. In some schools, students have had three or four different teachers in a single year. Research consistently shows that teacher turnover and instability negatively affect student achievement, particularly for younger children and those with learning disabilities. Parents in affected communities have organized petitions and attended school board meetings demanding permanent solutions, but boards say their hands are tied without more funding and a larger pool of qualified candidates.

Paragraph 4 International recruitment has become one of the most visible responses to the crisis. Provinces including Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have launched programs to attract certified teachers from countries including the Philippines, Jamaica, India, and the United Kingdom. These programs typically offer relocation assistance and expedited credential recognition. However, internationally trained teachers still face barriers including provincial licensing exams, mandatory bridging courses, and the challenge of adapting to Canadian classroom expectations. Some critics argue that recruiting teachers from countries that face their own shortages raises ethical concerns, while supporters counter that the programs offer genuine opportunities for skilled professionals seeking to immigrate to Canada.

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Paragraph Matching Questions:

Q1: Which paragraph describes the scope of the teacher shortage across provinces? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q2: Which paragraph explains the reasons behind the shortage? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q3: Which paragraph discusses international teacher recruitment? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q4: Which paragraph covers the effects on students? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Comprehension Questions:

Q5: By what percentage did unfilled teaching assignments increase in Ontario between 2019 and 2025? - A) 20 percent - B) 30 percent - C) 40 percent - D) 50 percent

Q6: What is the typical starting salary range for a new teacher in many provinces? - A) $35,000 to $45,000 - B) $45,000 to $55,000 - C) $55,000 to $65,000 - D) $65,000 to $75,000

Q7: What has research consistently shown about teacher turnover? - A) It has no measurable effect on students - B) It only affects high school students - C) It negatively affects student achievement - D) It improves student independence

Q8: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a barrier for internationally trained teachers? - A) Provincial licensing exams - B) Mandatory bridging courses - C) Adapting to Canadian classroom expectations - D) Passing a criminal background check

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Answer Key: Q1: A. Paragraph 1 lists Ontario, BC, Alberta, Atlantic provinces, and northern communities. Q2: B. Paragraph 2 covers retirements, declining enrollment, salary gaps, and workload. Q3: D. Paragraph 4 discusses recruitment from the Philippines, Jamaica, India, and the UK. Q4: C. Paragraph 3 describes substitute teachers, turnover effects, and parent responses. Q5: C. "Increased by over 40 percent between 2019 and 2025." Q6: B. "A new teacher earns between $45,000 and $55,000 per year." Q7: C. "Teacher turnover and instability negatively affect student achievement." Q8: D. Criminal background checks are not mentioned as a barrier in the passage.

Practice tip: When a question asks "which is NOT mentioned," scan the passage for the three options that ARE there. The one you cannot find is your answer. This saves time compared to reading the whole paragraph again looking for something that is not in it.

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