English Language Support

When you were learning to read, saying the words, numbers, and symbols in your mind as you read them may have helped you. However, if you are enrolled in CPA Education programs and courses, you want your eyes to track the words you read quickly. The faster you read and understand what you’ve read, the faster you move through course materials.

There are plenty of free resources available online to test your reading skills for speed and comprehension. By taking these tests, you will also see how much you’ve understood from what you read.

Here are some online websites to test your reading speed:

• Readingsoft.com to test reading speed and comprehension. It is important to note that screen reading is approximately 25 percent slower than paper reading.
• Readspeeder.com course for faster reading and improved comprehension

With Readspeeder.com, you can develop your reading skills through a series of lessons that focus on reading comprehension. Explore concepts such as words vs. ideas, chunks vs. phrases, visualizing, and concentration, and track your progression from your baseline to your current reading speed and the percentage of improvement. You can also set the maximum number of words to appear while reading, as well as compare reading speeds, time your reading, and match images with phrases using PhraseFlash.

Here are some online websites to test your reading speed:

It can be a challenge to read in a language other than your first language. However, it can become easier if you prepare in advance. The larger your vocabulary—especially specific to your chosen profession—the more comfortable you will feel when navigating through your modules and exams.

Quizlet.com offers flashcards for accounting terms from basic to advanced level vocabulary.

The following resources provide vocabulary related to accounting:

Available through the Provincial CPA Body websites

Each Western provincial CPA body has English-language resources on its website that you may find helpful.

Western Region Public Library, Post-Secondary, and Government 

In your communities, you can also take advantage of public library, post-secondary, and provincial government resources. Each Western province provides EAL learners with a variety of EAL building opportunities to assist you in becoming more confident in your English abilities.

How fast and accurate is your typing? Developing a wide range of vocabulary, combined with increased reading and comprehension speed, can help with typing accurately. 

Typing with accuracy involves having a high level of hand-eye coordination. When under pressure, motor muscle movements become slower or more erratic. This feeling is amplified if you are used to working with a non-English keyboard and suddenly switch to an English keyboard.

You will benefit by practising to type your responses quickly, especially under exam-like conditions. Learn the placement of the alphanumeric symbols on your English keyboard so you feel comfortable using them effortlessly.

How you express your writing skills will determine whether you have exemplified professionalism. According to The CPA Way and the CPA enabling competencies, you can achieve professional communication by considering these five attributes below.  

For more information on applying the CPA Way methodical approach and professional writing, please visit the CPA Canada Learning Library: Enabling Competencies Volume, Chapters 18-24 for further examples and scenarios.

To see an example of professional writing skills applying the CPA Way, please refer to the CPA Canada website for a sample report of a past Capstone 1 case.