Yes, Transport Canada requires that all pilots are tested for English Language Proficiency prior to issue of the Private Pilot Licence. This test is a conversational test and does not involve a written or reading component.
At Pacific Professional Flight Centre we encourage this test be completed prior to the students 1st solo flight. Therefore we encourage that all students whose mother language is not English, take some form of ESL prior to commencing training with us.
We also recommend applicants whose first language is not English to obtain a IELTS band score of at least 6.0 in both listening and speaking. This will enable one to successfully learn and function in the flight training environment.