The ICAO English test, in plain words.

ICAO requires pilots and air traffic controllers who use English on international flights to show their level of English. The level is written in the licence, and Level 4, Operational, is the minimum.

• Level 1 - Pre-elementaryBelow the elementary level.
• Level 2 - ElementaryShort memorised phrases. Communication is very limited.
• Level 3 - Pre-operationalRoutine situations often work, but the language breaks down when something unusual happens.
• Level 4 - OperationalThe minimum for international flight. You communicate well on common and work topics and deal with the unexpected, with some errors.
• Level 5 - ExtendedErrors are rare and do not get in the way. You handle unexpected situations with ease.
• Level 6 - ExpertAccurate and natural on aviation and general topics, close to a confident native speaker.

The examiner rates six things separately, and your level is the lowest of the six. Strong vocabulary does not make up for weak listening.

• PronunciationAn accent is fine. What matters is that it rarely gets in the way of understanding.
• StructureGrammar and sentence patterns, above all when the situation is unexpected.
• VocabularyEnough words for common and work topics, and saying it another way when a word is missing.
• FluencySpeaking at a natural pace, with pauses and fillers that do not distract.
• ComprehensionUnderstanding different accents and topics, also when things are unusual.
• InteractionsAnswering quickly and to the point, and checking, confirming and clarifying.

Level 4 and Level 5 are tested again at intervals your authority sets. ICAO recommends at least every three years at Level 4 and every six at Level 5; in the European Union the intervals are four and six years. Level 6 is not tested again.

Each test provider runs its own test, so the parts differ. Most of them include:

• An interviewAbout your work, your training and your flying.
• A pictureDescribing what you see, and what may have happened.
• A comparisonTwo situations side by side: what is the same, what is different.
• Radio listeningMessages between pilots and controllers, then questions about them.
• Something unusualTalking through an abnormal or emergency situation.