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ICAO Language Proficiency Descriptors
& Levels 4, 5 & 6
Comprehension
Comprehension is the ability to understand spoken English accurately and effectively in an aviation environment. This includes understanding routine and non-routine communications, different accents and variations in speech rate. A proficient speaker should be able to understand the main meaning, relevant details and intended meaning of a message, even when the situation becomes more complex or unexpected. Effective comprehension also involves recognising when clarification or confirmation is required to ensure safe and accurate communication.
ICAO Level 4 requires mostly accurate comprehension of common, concrete and work-related communication, while unexpected or complicated situations may require clarification. At Level 5, comprehension is more reliable when complications or unexpected developments occur. At Level 6, comprehension is consistently accurate across almost all contexts.
Example scenario
ATC:
"Speedbird 452, after departure we have received reports of moderate turbulence between FL180 and FL240. There is also a possibility of thunderstorms developing along your planned route. You can continue as planned, or request a deviation to the south."
Level 4 — Operational
The pilot understands the essential information and can respond appropriately:
"Speedbird 452, understood. We would like to deviate to the south to avoid the turbulence and thunderstorms."
The pilot has understood the important operational information and taken appropriate action. They may need clarification if the controller introduces more complex information.
Level 5 — Extended
"Speedbird 452, understood. If the turbulence is expected to continue through FL240, we'd prefer to take the southerly deviation. Could you advise us how much additional track miles this would involve?"
The pilot demonstrates a stronger understanding of the situation and is able to respond to additional information while continuing the interaction naturally.
Level 6 — Expert
"Speedbird 452, understood. Given the forecast turbulence and the developing cells along our planned route, we'd prefer to take the southerly deviation. If possible, we'd like to minimise the additional track miles, so could you advise us of the most suitable heading and whether the weather is expected to extend further south?"
The response demonstrates highly effective comprehension, including the ability to identify relevant implications and respond naturally to a developing situation.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary refers to the range, accuracy and flexibility of words and expressions used to communicate effectively. In an aviation environment, this includes appropriate use of standard aviation terminology as well as plain English when standard phraseology is insufficient. A strong level of proficiency allows a speaker to describe situations clearly, explain problems, express ideas and respond appropriately when faced with unfamiliar or unexpected circumstances. The ability to paraphrase and use alternative expressions is particularly important when the exact word or phrase is not immediately available.
ICAO Level 4 requires sufficient vocabulary to communicate effectively about common, concrete and work-related subjects, with the ability to paraphrase when necessary. Level 5 demonstrates a wider and more flexible vocabulary and consistent successful paraphrasing. Level 6 allows effective communication across a wide range of familiar and unfamiliar subjects, with greater nuance and sensitivity to context.
Example scenario
Question:
"During the approach you notice that the weather is deteriorating and visibility is reducing. Describe what you would consider before continuing the approach."
Level 4 - Operational
"The weather is getting worse and the visibility is going down. I would check the latest weather information and the approach minima. If the weather is below the required limits, I would not continue the approach."
The vocabulary is straightforward but appropriate and sufficient to communicate the essential meaning.
Level 5 - Extended
"If the visibility continues to deteriorate, I would review the latest weather information and compare it with the applicable approach minima. I would also consider whether the conditions are changing quickly and whether it would be more appropriate to divert before commencing the approach."
The pilot demonstrates a broader vocabulary and can explain the situation more precisely.
Level 6 - Operational
"If the visibility is deteriorating rapidly, I would assess not only whether the current conditions remain above the applicable minima, but also the trend and the likelihood of the situation worsening during the approach. I would consider the available alternatives, fuel remaining and the suitability of the diversion options before committing to the approach."
The language is more flexible and precise, with the ability to express relationships between several factors.
Structure
Structure assesses the ability to use grammar and sentence patterns accurately and appropriately when communicating. The assessment considers whether grammatical errors interfere with meaning or make communication difficult to understand. At higher levels of proficiency, speakers should be able to use a wider range of grammatical structures with greater accuracy and flexibility, particularly when explaining events, describing situations or discussing hypothetical and non-routine circumstances. The objective is effective communication rather than perfect academic English.
Structure concerns the ability to use grammatical structures and sentence patterns effectively. Level 4 generally uses basic structures well enough for effective communication, although errors can occur, particularly in unusual circumstances. At Level 5, basic structures are consistently well controlled, while attempts at more complex structures may contain errors. Level 6 demonstrates consistently well-controlled basic and complex structures.
Example scenario
Question:
"Tell me about a situation where a flight did not go according to plan."
Level 4 - Operational
"We were flying to Madrid and the weather was very bad. When we were approaching the airport, the controller told us that the airport was closed because of the weather. We decided to divert to Barcelona."
The structure is relatively simple, but the meaning is clear.
Level 5 - Extended
"We were approaching Madrid when the controller informed us that the airport had temporarily closed because of deteriorating weather conditions. We had already considered the possibility of a diversion, so we decided to proceed to Barcelona rather than wait for the situation to improve."
The pilot demonstrates more consistent control of tense, sentence structure and relationships between events.
Level 6 - Expert
"Although we had anticipated some deterioration in the weather, the situation developed more rapidly than forecast. By the time we were established on the arrival, it had become clear that remaining in the hold would provide little benefit, particularly as the latest reports suggested that conditions were unlikely to improve in the immediate future. We therefore elected to divert while we still had several suitable options available."
The pilot comfortably combines complex grammatical structures while maintaining clarity.
Interaction
IInteraction is the ability to participate effectively in two-way communication. This includes responding appropriately, initiating communication, maintaining a conversation and adapting communication when circumstances change. Effective interaction also involves checking understanding, clarifying information, confirming meaning and dealing appropriately with misunderstandings. In aviation, the ability to recognise when communication has not been fully understood and take action to resolve the situation is an important part of effective communication.
Interaction is particularly important in aviation because communication is not simply about producing correct sentences. The pilot must be able to respond, clarify, confirm, negotiate meaning and manage communication when circumstances change. ICAO Level 4 requires the ability to initiate and maintain exchanges and deal adequately with misunderstandings; higher levels demonstrate increasing ease and effectiveness.
Example scenario
ATC:
"Speedbird 452, descend FL120. Traffic ahead is at your 12 o'clock, four miles, same level."
The pilot initially misunderstands the traffic information.
Level 4 - Operational
"Confirm traffic is four miles ahead at our level?"
The pilot recognises the potential misunderstanding and asks for confirmation.
Level 5 - Extended
"Confirm, traffic is four miles ahead at our 12 o'clock and currently maintaining our level?"
The pilot clarifies the specific information they require and maintains the interaction effectively.
Level 6 - Expert
"Speedbird 452, just to confirm, we're looking for traffic four miles ahead at our 12 o'clock, currently maintaining FL120. If that's correct, we'll maintain the present heading and look out."
The pilot manages the interaction naturally, confirms the information and explains the intended action.
Pronunciation
Pronunciation assesses how clearly a speaker communicates through individual sounds, word stress, rhythm and intonation. The objective is not to speak English without an accent, but to ensure that pronunciation is sufficiently clear and intelligible to an international aviation community. At higher levels of proficiency, pronunciation should consistently support clear communication, with any accent or pronunciation characteristics having little or no effect on understanding. The key consideration is whether the listener can understand the intended message without undue effort.
Pronunciation is not about eliminating an accent. ICAO specifically assesses whether pronunciation, stress, rhythm and intonation interfere with intelligibility. At Level 4, these characteristics may sometimes affect ease of understanding; at Level 5 they rarely do so; at Level 6 they almost never interfere with understanding.
Example
Consider the statement:
"We have smoke in the cabin and we need to land as soon as possible."
Level 4 - Operational
The message is understandable to the international aviation community, although pronunciation, stress or rhythm may occasionally require the listener to concentrate more carefully.
Level 5 - Extended
The message is delivered clearly, with pronunciation and intonation rarely causing difficulty for the listener. The pilot's accent may still be noticeable, but it does not normally interfere with understanding.
Level 6 - Expert
The message is consistently clear and easily understood. Pronunciation, stress, rhythm and intonation support communication naturally, including during longer or more complex exchanges.
Important point
Fluency
Fluency is the ability to communicate at an appropriate and natural pace while maintaining a coherent flow of speech. It includes the effective use of pauses, hesitation, reformulation and linking of ideas. A fluent speaker should be able to express thoughts and respond to questions without excessive hesitation or long pauses, while still taking sufficient time to formulate an accurate response. In aviation communication, fluency is particularly important when describing unexpected situations, explaining a problem or communicating information under pressure.
Fluency concerns the ability to communicate at an appropriate pace while maintaining a coherent flow of speech. Level 4 allows some hesitation, particularly when moving from familiar or rehearsed language to spontaneous communication. Level 5 demonstrates greater ease over extended speech, while Level 6 allows a natural and effortless flow across a wide range of situations.
Example scenario
Question:
"What would you do if you experienced a technical problem shortly after take-off?"
Level 4 - Operational
"First, I would deal with the problem according to the procedures. I would tell ATC that we have a problem and we may need to return to the airport. I would also check the situation and decide if we can continue or if we need to land."
The pilot communicates effectively, although there may be pauses while organising thoughts.
Level 5 - Extended
"My first priority would be to manage the technical problem in accordance with the applicable procedures. I would inform ATC of the situation and, depending on the nature of the failure, decide whether we should return to the departure airport or continue to another suitable airport. I would also consider the weather, fuel and available landing options."
The response flows more naturally and links several ideas together.
Level 6 - Expert
"The initial response would depend on the nature and severity of the failure, but my priority would be to stabilise the aircraft and establish what options are available. Once we had dealt with the immediate problem, I would assess whether returning to the departure airport offered the safest solution or whether another airport would be more appropriate, taking into account the aircraft's condition, weather, fuel and the facilities available."
The pilot can sustain a natural, coherent response while developing and connecting several ideas.