The test, assessing speaking and listening proficiency requested by the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements, is a human interaction test between one Candidate and one Interlocutor and takes approximately 20 minutes. Test tasks are focused as much as possible on contexts relevant to the aviation role and experience of the Candidate. The ICAO English Language Proficiency Test is not intended to and does not test or evaluate the operational or technical knowledge of the Candidate, however operational contexts and technical references are used to make sure that the language proficiency being assessed fulfils the appropriate requirements. There are 3 parts of the assessment:
First part: Conversation
After a brief introduction of the assessment, the interlocutor will ask several aviation related questions from the Candidate who is supposed to respond to these questions directly and fully. There are no right or wrong answers.
Example questions:
- Could you spell your name using the phonetic alphabet?
- Why did you decided to take this exam and what do you need it for?
- Could you talk about your aviation related career?
- Could you talk about the type of aircraft you currently fly with?
- Could you compare the two airports you visit the most frequently?
- How do you see the impact of aviation on the environment in the future?
Second part: Individual picture description
Candidate will be shown a picture on a related aviation topic and asked to describe it with as much details as possible. Then the examiner will discuss this topic with the Candidate to allow him/her to show his/her ability to give opinions, speculate about the future and justify his/her ideas.
Example Picture:
Third part: Listening
The third part of the assessment is about listening and measures the comprehension and interaction of the candidate. Candidate listens to a radio communication, later asked by the interlocutor to describe what he/she has heard with as many details as possible. Candidate will be allowed to show his/her ability to give opinions, speculate about the future and justify his/her ideas.