| Level |
Pronunciation Assumes a dialect and/or accent intelligible to the aeronautical community. |
Structure Relevant grammatical structures and sentence patterns are determined by language functions appropriate to the task. |
Vocabulary |
Fluency |
Comprehension |
Interactions |
| Expert 6 |
Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation, though possibly influenced by the first language or regional variation, almost never interfere with understanding. |
Both basic and complex grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled. |
Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate effectively on a wide variety of familiar and unfamiliar topics. Vocabulary is idiomatic, nuanced, and sensitive to register. |
Able to speak at length with a natural, effortless flow. Varies speech flow for stylistic effect, e.g. to emphasize a point. Uses appropriate discourse markers and connectors spontaneously. |
Comprehension is consistently accurate in nearly all contexts and includes comprehension of linguistic and cultural subtleties. |
Interacts with ease in nearly all situations. Is sensitive to verbal and non-verbal cues, and responds to them appropriately. |
| Extended 5 |
Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation, though influenced by the first language or regional variation, rarely interfere with understanding. |
Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled. Complex structures are attempted but with errors which sometimes interfere with meaning. |
Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete, and work related topics. Paraphrases consistently and successfully. Vocabulary is sometimes idiomatic. |
Able to speak at length with relative ease on familiar topics, but may not vary speech flow as a stylistic device. Can make use of appropriate discourse markers or connectors. |
Comprehension is accurate on common, concrete, and work related topics and mostly accurate when the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or situational complication or an unexpected turn of events. Is able to comprehend a range of speech varieties (dialect and/or accent) or registers. |
Responses are immediate, appropriate, and informative. Manages the speaker/listener relationship effectively. |
|
Operational Level 4 |
Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation are influenced by the first language or regional variation but only sometimes interfere with understanding. |
Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are used creatively and are usually well controlled. Errors may occur, particularly in unusual or unexpected circumstances, but rarely interfere with meaning. |
Vocabulary range and accuracy are usually sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete, and work related topics. Can often paraphrase successfully when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances. |
Produces stretches of language at an appropriate tempo. There may be occasional loss of fluency on transition from rehearsed or formulaic speech to spontaneous interaction, but this does not prevent effective communication. Can make limited use of discourse markers or connectors. Fillers are not distracting. |
Comprehension is mostly accurate on common, concrete, and work related topics when the accent or variety used is sufficiently intelligible for an international community of users. When the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or situational complication or an unexpected turn of events, comprehension may be slower or require clarification strategies. |
Responses are usually immediate, appropriate, and informative. Initiates and maintains exchanges even when dealing with an unexpected turn of events. Deals adequately with apparent misunderstandings by checking, confirming, or clarifying. |
| Note. —The Operational Level (Level 4) is the minimum required proficiency level for communication. Levels 5 and 6 describe Extended and Expert levels, at levels of proficiency more advanced than the minimum required Standard. As a whole, the scale will serve as benchmarks for training and testing, in assisting candidates to attain the ICAO Operational Level (Level 4). |
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