ANNEX 1 ATT A-1 8/11/18
ATTACHMENT A
ICAO LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY RATING SCALE
1.1 Expert, extended and operational levels
EVEL
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. VOCABULAR
LUENC
COMPREHENSIO
NTERACTION
Expert
6
Pronunciation, stress,
rhythm, and intonation,
though possibly influenced
by the first language or
regional variation, almost
never interfere with ease of
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 ease of 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
4
Pronunciation, stress,
rhythm, and intonation are
influenced by the first
language or regional
variation but only
sometimes interfere with
ease of 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.
evels 1, 2 and 3 are on subsequent page