English for Aviation: Mastering ICAO & Beyond

Today's AI-powered English learning tools have become real game-changers for busy aviation professionals, providing on-demand practice with ICAO-standardized phraseology, simulating realistic flight scenarios and emergency procedures and offering instant feedback on radio communication clarity.

Such technology allows learners to develop their speaking and listening skills at their own pace without scheduling constraints.

Whether you're preparing for your ICAO Level 4 assessment, practicing ATC communications for international routes, or building confidence for crew resource management in multinational cockpits, combining structured aviation English training with AI technology creates a powerful pathway to becoming a clear, confident communicator in high-stakes flight operations.

Its standards have helped reduce miscommunication that might have posed serious risks to passengers and defined how general English can be useful for specific purposes.

Key takeaways

In this guide, you’ll find the following key points:

• Aviation English is a specialized form of general English, mainly for the higher safety of air travel
• ICAO’s language proficiency scale sets six levels, with Level 4 as the minimum operational standard for pilots and air traffic controllers
• To reach higher ICAO levels, you need solid skills across pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and interaction — not just memorized phrases
• Consistent, targeted practice with textbooks, real ATC audio, and an AI speaking tutor helps you build the confidence and clarity you need for high‑stakes radio communication

What is aviation English, and why is it essential for safety?

Aviation English is the standard language used by pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals at airports. Its two core goals are ensuring clarity in aeronautical communication and safeguarding aviation safety.

Aviation English has a designated status of “English for specific purposes.” That means it differs slightly from general English in phrasing and other specific structures. It started as a recommendation from ICAO at the Chicago Convention in 1951 and has since been widely accepted worldwide.

It became apparent that we need a standardized form of English for aviation worldwide when the cost of miscommunication became fatal. The Tenerife Disaster of 1977, for example, claimed 583 lives at the airport due to a communication failure.

By adopting a standard such as aviation English, you can improve communication safety and ensure that critical radiotelephony details of air travel don’t get mixed up with the regular features of the general English language.

Gaining proficiency in aviation English is a safety responsibility for you, and it is to pair with your skill in operating and piloting the airplane, you can ensure a clear communication link between the cockpit and the control tower on every flight you make.

Understanding the ICAO language proficiency requirements

The ICAO now mandates that pilots, air traffic controllers, and other airport service operators be proficient in speaking and understanding aviation English on the LPR scale.

The decision came when the body adopted certain standards and recommended practices (SARPs) in 2003, with the main goal of strengthening language proficiency in international civil aviation.

According to the ICAO’s proficiency rating scale, pilots and operators can go through six levels of proficiency, with level 4 being the minimum operational level acceptable. Below is a further breakdown of the proficiency levels:

• Level 1 proficiency: This level is also known as the “pre-elementary” level. Vocabulary, structure, fluency, and comprehension at this level are below the elementary level.
• Level 2 proficiency: This is the elementary level, where the vocabulary range is still limited and the structure shows limited command of grammatical and sentence patterns
• Level 3 proficiency: This is the pre-operational level of aviation English proficiency, and operators at this proficiency level have a sufficient vocabulary range and accuracy. However, grammar structures might still be uncontrolled, and fluency is still heavily influenced by the first language.
• Level 4 proficiency: This level is the approved minimum ICAO proficiency level. Called the operational level, pilots and ATC who attain it now have sufficient vocabulary for common and work-related topics. They can also speak the language at a good pace, although there may still be occasional lapses in fluency.
• Level 5 proficiency: This is the extended level, where vocabulary now takes idiomatic forms. Operators at this proficiency level are more fluent and can use appropriate holistic descriptors and markers in conversations.
• Level 6 proficiency: The level 6 proficiency level is the expert level, and operators here show advanced vocabulary that’s sensitive to register and nuance, with fluency that’s natural and effortless.

The 6 skills assessed by the ICAO

ICAO assesses certain language skills through its proficiency test to properly ascertain operators’ level. They include:

• Pronunciation: The proficiency tests for clear pronunciation in a voice-only situation. Tests particularly check if there's interference from the operator’s first language in their pronunciation. Loora AI can help learners particularly develop their pronunciation skills through live pronunciation practice and instant feedback on clarity.
• Structure: This involves the correct use of grammar and sentence patterns. Tests check for the level of control over both basic and complex sentence and grammar patterns. Learners can practice simulated conversations on Loora AI, where the tutor assesses your performance in real-time.
• Vocabulary: This involves demonstrating a sufficient range of aviation-specific and general terms. The ICAO test typically assesses range and variety across common, concrete, and work-related topics. You can practice your aviation vocabulary skills on Loora AI as well.
• Fluency: This is a skill that involves speaking aviation English at a natural tempo without excessive hesitation. When assessing this skill, the ICAO test evaluates flow and control over discourse markers and connectors. Loora AI can give you feedback on your fluency and pacing instantly.
• Comprehension: It involves accurately understanding command transmissions, especially in unexpected situations. ICAO tests assess comprehension accuracy under unexpected events and across a range of speech varieties. Loora AI’s feedback feature can access your comprehension levels after each practice session.
• Interaction: This skill concerns how well an operator responds appropriately and effectively, clarifying when necessary. The proficiency test will assess immediacy, appropriateness, and informativeness. Loora AI has a role play feature that lets you practice operator interactions with an AI respondent.

Standard phraseology vs. plain English: what’s the difference?

Standard phraseology in aviation English is the set of specific, pre-defined phrases operators use for routine communication. It exists to avoid ambiguity in critical civilian flight communications.

Plain English in aviation means using clear, natural language when standard phraseology is insufficient. This is often in the case of non-routine or emergency situations. Below is a comparison table that puts the differences between the two forms of English in the right context:

How to practice and improve your aviation English skills

While ICAO's language proficiency standards are rigorous, pilots and air traffic controllers can achieve the required Level 4 through consistent, targeted practice. You can steadily get more confident in your control over the skills necessary to pass the proficiency test.

Aviation professionals may understand the terms used in plain English and standard phraseology well, but hesitate when communicating them. This fear is natural but must be addressed, as hesitation in critical moments can quickly compromise safety.

Another problem is developing a "radio ear". This is the ability to quickly understand rapid, accented speech through static and interference. You need dedicated practice to get to that skill level. Specialized textbooks like the Oxford Aviation English for ICAO Compliance series can help you to start practicing properly. The material provides structured lessons that align with ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements, and you can use it in conjunction with Loora AI for vocabulary building exercises, and scenario-based practice.

Practice by listening to real-world ATC communications on LiveATC.net, where you can hear how pilots and controllers handle both routine and unusual situations. They have real-time air traffic control communications from airports worldwide, and access is free.

You can start with smaller, less congested airports and gradually work your way up to truly busy international hubs like Heathrow.

15-20 minutes of daily listening is the perfect spot. Try focusing on recognizing plain English phrases even when delivered quickly or with unfamiliar accents. Transcribe what you hear, then replay sections to check your accuracy. Special online courses and flight school training programs can help if you’re particular about academic training. Just look for instructors who hold ICAO aviation English certifications and have actual aviation experience.

Using an AI tutor to simulate real-world scenarios

If you’re looking to get properly proficient in aviation English (and quickly, too), you’d agree that practising unscripted, non-routine situations gets you there. Yet, such materials are hard to find these days.

Thankfully, Loora's AI-powered app can act as a 24/7 conversation partner, allowing you to simulate actual non-routine flight operations. Loora AI can even complement your other learning methods and promptly fill any gaps left by the textbooks or learning guides.

Users can practice simulated high-stakes scenarios, such as reporting a sick passenger or turbulence to ground control, and receive instant feedback on their pronunciation, grammar, and clarity. The app helps you build confidence in a completely judgment-free environment.

Common aviation English tests and how to confidently prepare

Some of the well-known aviation English tests you can take today assess ICAO skills in realistic contexts and scenarios.

For instance, the ELPAC test, first developed by Eurocontrol, has since become widely recognized globally. It offers recorded listening tasks and interactive proficiency assessments to pilots and ATCs under the supervision of a trained examiner.

Another one is the Test of English for Aviation (TEA), an aviation English proficiency test designed around computer-based testing with automated speech recognition technology. It’s a popular test in Asia-Pacific region, developed by Aviation English Asia.

Below is a checklist that can assist you in preparing for any of these tests:

• Understand the test format: Take the time to find out the test’s structure and scoring system. Confirm whether it’s computer or examiner-based.
• Practice responding to both standard and non-standard prompts: A helpful tip is memorizing routine phraseology for common situations and practicing descriptions of unusual scenarios that require plain English.
• Record yourself and listen for fluency and pronunciation errors, particularly hesitations and fillers, which reduce fluency.
• Focus on your weakest of the 6 skill areas: For instance, if interactions are difficult, role-playing scenarios with Loora AI can help you clarify, confirm, and manage misunderstandings.
• Simulate test conditions to manage time and pressure: Work through each test round without pausing or rewinding.