EXTENDED – In the ICAO English Language Proficiency test, the Extended Level (Level 5) rating represents an advanced command of aviation English. Candidates at this level communicate effectively in nearly all aviation-related contexts and handle complex and unexpected situations well, although they may not demonstrate the complete ease and flexibility associated with the Expert Level (Level 6). Here’s how each of the six proficiency criteria is marked at the Extended Level:
1. Pronunciation
- Marking at Extended Level: Pronunciation is clear, with minor influence from an accent that does not interfere with intelligibility. Occasional slight deviations in intonation or stress patterns may occur but do not impede understanding. Listeners can easily comprehend the speaker, even in complex or high-stress scenarios.
2. Structure (Grammar and Sentence Construction)
- Marking at Extended Level: The speaker uses a wide range of grammatical structures accurately and consistently. Errors are infrequent and do not affect clarity. While the speaker may occasionally avoid more complex grammatical structures, their sentence construction is precise and allows for clear communication.
3. Vocabulary
- Marking at Extended Level: Vocabulary is broad, flexible, and appropriate for a wide range of aviation and non-aviation contexts. The speaker can express nuanced meanings and handle unexpected situations with ease, although their vocabulary may not be as varied or precise as at the Expert Level. Minor limitations may be present, but they do not significantly impede communication.
4. Fluency
- Marking at Extended Level: Speech is generally smooth and spontaneous, with only occasional pauses or hesitations that do not interfere with communication. The speaker can discuss complex ideas without significant disruption in fluency, though they may exhibit minor hesitations when shifting to highly complex or nuanced topics.
5. Comprehension
- Marking at Extended Level: The speaker demonstrates strong comprehension in a wide variety of contexts, including complex or unexpected information. They understand nearly all spoken English, including different accents and fast-paced speech, with only occasional requests for repetition or clarification in particularly challenging situations.
6. Interactions
- Marking at Extended Level: Interaction skills are effective and responsive, allowing the speaker to manage conversations comfortably and handle unexpected situations with minimal difficulty. The speaker can take turns, respond to questions, and clarify when needed, though interactions may not be as seamless as at the Expert Level.
Overall Scoring at Extended Level (Level 5)
To achieve the Extended Level (Level 5), the speaker must show a high degree of proficiency across all six criteria. This includes clear pronunciation, strong vocabulary and grammar usage, smooth fluency, effective comprehension, and responsive interactions. Although minor limitations may exist—such as slight hesitations, occasional reliance on familiar grammatical structures, or minor misunderstandings—these do not significantly impede communication or require extra effort from listeners.
A Level 5 rating generally means that the speaker is fully operationally proficient and can handle most routine and non-routine situations with ease. However, in extremely complex or unexpected scenarios, the speaker may show minor limitations that do not affect overall safety or effectiveness. The Extended Level is typically suitable for professionals who need a high level of English proficiency in aviation but may not require the full flexibility and ease of an Expert Level speaker.