Photo of the Canadair CRJ900 simulator at Lufthansa Flight Training CST

ICAO English Language Testing

ICAO LPR English Testing For Levels 5 & 6

Lufthansa Flight Training-CST is a Language Testing Organization certified by the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (certification number D-LTO-013). We regularly conduct ICAO Level 5 and Level 6 tests.

Level 5 Test

The Level 5 test (Extended Level) is for candidates with advanced English skills.

The session will be conducted as follows:

  1. The examiner will explain the testing procedure to the candidates.

  2. The language test consists of a listening comprehension test and a conversation in English in order to check the oral fluency of the candidate.

    First, an approximately 20-minute audio file will be played and used as the basis for the listening comprehension test for all candidates. This file contains 12 sections that are used in a multiple choice test. Each section is played only once.

    Second, the examiner conducts a ten-minute conversation in English with each candidate in which standardized questions about aviation and work-related situations are asked.The examiner will debrief each candidate and inform him or her of the test result, giving recommendations where necessary. A test protocol and a certificate compliant with §22 LuftVZO will be issued. The certificate will document the achieved level, which may be lower than the attempted level.

  3. The following table describes the proficiency level required in order to attain Level 5 certification.

ICAO LEVEL 5: Extended

PRONUNCIATION

Assumes a dialect and/or accent intelligible to the aeronautical community.

Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation, though influenced by the first language regional variation, rarely interfere with ease of understanding.

STRUCTURE

Relevant grammatical structures and sentence patterns are determined by language functions appropriate to the task.

 Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled. Complex structures are attempted but with errors which sometimes interfere with meaning.

VOCABULARY

 Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete, and work related topics. Paraphrases consistently and successfully. Vocabulary is sometimes idiomatic.

FLUENCY

 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

 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.

INTERACTIONS

 Responses are immediate, appropriate, and informative. Manages the speaker/ listener relationship effectively.
Level 6 Test

The Level 6 test (Expert Level) is for candidates with expert-level English skills.

The session will be conducted as follows:

  1. The examiner will explain the testing procedure to the candidates. The Level 6 test consists of a combination review of language knowledge and listening ability

  2. The test itself consists of three parts: Establishing of oral interaction (8-10 minutes): The candidate will be asked to read text out loud and to summarize its content. The content of the text is aviation related and is used by the candidate as the foundation for a 3-4 minute presentation, report or description. The candidate will then answer questions for 8-10 minutes. Listening and speaking (approx.. 10 minutes): The candidate will be asked to express his or her opinion about an aviation related topic. First, the candidate will hear an audio file approximately four minutes in length. The candidate must then compare his or her opinion with that of the speaker in the audio file, highlighting similarities and differences. Interactive speaking (approx... 5 minutes): The candidate listens to various claims about which he or she is expected to comment and discuss with the examiner.

  3. The examiner will debrief each candidate and inform him or her of the test result, giving recommendations where necessary. A test protocol and a certificate compliant with §22 LuftVZO will be issued. The certificate will document the achieved level, which may be lower than the attempted level.

    4. The following table describes the proficiency level required in order to attain Level 6 certification.

The following table describes the proficiency level required in order to attain Level 6 certification.

ICAO LEVEL 6: Extended  
PRONUNCIATION
Assumes a dialect and/or accent intelligible to the aeronautical community. 		Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation, though possibly influenced by the first language or regional variation, almost never interfere with ease of understanding.
STRUCTURE
Relevant grammatical structures and sentence patterns are determined by language functions appropriate to the task.		 Both basic and complex grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled.
VOCABULARY 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.
FLUENCY 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 Comprehension is consistently accurate in nearly all contexts and includes comprehension of linguistic and cultural subtitles
INTERACTIONS Interacts with ease in nearly all situations. Is sensitive to verbal and non-verbal cues and responds to them appropriately.