A Call for Rigorous Language Proficiency Standards in Aviation

⚠ I have observed an increasing number of pilots in the field having ICAO Level 6 English proficiency scores. This trend raises significant concerns, given that ICAO’s framework primarily assesses language proficiency within the scope of Levels 3 to 5. The attainment of Level 6 is intended to signify an exceptional and near-native command of the language, which should be measured through a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process.

➡ ICAO itself indicates that a formal evaluation of Level 6 should involve an exhaustive assessment procedure, encompassing a wide range of tasks and contexts that extend well beyond the specific domain of radiotelephony communications. Such a procedure requires a level of depth and rigor that currently exceeds the scope of standard ICAO assessments. This brings into question the validity of certain testing practices.

➡ Considering these requirements, it is suprising to see some test centers consistently awarding Level 6 scores, particularly when these exams are so-called to be exclusive and challenging. This raises a critical question: How are so many candidates achieving Level 6, despite the inherent difficulty and exclusivity of such evaluations?

🔎 It is imperative that we examine these practices and ensure that the integrity of ICAO language proficiency assessments is upheld. The credibility of our industry depends on maintaining the highest standards, and the indiscriminate awarding of Level 6 scores undermines this objective.