Interpretation of the EALT test scores

The interpretation of a candidate’s results in the EALT should be considered within the context of the ICAO 2008 Language Proficiency Requirements, (ICAO Assembly Resolutions A32-16 and A36-11), the Implementation Plan, if any, filed with ICAO by the ICAO Member State by which the candidate is licensed and, where appropriate, Directive 2006/23/EC of the European Union.

ICAO has prescribed the minimum operational language proficiency requirements of flight crew and air traffic controllers. An EALT result will clearly demonstrate a candidate’s attainment, or otherwise, of this required minimum. However, additionally the result, both as an Overall Rating and with reference to the six discrete features of language may also be interpreted as a demonstration of the candidate’s language proficiency strengths and weaknesses and become a valuable aid in determining where individual or organisational language training resources may be best placed.

From a human resource perspective, a candidate’s EALT result might also be considered in the context of a number of wider factors, including professional qualifications and operational experience, age and motivation, educational and cultural background, first language and language learning history. 1


1 ICAO offers the following further guidance in the broader interpretation of a language proficiency test result in the context of overall language proficiency:
(An) important point which bears emphasizing is that any test will contain a measure of error — no single test can ever provide a perfectly accurate representation of a person's language abilities. Therefore, the best testing practice will be, whenever possible, to use multiple measures or assessments of an individual's language proficiency, i.e. considering scores on a standardized test along with other evidence of language proficiency: for example, instructor assessments, classroom performance, and on-the-job evaluation. Additional factors that can contribute to a fair assessment include documented time in English educational or work environments and interviews. (ICAO Doc 9835 Ch.6 Aviation Language Testing 6.6.2)