Live online lessons
Aviation English for student pilots and pilots
Prepare for the ICAO ELP assessment, and prepare your English to follow an EASA PPL or ATPL course, integrated or modular, and to succeed in its exams.
ICAO language proficiency scale
- 1Pre-elementary
- 2Elementary
- 3Pre-operational
- 4Operational
- 5Extended
- 6Expert
Level 4 is the operational minimum for pilots and controllers.
Why it matters
English decides how much of your knowledge reaches the exam
A pilot course is not only a course in flying. It is also a course in English: the lessons, the manuals, the exam questions, the briefings and the radio all rely on it.
For student pilots whose first language is not English, this is often the hidden difficulty. You can understand a subject in your own language and still lose marks when you misread an exam question, miss a negative such as except or not, or cannot keep up with the pace of a lesson. The same applies to the first flights, when you have to follow instructions and read back on the radio while handling the aircraft.
Stronger aviation English does not replace knowledge, but it protects it. It lets you spend your study time on the subjects instead of the language, and it makes the instructors, the exams and the radio easier to follow.
Two ways we can help
Choose what you need
English for your EASA PPL / ATPL course
Before or during an integrated or modular course: technical vocabulary, the language of exam questions, reading manuals and regulations, and understanding fast spoken English in lessons and briefings.
ICAO ELP assessment preparation
Speaking and listening practice built around the six ICAO rating criteria, with radiotelephony and plain-English scenarios, mock assessments and feedback per criterion.
ICAO ELP assessment
Six criteria, one final level
Your overall level is the lowest of the six criteria. A strong vocabulary will not compensate for weak fluency, so we work on all six, whether you are aiming for Level 4, renewing, or going for Level 5 or 6.
01
Pronunciation
02
Structure
03
Vocabulary
04
Fluency
05
Comprehension
06
Interactions
What we work on
- Technical vocabulary. The language of systems, meteorology, navigation, performance and air law, with examples from real study material.
- Exam question language. How questions are built, how to find what is really being asked, negatives, similar-looking options and command words.
- Reading speed and accuracy. Working through manuals, regulations and charts in English without losing the meaning.
- Listening. Following fast spoken English in lessons, briefings and radio exchanges.
- Speaking and radiotelephony. Standard phraseology and plain English for clear, confident communication.
- ICAO ELP. Pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interactions, with mock assessments.
How it works
- Tell us what you need. Choose your goal in the form and describe your course, current English and timeline.
- Free introductory lesson. A 30-minute trial lesson to meet your instructor and agree a plan.
- Practice. Online sessions with aviation texts, exam-style questions and radio scenarios.
- Review. Regular feedback so you can see progress and adjust the plan.
Online lessons
- €30 per hour, the same for every subject.
- A free 30-minute introductory lesson to meet your instructor and plan the lessons.
- Live on Zoom with experienced Theoretical Knowledge Instructors and pilots.
Good to know
- Sessions fit around rosters, work and study.
- Suitable for aeroplane and helicopter students and pilots.
- Complements the course of your flight school or approved training organisation.
- We prepare you, but exam results and ICAO levels are decided by the examining authority or the approved assessment body.
Read first
Articles on ICAO English and pilot communication
Frequently asked questions
Do I need good English before starting a PPL or ATPL course?
You do not need to be fluent, but the stronger your aviation English, the easier it is to follow lessons, read manuals and understand exam questions. Preparing before the course starts, or alongside it, lets you spend your study time on the subjects rather than on the language.
Is this the same as ICAO ELP preparation?
They overlap but have different goals, and we offer both. English for your PPL/ATPL course prepares you to study and communicate as a pilot. ICAO ELP preparation targets the official language proficiency assessment and its six rating criteria. You choose which one you need in the booking form.
How much do the lessons cost and how are they held?
Lessons are live on Zoom with experienced instructors, at €30 per hour. A free 30-minute introductory lesson is included.
Is it only for non-native English speakers?
It is designed for them, but native speakers also benefit from the precise wording of aviation texts, exam questions and radio phraseology.
Is it useful for integrated and modular students?
Yes. Integrated students often start an intensive full-time course in a second language, and modular students have to study theory while working. In both cases English preparation reduces the load.
Does this guarantee that I will pass my exams or reach an ICAO level?
No. It supports your study and communication skills. Exam results and ICAO levels are decided by the examining authority or the approved assessment body.
Who is behind Digital Aviator
Written by the Digital Aviator team: experienced professional pilots, EASA ATPL theoretical knowledge instructors and ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) instructors. We fly, teach and prepare pilots for their exams and assessments.
About the team →