Test of English for Aviation 
  Guide for: 
      Test-takers & Teachers 
        Guide                                                                                    Test of English for Aviation 
                 What is the TEA test? 
                  
                      TEA is a test of your ability to communicate in English – it is not a test of your 
                       operational knowledge. 
                      TEA is a test of plain English in an aviation context – it is not a test of aviation 
                       phraseology 
                      TEA is a face-to-face interview with one examiner lasting about 20—25 minutes 
                       and consisting of 3 sections. 
                  
                 The TEA test does NOT include: 
                      any writing 
                      any reading 
                      any need to type or use a computer. 
                  
                 Not a test of operational knowledge  
                 TEA examiners are familiar with aviation and are sometimes pilots or controllers. 
                 Nevertheless there are no extra marks to be gained from talking about correct 
                 operational procedures. Equally, nothing is lost by not knowing about a particular 
                 area of operations. 
                 TEA tests plain English, not phraseology – the ICAO language standards have been 
                 introduced to improve communication when phraseology is insufficient. 
                 The ICAO Descriptors 
                 ICAO has developed the criteria by which your English will be judged. The full 
                 descriptors can be viewed here:  
                 TEA candidates can score from Level 1 to Level 6 but most candidates score Level 3, 
                 4 or 5. A simplified version of Levels 2—5 is on the next page.
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    Guide                                       Test of English for Aviation 
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      Guide                                                              Test of English for Aviation 
             Candidates are awarded a score from 1 to 6 for each of the 6 skills: pronunciation, 
             structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, interactions. 
             It is the LOWEST of these 6 marks which decides the overall score. 
             Examples: 
             Listen to some pilots and controllers in the first part of the TEA test. Using the 
             descriptors on Page 3 think about which level the candidate should be awarded in 
             the following areas (the answers are provided at the bottom of page 9): 
                       
                                  Candidate 1     Candidate 2     Candidate 3     Candidate 4 
                       
                                  Candidate 1        Candidate 2       Candidate 3       Candidate 4      
             Pronunciation                                                                      
             Vocabulary                                                                                   
             Structure                                                                                    
             Fluency                                                                                      
             TEA - Part 1 
             In this part of the test you will be asked a series of set, simple questions relating to 
             your aviation background. There are no right or wrong answers – you should show 
             you understand the questions by talking about your role in aviation. 
             Listen to this TEA candidate answering questions on Part 1. Think how you would 
             have answered these same questions: 
             Questions 
             1.  Could you tell me about your job? Click here 
             2.  Can you describe what you do at work? Click here                  
             3.  Is a pilot’s job important? Click here            
             4.  What’s the difference between a pilot’s role today, compared with the past? 
                 Click here          
             5.  How much training is necessary to be a pilot? Click here                 
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