PRACTICE 01
A request on the ground
Transcript
- Pilot
Ground, Coastal fife two six. Request taxi. A baggage cart is stopped on the taxiway ahead of us.
FREE · 15 ITEMS · AUDIO + ANSWERS
ATC English: Controller Listening and Speaking Practice
Practise ATC English from the controller’s position: listen to pilots, respond to what you see and explain an unexpected situation.
BRIEFING
Make the message clear
ATC English starts with identifying who is calling, what the pilot needs and any limitation or uncertainty. Listen for those elements before selecting an answer. A request is not itself a clearance, and an unsure call sign or readback needs to be resolved rather than guessed.
Use standard phraseology when it fits; add clear plain English for a detail that the standard message does not convey. In a non-routine situation, separate what the pilot has reported from what you can confirm, then give a concise update and check the response. These are original training scenarios; actual clearances depend on the situation and local procedures.
- Listen for the call sign, problem and request.
- Use each picture to complete the controller message.
- Record your explanation and compare the skills in the models.
PRACTICE
Work through the exercise
0 done
PRACTICE 02
A descent the pilot cannot accept
Transcript
- Pilot
Control, Nordair tree eight fife, unable to accept descent now due to turbulence. Request to maintain flight level one eight zero.
PRACTICE 03
An uncertain instruction
Transcript
- Pilot
Approach, Lakeair six one niner, we read back heading two seven zero, but we are not sure the instruction was for us. Please confirm the call sign.
PRACTICE 04
An unusual cabin report
Transcript
- Pilot
Approach, Fastair fower zero two. Cabin crew report smoke near the rear galley. We need to return to the airport and request landing priority.
PRACTICE 05
Build the controller message
Use the image where shown. Type the requested words only.
PRACTICE 06
Explain a runway delay
The examiner asks
Describe the picture. Give the pilot an update and explain what you would check before another instruction.
Your turn · speak for up to 60 seconds
1:00
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
I can see an aircraft waiting near the runway. A vehicle is on the runway, and the controller is watching it. I would tell the pilot that an inspection vehicle is on the runway and ask the pilot to hold position. Then I would check with the vehicle driver and wait until the runway is clear before giving another instruction. There can be some delay.
Notes for Level 4
- Pronunciation
- Listen for the contrast between “runway” and “vehicle”.
- Structure
- Short present sentences lead to a simple future plan.
- Vocabulary
- “Inspection vehicle” and “hold position” name the situation and action.
- Fluency
- The response follows a clear observation, message and check.
- Comprehension
- It answers both parts of the prompt.
- Interactions
- It gives an update and checks the vehicle’s position.
The aircraft is waiting at the holding position while an inspection vehicle is on the runway. I would tell the pilot why the aircraft is being held and, if available, give an update on the expected delay. Before issuing another instruction, I would confirm the vehicle has vacated and that the runway is available. I would also listen to the pilot’s readback so that any misunderstanding is corrected promptly.
Notes for Level 5
- Pronunciation
- Listen for distinct stresses in “inspection vehicle” and “available”.
- Structure
- A while clause and a before clause make the sequence explicit.
- Vocabulary
- “Vacated”, “holding position” and “readback” are precise.
- Fluency
- The cause, update and follow-up are connected.
- Comprehension
- The answer addresses the scene and the checks requested.
- Interactions
- It gives an update and monitors the readback.
The picture shows an aircraft held short while an inspection vehicle occupies the runway. I would give the crew a concise reason for the delay and pass on an estimate only if I had a reliable one. The vehicle’s departure cannot simply be assumed: I would confirm it is clear and establish that the runway is available before issuing a further instruction. If the pilot’s readback left any doubt, I would resolve it immediately and keep the crew informed as the situation develops.
Notes for Level 6
- Pronunciation
- Listen for emphasis on “confirm” and “clear”.
- Structure
- Varied clauses distinguish an observation, a condition and a future action.
- Vocabulary
- “Occupies”, “vacated” and “reliable estimate” express the operational distinction.
- Fluency
- The response develops the situation without repeating the prompt.
- Comprehension
- It answers the picture, update and verification parts.
- Interactions
- It explicitly resolves uncertainty and keeps the crew informed.
PRACTICE 07
Repair a readback
The examiner asks
A pilot reads back a different heading from the one you issued. How would you resolve the misunderstanding?
Your turn · speak for up to 60 seconds
1:00
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
The pilot has read back a different heading, so I would not leave it like that. I would call the pilot by the call sign and say the correct heading again. Then I would listen to the new readback. If it is still not clear, I would ask the pilot to repeat it once more. I want to be sure we have the same instruction.
Notes for Level 4
- Pronunciation
- Listen for “heading” and the call sign being spoken distinctly.
- Structure
- Simple clauses show the problem and the next steps.
- Vocabulary
- “Readback” and “heading” identify the misunderstanding.
- Fluency
- The order is easy to follow, with some repetition.
- Comprehension
- The answer recognises the heading mismatch.
- Interactions
- It repeats the instruction and listens for confirmation.
First I would address the aircraft by its full call sign and correct the heading explicitly. I would repeat the intended heading at a measured pace, then listen carefully to the complete readback. If the pilot repeated the wrong value or the transmission was unclear, I would clarify again rather than assume the correction had been understood. I would also take the current traffic situation into account when deciding the next instruction.
Notes for Level 5
- Pronunciation
- Listen for clear separation of “wrong value” and “correct heading”.
- Structure
- A conditional explains what happens if uncertainty remains.
- Vocabulary
- “Intended heading”, “readback” and “transmission” are specific.
- Fluency
- Sequence markers connect correction, confirmation and follow-up.
- Comprehension
- The response addresses an incorrect heading, not a missing call.
- Interactions
- It requires a fresh readback and resolves remaining doubt.
I would intervene as soon as I heard the discrepancy, identify the aircraft and state the intended heading again without leaving the incorrect value open to interpretation. Then I would listen for an unambiguous readback. If there were still a mismatch, I would slow the exchange down and clarify it, while taking the traffic picture into account. The aim is a shared understanding of the instruction, not merely a repeated transmission.
Notes for Level 6
- Pronunciation
- Listen for measured emphasis on “intended” and “unambiguous”.
- Structure
- The conditional and final contrast support a nuanced explanation.
- Vocabulary
- “Discrepancy” and “traffic picture” fit the controller context.
- Fluency
- The answer moves from intervention to verification smoothly.
- Comprehension
- It identifies both the mismatch and the operational context.
- Interactions
- It continues the exchange until the meaning is clear.
Check your answers and compare your speaking with the model, then see your practice debrief.
DEBRIEF
Your practice debrief
KEEP PRACTISING
More free ICAO English exercises
FAQ
Common questions
What does ATC English practice include?
This page practises listening to pilot calls, typing concise controller messages and explaining a non-routine situation aloud. The material is original practice, not a real test item.
Do air traffic controllers need ICAO English?
ICAO language proficiency requirements apply to air traffic controllers who use radiotelephony. Check the requirements and approved tests with your licensing authority.
How should a controller respond to an unclear call sign?
Ask the station to repeat or confirm the call sign. Do not assume which aircraft called; listen to the clarification before continuing.
Is phraseology alone enough for an ICAO language assessment?
No. Language proficiency tests assess plain language in an operational context as well as speaking and listening skills. Test formats vary by provider.
How should I use the model answers?
Record your own response first. Compare its organisation and wording with the illustrative models; the models do not determine your assessed level.
