Professional English Exams
OET for healthcare, ICAO for aviation, Maritime English for seafarers and TOEIC for the workplace: English tests built around your job.
Some professions need more than general English. Doctors and nurses, pilots and air traffic controllers, ship officers and international teams must communicate clearly and safely in their own working situations. These exams test exactly that.
The Exams at a Glance
Which exam belongs to which profession.
| Exam | Profession | What it tests | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| OET | Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals | Listening, reading, and writing and speaking in your own profession | Accepted by healthcare regulators in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other countries |
| ICAO Aviation English | Pilots and air traffic controllers | Speaking and listening in radio communication | Level 4 (Operational) is the minimum for international flights |
| Maritime English | Ship officers and crew | Communication on board, with ports and with other ships | Based on the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases |
| TOEIC | Office and business professionals | Workplace listening and reading; separate speaking and writing test | Used by employers for hiring and promotion |
Requirements differ by country and employer. Always check the official rules for your job.
Prepare for Your Exam
Each exam has its own guide, training plan and practice pages.
1OET – Healthcare English
The Occupational English Test is written for healthcare professionals. Listening and reading use healthcare situations for everyone; writing and speaking are specific to your profession, for example a referral letter or a role-play with a patient.
2ICAO Aviation English
The International Civil Aviation Organization sets English requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers on international routes. Tests rate you from Level 1 to Level 6 on pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interaction.
3Maritime English
English is the working language at sea. Officers and crew need it for bridge communication, safety drills, port operations and emergencies. Training is based on the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP).
4TOEIC – Workplace English
The Test of English for International Communication uses everyday work situations: meetings, emails, phone calls and announcements. Many international companies use it to compare candidates and to track employees' progress.
How to Choose the Right Exam
In most professions the choice is made for you. Find out what is required, then train for that format.
?Four Questions to Ask
- Requirement Does your regulator, licence authority or employer name a test?
- Level Which grade or level do you need, and for how long is it valid?
- Situations Which work situations will the test use: patients, radio calls, ship operations, meetings?
- Vocabulary Which specialist words and phrases must you use with confidence?
English for the job you do.
Learn the situations, phrases and vocabulary of your profession, and practise them in the format your exam uses.
Requirement. Level. Situations. Practice.
Questions? Get in touch