🌍 ICAO doc 9835 specifically points out that “speakers whose speech patterns clearly identify them as non-native speakers (having a so-called ‘accent’) may demonstrate Expert Level 6️⃣ proficiency as long as this meets the criterion of ‘almost never’ interfering with ease of understanding”.
Indeed, in an international English context, some authentic native speaker pronunciation may in fact inhibit communication to such an extent that a level 6️⃣ may not be awarded in this category.
👋 Basic approach to pronunciation:
❓ Does pronunciation frequently interfere with understanding?
✅This may indicate a tendency towards a level 3️⃣ in this area.
❓ Does the first language influence sometimes interfere with understanding?
✅This may indicate a level 4️⃣ in this area.
❓ Does the first language rarely interfere with understanding?
✅This may indicate a level 5️⃣ in this area.
❓ Is there no interference with understanding despite influence of first language?
✅This may indicate a level 6️⃣ in this area.
