If you want to put your English language skills to the test, try out our practice test. This is included with your Astro Perform membership.

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Why do we need to know English?

The official working language of the International Space Station is English. This includes all the procedures, including emergency procedures, where your role in that situation may be crucial for your own survival or that of the other crewmembers. The procedures may also include detail about science experiments that may be missed if you have poor technical English, compromising the integrity of the research. Astronaut training will typically occur with either NASA or ESA, where English is the primary language used, or with ROSCOSMOS, where training will occur in Russia with a combination of English and Russian. Only Chinese is spoken on the Chinese Space Station, Tiangong space station, and Chinese is spoken / written during the selection and training process.

Astronauts and cosmonauts from Japan and Russian (JAXA and ROSCOSMOS) are required to be fluent in English. Astronaut applicants from Canada (Canadian Space Agency) are required to speak fluent English or French (with both considered assets).

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What standard of English is required?

The following provides an outline of the English requirements from each space agency. It’s important to emphasize that you should not prepare for the specific test, but genuinely develop your written, spoken, and reading English language skills. It is also important to note that there is a difference between English (UK) language, and English (US) language, where the spelling and often key phrases are different.

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China: China National Space Administration (CNSA)

No requirement.

United States of America (USA): National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

No formal test for English language. However, applicants apply through USAJobs (the recruitment site for federal employees), where they are required to complete a 20-minute essay. Second, all evaluations in the selection process are conducted in English.

Japan: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Series of written tests to determine English language ability.

Countries that are ESA Member States and Associate Members: European Space Agency (ESA)

A minimum of English Common European Framework of reference (CEFR) level C1. According to this framework, individuals can give a clear, well-structured presentation of a complex subject.

Canada: Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

No formal test. Applicants are required to speak fluent English or French (with both considered assets). Astronaut selection is conducted in English, and therefore a high level is required in order to pass complex tasks, quickly, and under pressure with team members.

Russia: ROSCOSMOS

Native and foreign language is assessed. This includes grammar and mindset, essay (on a space theme), and check the fluency of your speech.

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What are the best tests to use?

As a member of Astro Prepare, you can access practice tests that include English (US) language. This includes grammar (demonstrate an understanding of how words fit into sentences), synonyms (words that have the same meaning as another word), and idioms (a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase). This test is designed to understand your ability to work in an environment with Americans, where much of the conversation will be colloquial, that is, normal or familiar to locals but difficult to understand if you learn English formally.

If you would like to assess your English language ability, links to the following providers are recommended, including a summary of the scoring system used:

The International English Language Testing System

  • Advanced: 6.5-7.5
  • Upper Intermediate: 5.0-6.0
  • Proficient: 8.0-9.0

Education testing service - TOEIC

  • Advanced: 490-495
  • Upper Intermediate: 400-485

Education testing service- TOEFL

  • Advanced: 95-120
  • Upper Intermediate: 72-94

Cambridge English (there are several exams at different levels)

  • Advanced: CAE Pass
  • Upper Intermediate: FCE pass
  • Proficient: CPE pass

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)

  • Advanced: Advanced High
  • Upper Intermediate: Advanced Mid
  • Proficient: Superior