Writing clearly: radio English

English Age group: KS3: standard English and clarity

Pilots and controllers use a tiny, strict language so nothing is misunderstood on a noisy radio. What can we learn from it about clear writing?

Before you start

Read or play with these Learn topics first.

Choose an airport

Latest weather report (explained in "How do you read an airport weather report?")

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________

Use the live board for this worksheet.

Pilots say "niner" for 9 and "affirm" for yes. Why do they avoid ordinary words in these cases?
Rewrite this message so it cannot be misunderstood: "Go ahead and take the next one, if you like."
Why does the radio use set phrases and a fixed order (who you are, where you are, what you want)?
Write your own set of three instructions for a busy school corridor, using the same rules.

Ten questions on this lesson. Pupils open the link on any device. Nothing is stored about them.

Teacher notes and answers

Suggested answers. Many will vary with the live data, so check units and working. The curriculum links are a guide only.

Ordinary words can sound like other words on a noisy, crackly radio. Special words are harder to mix up, so there is less chance of a mistake.
Something like "Take the next exit." Good answers give one instruction, name what to do and remove hedging words such as "if you like".
The listener knows what to expect and where to listen for each piece of information, so important details are not missed. It also keeps messages short.
Answers will vary. Look for short sentences, one instruction each, and no vague words.