If a passenger has limited English proficiency, what is the recommended approach?

• A. Speak clearly, adapt explanations to needs, offer written or visual aids, and ensure safety procedures are understood.
• B. Speak loudly and slowly with no aids.
• C. Proceed without accommodations.
• D. Ask the passenger to bring a translator.

Answer: (A)

Clear, accessible communication is essential when a passenger has limited English proficiency. The best approach is to speak clearly using plain language, tailor explanations to the passenger’s needs, and supplement spoken briefings with written or visual aids to reinforce understanding. This helps ensure the passenger not only hears but comprehends safety procedures and knows how to act in an emergency. When possible, offer translated materials or use pictorial safety cards, and check comprehension by asking the passenger to restate the instructions or demonstrate the actions. The goal is understanding, not just delivering words. Simply speaking loudly and slowly without aids often fails to convey complex steps and can come across as ineffective. Proceeding without accommodations undermines safety, and asking the passenger to bring a translator is impractical in many situations.