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Page 1: Aviation English

Aviation EnglishAviation English

Elizabeth MathewsAviation English Services

[email protected]

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What next?What next?

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SOME BASIC ISSUESSOME BASIC ISSUES

• Aviation English testing: what is required?

• Aviation English training: How much?

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Language Proficiency Language Proficiency TestingTesting

• Misleading to speak about ‘a test.’ • Testing services are required• Capability to constantly develop new test

prompts• Able to maintain high level of security in

administration, record keeping, scoring

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High Stakes TestingHigh Stakes Testing

CareersCareers

SafetySafety

Economics

Airline industry health

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Stakes are highStakes are high

• ‘too hard’-- a threat to airline economic health and pilot career

• ‘too easy’-- a threat to airline safety standards

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Aviation-SpecificAviation-Specific TestingTesting

• Existing general English tests not appropriate

•Not aviation specific•Not proficiency tests

• Proficiency testing•Actual speaking performance•Not pen and paper tests

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Test developmentTest development

Needs analysis

• Specifications

• Item writing• Operational experts• Language testing specialists

• Trialing

• Analysis

• Construction

• Standard setting

• Guidance material

• Rater training and retraining• Quality control• Adminstrative

• Administering test• Test security• Record keeping

• On going test item development, including trials

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ICA

O P

hras

eolo

gy

Rad

iote

leph

ony

Com

mun

icat

ion

Aviation English

“Uh, who’s ahead? Us or Ryan Air?”

“There is a dog on the runway”

“ATC, do you see

fire?”

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Aviation English TrainingAviation English Training

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There is no magic bullet

“Speak like a diplomat in thirty days.”

“Learn English while you sleep.”

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How long to Level 4?How long to Level 4?

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Learner VariablesLearner Variables

• Starting point• Time• Learner style• Motivation• Personality• Environment

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Aviation English Training Aviation English Training

How long to Level 4?

200 hours for measurable improvement• Immersion environments• Intensive learning• Teacher-led• Academic programs• Reading; writing, grammar, listening/speaking

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Canadian Civil ServiceCanadian Civil Service

“True beginner” (ICAO Level 1)

To

Canadian Civil Service Level 3 (can describe process but not explain process.

1300 Hours

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Aviation English TrainingAviation English Training

100 hours @ DLI Level 1++ Level 2• Defense Language Institute, USA• Immersion• Intensive• Teacher led• Speaking/Listening Only• Aviation specific

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Aviation English training: Aviation English training: Best PracticeBest Practice

• Teacher-led• Immersion • Intensive• TESL qualified teacher/material developer• Communicative, interactive• Learner-centered• Aviation-specific

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Tests

Materials

Programs

Teacher Training Programs

Personnel

STANDARDTOEFLAcademia

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100 hours

100 hours - 200 hours

100 hours - 400 hours

200 hours - 600 hours

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ThreatsThreats

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…”If you are a native speaker and can fog a mirror, then you can teach English abroad.”

Recruiter for English teachers

Quoted in Time Magazine,

June 30, 2003

Threats and Challenges to effective language TEACHING

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Threats and challenges in Threats and challenges in language testinglanguage testing

• High stakes: careers versus safety• Requires specialized knowledge, beyond language teacher

knowledge-base• Users usually lack awareness of professional requirements

• Test development is expensive• 2008 Deadline creates urgency

• Large testing and training market• Language testing is unregulated

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Threats and challenges to Threats and challenges to language traininglanguage training

• Perception that English teaching easy• Effective and efficient Aviation English training requires

specialized knowledge

• Much training required• Pilots and controllers cannot come off line easily• Not much aviation-specific English materials currently

available.

• Unregulated industry

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Role of General EnglishRole of General English

•Basic Levels

•Until Aviation-specific material more available

•Why aviation English at low levels/

•Interest•Motivation•Relevance

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Practical suggestionsPractical suggestions

• Document 9835

• TESL input especially for test DEVELOPMENT and curriculum development

• Start early. Stay the course.

• Believe it is possible!