..1)
What is ICAO English?
Between 1976 and 2000, more than 1100 passengers and crewmembers lost
their lives in airline accidents in which investigators determined
that air traffic control communications had played a contributory role.
(Source: ICAO journal)
In
order to improve air transport safety, the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) introduced an English language proficiency
standard in March of 2003. These standards outline the minimum level
of English language proficiency required by pilots and air traffic
control officers (ATCOs) involved in international operations. By
March 2008, all flight crews and air traffic controllers must have
a certain
level of English language proficiency. This deadline has been relaxed
and, under certain conditions, extended through March 2011 – and
there are requirements for recertification every three years for
those meeting
the minimum standards.
Pilots and ATCOs need reach an ICAO level 4 in the following categories:
Pronunciation, Structure, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension and Interactions.
These requirements are per the ICAO standards.
..2) What is ICAO Level?
The
ICAO Level 4 is mapped to our proficiency Level 6 in
terms of fluency. Due to the ICAO requirements,
it is essential that students reach ICAO 4, and having them complete
our Level 8 should give them the fluency of BE 6-7 and grammar of
7-8, which is equivalent to ICAO 4. Generally, we can suggest the
following
correlations:
Our
BE level : ICAO level
1-2 : 1
3-4 : 2
5-6 : 3
7-8 : 4
..3)
Whatt is the Aviation English Solution?
IATA
and we
have developed a complete solution so that Pilots
(i.e., the flight crew) and ATCOs around the world can meet
ICAO’s new English language proficiency standards by 2008 (which
was extended to March 2011). The solution consists of two services:
1) Assessment
Service – This service enables airlines and other aviation organizations
to assess their Pilots’ and ATCOs’ level of English language
proficiency in an aviation context. Candidates call into a testing center
to take part in an oral evaluation of up to 20 minutes.
2)
Language Training - Once the assessment has been completed and
candidates have been placed at the appropriate our BE Level,
Aviation English training
is delivered (either face-to-face in our LCs (or on the
client’s premises) or via the BVC. At our BE Levels 1-4,
our standard BE curriculum
will be used. For levels 5-8, our BE Essentials plus the
Aviation Specialization will be used.
..4) What is the Aviation English Specialization?
A 72-unit BE-style Specialization
Course
components: Student Book, Instructor Manual, 2 Audio CDs
Course
structure: 12 Chapters of 6 units each; each chapter
is devoted to an aviation-specific topic. Course
Content/Topics:
1)
Geography
2) Weather conditions
3) Aircraft Maintenance
4) Cargo and Dangerous Goods
5) Flight Planning
6) Review Chapter
7) Take-off and Climb
8) En Route and Position Reports
9) In-flight Safety and Security
10) First Aid and Medical Assistance
11) Descent and Landing
12) Review Chapter
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