icao - eurocontrol regional language proficiency seminar

ICAO - EUROCONTROL Regional Language Proficiency Seminar


MEETING ICAO LANGUAGE MEETING ICAO LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY PROFICIENCY

REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTSAdrian ENRIGHTEUROCONTROL

ELPAC Project Leader


The complexity of European airspace demands effective communication between pilot and controller

28000 FLIGHTS PER DAY


Language is as much a tool for the controller as is radar …


ELPAC*ELPAC*

An English language proficiency test for operational air traffic controllers that meets the ICAO Standards for aeronautical communication

*English Language Proficiency *English Language Proficiency for Aeronautical for Aeronautical CommunicationCommunication


ELPAC TEST STRUCTUREELPAC TEST STRUCTURE

Two test papers:• Paper 1 – Listening

Comprehension• Paper 2 – Oral Interaction*• Assessment at ICAO levels 4 & 5

*Versions for tower, approach and en route controllers


• Internet based – paperless test

• High level of security• Assessing key listening skills• Items based on authentic

pilot & controller messages• Duration +/- 30 minutes

PAPER 1 – LISTENING PAPER 1 – LISTENING COMPREHENSIONCOMPREHENSION


The controller must respond appropriately to pilot messages

With acknowledgements to Martin Germans


PAPER 2 – ORAL PAPER 2 – ORAL INTERACTIONINTERACTION

• Simulated pilot/controller communication

• 3 Phases (non-visual & visual)• Assessment of language proficiency:

Routine & non-routine situationsSwitching between structured phrases

(RTF) and plain EnglishNegotiating an unexpected situation

• Duration about 20 minutes


ELPAC STAKEHOLDERSELPAC STAKEHOLDERS• Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs)• Regulators (NSAs, JAA, EASA)

• IFATCAIFATCA• IFALPA• European Commission• ICAEA• ICAO• Controller unions


Core team of ATC & English language experts from:

• Spain, Germany, France, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Eurocontrol

• Test design consultant from UK• Trialling of prototype November 2005• Software development by ENOVATE

ELPAC – TEST ELPAC – TEST DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT


ELPAC DEVELOPMENTELPAC DEVELOPMENT• 2005

– Definition of test requirements

– Design test format– Develop pilot version of test– Analyse pilot test


ELPAC DEVELOPMENTELPAC DEVELOPMENT• 2006

– 1st major trialling March– External validation of

test– Sample tests– 2nd major trialling


ELPAC DEVELOPMENTELPAC DEVELOPMENT

• 2007– Refinement of test– Production of guidance and

support materials– July: ELPAC available for

implementation


WHO DOES WHAT?WHO DOES WHAT?

• Eurocontrol - will develop a test (ELPAC)

• ANSPs – will be responsible for training and test administration

• NSAs – will ensure compliance with ICAO and EC requirements

• ? – will be responsible for further development


BENEFITS OF A TESTBENEFITS OF A TEST

• ANSPs fulfill requirements of Annex 11

• Regulators comply with Annex 1• Improved controller confidence• Contribution to aviation safety


Will proficiency in English help to save lives?


HOW CAN YOU HELP?HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Assist in trialling of the test • Advise on optimum process for

test administration• Provide valuable feedback during

the project• Help us develop the test that

meets your needs


A test for air traffic controllers in

English Language Proficiency for Aeronautical Communication

ELPACELPAC


Thank you for your Thank you for your attentionattention

Any Any questions?questions?

icao - eurocontrol regional language proficiency seminar

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