aviation english elizabeth mathews aviation english services emathews@aeservices.net

Aviation EnglishAviation English

Elizabeth MathewsAviation English Services

Emathews@aeservices.net

What next?What next?

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

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

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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Aviation English

“Uh, who’s ahead? Us or Ryan Air?”

“There is a dog on the runway”

“ATC, do you see

fire?”

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.”

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

Tests

Materials

Programs

Teacher Training Programs

Personnel

STANDARDTOEFLAcademia

100 hours

100 hours - 200 hours

100 hours - 400 hours

200 hours - 600 hours

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

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

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

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!