ICAO ENGLISH FOR AVIATIONS

About Me

Natasha Kankaras

Since English has become a global language

– a language of international communication – learning it has become important for all in order to excel in any selected profession.

I work as a full-time professor of English language at the prestigious Faculty of Diplomacy and Security (http://www.diplomatija.com/) in Belgrade, Serbia. For many years I have been teaching a diverse array of classes to students of various learning backgrounds both at the undergraduate and postgraduate course level.

During the long-term lecturing career I dedicated a particular focus to specialization in the field of Aviation English.

What has the experience taught me about teaching Aviation English?

This experience has reinforced my learner-centered approach in that I purposefully want to be an effective communicator with a sharper focus on the extent to which learning program meets the learners’ needs. Many years of teaching experience in online courses and online instruction have provided me with the opportunity to apply all that knowledge to practice. Online instruction provides a greater temptation for both teachers and students and I developed a specific approach to maintain my focus and commitment equal to that of a face-to-face classroom. This extensive experience has grounded my confidence in teaching online Aviation English courses.

My Teaching Philosophy

My approach to teaching and learning is framed by Instructional Design model, the practice and the process of systematically designing and delivering instructional products and experiences, in a consistent and reliable fashion towards an efficient and effective acquisition of knowledge. The process is based on determining the state and needs of the learner, defining the final goal of instruction, and in the end assessing to what extent learners have developed mastery through an instructional program.

What is

Aviation English?

Aviation English is the international language of civil aviation. With the expansion of air travel in the 20th century, there were safety concerns about the ability of pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate. In 1951, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommended in ICAO Annex 10 to the International Chicago Convention that English be universally used for “international aeronautical radiotelephony communications.” Despite being a recommendation only, ICAO Aviation English was widely accepted.

Miscommunication has been an important factor in many aviation accidents. Examples include the Tenerife accident in 1977 (583 dead) or the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision (349 dead). THE deadliest accidents in aviation history were the tragic reason for a uniform language for all pilots and air traffic controllers, no matter their nationality.

The ICAO has acknowledged that “communications, or the lack thereof, has been shown by many accident investigations to play a significant role”. In 2003, the organization “released amendments to annexes of its Chicago Convention requiring aviation professionals involved in international operations to demonstrate a certain level of English language proficiency.”
Aviation English has been specifically designed to help pilots and air traffic controllers achieve and maintain operational level 4 as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The need of standardization has led to the creation of the Test of English for Aviation.

WHAT

IS THE ICAO ENGLISH FOR AVIATION TEST?

It is a test of plain English in an aviation context for licensing purposes – it is not a test of aviation phraseology.

In other words, it is a test of ability of pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate in English – not a test of operational knowledge.

It is designed as a face-to-face, human interaction test with the examiner who asks questions for detailed responses.

Pilots / AT controllers preparing for ICAO Level 4 or 5 will master the following skills:

Pronunciation

Structure

Vocabulary

Fluency

Comprehension

Interactions

Personal Statement

Highly capable professional English teacher with a focus on students’ learning needs. Enthusiastic, committed and effective, with a proven teaching record, providing positive learning experiences. Enjoys sharing knowledge. Experienced in leading, adept at training, motivating and developing others.

Strengths

Extensive teaching experience
An outgoing, active and dynamic personality and teaching style
Excellent public relations skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills
Experience and knowledge about teaching effectively to suit various learning styles

Summary of Skills

Outstanding English speaking and writing abilities
Superior instruction and creative skills
Experienced in making students comfortable
Ability to assess strength and weakness in students and plan lessons accordingly
High patience
Excellent time-management

Principles of Teaching

Constantly aspiring to higher levels of professionalism.
Following individual professional development patterns.
Always offering feedback.
Understanding how to teach adults.
Making Assignments Convenient.

TEA IS NOT

A TEST OF OPERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE!

ICAO ENGLISH examiners are familiar with aviation and are sometimes pilots or controllers. Nevertheless there are no extra marks to be gained from talking about correct operational procedures. ICAO ENGLISH tests plain English, not phraseology – the ICAO language standards have been introduced to improve communication when phraseology is insufficient.

TEA Test consists of 3 parts. We will look at each of parts these below.

PART 1 – INTERVIEW

You will be asked a series of questions related to your experience and role in aviation, and then to a specific aviation-related topic. There are no right or wrong answers – show you understand the questions by responding to them directly and fully. The examiner will ask you further questions.

PART 2 – SIMULATION

In Part 2A you will hear 6 recordings in which a pilot or controller is talking in a non-routine aviation situation. After each recording, you should show you understand the situation fully by reporting your answers to 2 questions: “what was the message?”, and “who do you think was speaking, a pilot or a controller?”. The examiner will ask you
to “report what you can”. You should show that you understood the situation by reporting it either in your own words or using the words in the recording. All the information in the situation is important. This includes stating what the message was and who was speaking (a pilot or controller).

In Part 2B you will hear 4 longer recordings in which a pilot or controller describes a problem, says what they need, and gives some extra details. The examiner will give you a pen for you to take notes on the Task Card. You need to report the message as fully as possible – the more details you can provide, the better. You should describe the problem, say what the speaker needs and give any extra details that you can.
You may hear each recording twice if necessary.

In Part 2C you will hear 3 short recordings in more general, non-routine situations. After each recording, you have 20 seconds to ask the speaker questions to find out more about the situation. Show you understand the situation by asking as many relevant questions as you can. The examiner will also ask you if you have any advice to give the speaker: again, show you understand the situation by giving some relevant advice.

PART 3 – PICTURE DESCRIPTION

You will be given 2 connected pictures to describe and compare. You will be shown the first picture and asked to describe it, and you will be given 30 seconds to speak. You will then be shown a second picture and asked some questions about it.
Finally you will be asked some questions about both pictures

PART 4 – DISCUSSION

You will take part in an interactive discussion of general aviation topics related to the pictures, and how aviation affects the world in general.
The examiner will discuss these topics with you to allow you to show your ability to give opinions, speculate about the future of aviation and explain and justify your ideas.

...

Who is TEA (Test of English for Aviation) for?

TEA is suitable for professional, private or student pilots (airplane or helicopter), professional or student controllers, FISOs and radio operators.

What kind of results are given?
The test performance is scored according to the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale.
Any aspect of previous experience or previous test scores cannot be considered as relevant. You will be given a score from 1 to 6 for your performance in Pronunciation, Structure, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension and Interactions.
The Overall Score (the ICAO Level) will be the lowest of these scores (which is a mandatory ICAO requirement). All of the scores are recorded on the certificate

What is

ICAO language proficiency level 4?

ICAO standards now demand that all pilots flying internationally and all air traffic controllers providing services to international flights must have a minimum level of English. This level of English is known as ICAO Operational Level 4.
THE ICAO DESCRIPTORS
ICAO has developed the criteria by which your English will be judged.
TEA candidates can score from Level 1 to Level 6. Candidates are awarded a score from 1 to 6 for each of the 6 skills: pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, interactions.
It is the LOWEST of these 6 marks which decides the overall score.

The language descriptors (developed by ICAO) can be found here:

*Click on image for more details

ICAO has developed the following “Holistic Descriptors”:

Interactions

TEA Test Preparation

Comprehension

TEA Test Preparation

Fluency

TEA Test Preparation

Vocabulary

TEA Test Preparation

Structure

TEA Test Preparation

Pronunciation

TEA Test Preparation

PREPARE FOR YOUR

ICAO ENGLISH TESTING VIA SKYPE

You can now prepare online (using Skype) for your ICAO ENGLISH test with an experienced Aviation English teacher. Those sessions could be designed to improve your English, according to your needs. However, their primary goal is to: prepare you for the format of the ICAO ENGLISH exam,give you the opportunity to practise the types of tasks you need to perform in the ICAO TEA exam as well as to give you written and spoken feedback on your performance and advice how you might improve your English generally, through further training. You will be taught English language communication skills for pilots and air traffic controllers.

If so agreed, you may be emailed preparation tasks which you will need to complete before each Skype session.

What are the technical requirements?

You will of course need a good internet connection. You will also need to have Skype installed and have a Skype user id. We will use a webcam if the internet connection is fast enough. The sessions take place after we arrange a mutually-convenient schedule of dates and times. Sessions will normally be conducted Monday to Sunday and will last 60 or 90 minutes.

Sessions are designed to meet the ICAO English Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR’s) for licensing purposes. Teaching solution will help students overcome non-routine communication challenges with confidence.

Take your TEA test preparation start date

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Contact

Get in Touch

For all further information I remain at your disposal. I will be glad to resolve your concerns and dilemmas as well as to provide you with valuable guidelines regarding the TEA Test.

Email lagrima19@gmail.com

natasa.kankaras@fdb.edu.rs

Viber / WhatsApp : +381655707057

Skype: larissalara9