Assisting CAAs and test developers improve ICAO LPR testing standards

• Are there concerns that the tests used in your region are not of the same standard?
• Are there difficulties in selecting, developing and monitoring the quality of tests?
• What can be done to improve standardisation, equivalence and confidence in different tests?

ICAO LPR Test Design Guidelines

Workshops: ‘Using the Test Design Guidelines’

ICAO LPR Test Design Guidelines

A number of features are critical to the overall effectiveness, validity and fairness of an ICAO LPR test. ICAEA’s Test Design Guidelines examine these areas in detail, and, how each plays a vital role in how well a test aligns with the objectives of the LPRs and best practices in specific-purpose language assessment.

Workshops: ‘Using the Test Design Guidelines’

ICAEA is scheduling a series of events for licensing authority personnel and test developers, to introduce and provide practical help how to apply the Test Design Guidelines. Each 2.5-day workshop will examine the contents of the Guidelines in detail, look at case studies and provide opportunities for participants to share experiences.

Workshop: ICAEA Daytona Beach 2018

Workshop: ICAEA Dubrovnik 2017

Building on the ICAO LPRs – Communication as a Human Factor

New Perspectives on Aviation English Training and Testing

This conference explored issues beyond the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements (LPRs) including:

•  incorporating communication strategies into best practices for training and testing,

•  the effect of language and culture on communication as a human factor,

•  considerations for future policy developments in language and communication.

hosted by

ICAEA’s 2018 Conference was hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at its campus in Daytona Beach, Florida. This year’s event included Plenary Presentations, Q&A Panels, interactive Panel Presentations, practical Workshops, more informal Poster Sessions.

More than 120 people from 35+ countries attended the 2018 Conference, including representatives from airlines, FTOs, ANSPs, CAAs, universities, and training and testing providers.

ICAEA would like to sincerely thank ERAU for its generous support of the event – and all the presenters and attendees for sharing their expertise and experience as our field enters a new phase of development.

The ANAC-ICEA Commemorative Symposium: 10 years of Aviation English Proficiency Requirements in Brazil was held at the Airspace Control Institute (ICEA), São José dos Campos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) on 27-28 September 2017.

The event was organised in partnership by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), responsible for assessing Brazilian pilots, and ICEA, which conducts training and assessment for Brazilian air traffic controllers. There were 130 participants, including ANAC and ICEA staff, language proficiency examiners, air traffic controllers, pilots, aviation English teachers, airline managers and directors, and administrative personnel from other accredited entities and associations.

Attendees at ANAC-ICEA Commemorative Symposium

During the event, the 4th Aviation English Studies Group Seminar (GEIA) was also held, which included presentations on Aviation English from an academic perspective – such as the development of a glossary for radiotelephony communications, and reflections on pronunciation activities in aviation English textbooks, particularly focuisng on the needs of speakers of Brazilian Portuguese. Also included in the GEIA programme, were three interactive workshops delivered at the ICAEA International Workshop in Dubrovnik, Croatia (April, 2017).

Attendees at the Symposium were also able to visit facilities at ICEA such as the simulation labs and 3D Tower, and learn more about how air traffic controllers are trained.

Dr. Patricia Tosqui-Lucks and Angela Garcia
ICAEA Research Group Members

READ  more at the ANAC website

READ  more at the ICEA website

Subsequent to the draft document and invitation for comments in early 2017, the FAA has published Advisory Circular AC 60-28B. The document provides guidance on the FAA’s Aviation English Language Standards (AELS) that apply to personnel holding or training for an FAA certificate.

from the Management Summary of AC 60-28B – FAA English Language Standard for an FAA Certificate Issued Under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107 – June 2017

READ
the complete document at FAA website

The ICAO LPRs – 10 years on:  Progress or Pain?

An exploration of what has and hasn’t worked since the introduction of the ICAO LPRs

ICAEA held a highly successful 2-day workshop in Dubrovnik, organised in collaboration with Croatia Control Ltd – Croatia’s ANSP. With delegates from over 35 countries, this was our most well-attended recent event.

More than a decade after the ICAO LPRs were announced in 2005, most international pilots and controllers have now been through at least two testing cycles. In this workshop, we reviewed how different approaches to LPR testing have affected:

▶  language training and the effectiveness of teaching and learning,

▶  regulators’, airlines’ and ANSPs’ perceptions of English language proficiency and its effect on safety,

▶  individuals’ attitudes towards the use of English in their jobs,

▶  the effect of the LPRs on air-ground communications.

Based on feedback from our Workshop in the Azores in 2016, this event included Presentations and interactive Workshops led by expert guest speakers, Q&A Panels for follow-up discussion, and networking and social opportunities.

Our thanks

ICAEA would like to express its sincere thanks to Croatia Control Ltd for their generosity in hosting the event, all the presenters and workshop leaders for opening up a range of thought-provoking topics, and of course, all the attendees for sharing their ideas, expertise and experience.

SEE
Presentations, Programme, Photos etc
(ICAEA Membership required)

from the Management Summary – Aviation English Research Project, UK CAA CAP1375 – March 2017

READ
the full report at UK CAA website

Awareness
To raise awareness of the role of English in aviation safety, service quality and industry efficiency.

Best Practice
To promote best practices in ELP training and testing in all sectors of the aviation industry.

Cooperation
To provide a non-commercial platform for the sharing of expertise, experience and news.

Events
We organise an annual program of regional forums and practical, interactive workshops.

Representation
We attend industry conferences to provide input on ELP standards and recommended practices.

Projects
We support projects that harmonise accepted global standards in ELP training and testing.

Non-Profit
ICAEA was established in Europe 1991 as a worldwide, non-partisan, non-profit association.

Board
ICAEA is managed and overseen by a volunteer Board of industry and language experts.

Membership
ICAEA has 600+ registered Members (operations, training, linguistics) from 80+ countries.