scholarly journals Designing the Radiotelephony Plain English Corpus (RTPEC): A specialized spoken English language corpus towards a description of aeronautical communications in non-routine situations

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 113-128
Author(s):  
Malila C.A. Prado ◽  
Patricia Tosquil Lucks
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Radio Communications ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Language Corpus ◽  
Shed Light

Pilots and air traffic controllers need to undergo a specific English test in order to be granted a license for international operations. A language proficiency scale was developed to serve as a parameter to all aviation regulatory agencies throughout the world by targeting the language produced specifically by air traffic controllers and pilots in radio communications when non-routine situations (such as technical problems, bird strike, changes in weather, health problems on board, etc.) occur (ICAO 2010). However, there is a lack of empirical investigation which could shed light upon this particular register helping the users of the scale with its understanding. In an attempt to fill this gap, this paper outlines a compilation of the Radiotelephony Plain English Corpus (RPTEC), a spoken corpus of aeronautical communication consisting of transcriptions of exchanges between pilots and air traffic controllers in non-routine situations for research and pedagogical purposes. By presenting steps taken during the process, we intend to provide fellow researchers with data which may suit other purposes and yield further analyses, as well as enlighten similar investigations in the field of English for Specific Purposes.

scholarly journals Addressing air traffic controllers’ English language proficiency needs: Case of Zenata Airport

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-183
Author(s):  
Ghania Mekkaoui ◽  
Noureddine Mouhadjer
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers

The current paper is a contribution to the field of ESP in aviation industry in an Algerian context. It was conducted in Zenata –Messali el Hadj Airport. It was a case study research that is intended to explore the English language deficiencies and problems Algerian air traffic controllers may face in their work, as well as to identify their lacks, needs and wants. To overcome their    difficulties a needs identification and analysis was conducted thanks to various instruments: interviews, a questionnaire, classroom observation. The results indicated that all informants involved in the current research were aware of the importance of the English language in aviation industry, as low proficiency in this language might lead to misunderstanding, and dangerous situations. Air traffic controllers reveal their need to develop their language proficiency namely in speaking and listening skills with special focus on vocabulary and grammar. To conclude English language is important in aviation industry. A good mastery of this language helps avoid misunderstanding and keep aviation safety. Thus, Algerian air traffic controllers need to enhance their English language ability thanks to appropriate English courses and well trained ESP teachers. Keywords: ESP; English Language Proficiency; Air Traffic Controllers; English for Aviation.

scholarly journals O efeito retroativo do EPLIS nas percepções de professores

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Paula Ribeiro e Souza
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Aviation English

The Aviation English Proficiency Exam for the Brazilian Airspace Control System (EPLIS) was developed in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) language policy regarding the assessment of English language proficiency for air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators. A high-stakes test by any account, EPLIS was delivered only to in-service air traffic personnel for the first 7 years. In 2014, however, pre-service air traffic controllers started sitting EPLIS in the last semester of their two-year training program. This study aimed at investigating the washback effect of EPLIS on the English teachers’ perceptions in an Air Traffic Control Initial Training Program. Teachers responded to a questionnaire about the influence of EPLIS on different aspects of language teaching and learning. A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out and the results showed that Aviation English teaching experience andknowledge about the exam interact with washback intensity.

Zagreb and Tenerife

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 22.1-22.14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Cookson
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Swiss Cheese Model ◽  
Accident Causation ◽  
Airline Accidents ◽  
Cheese Model

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is currently implementing a program to improve the language proficiency of pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide. In justifying the program, ICAO has cited a number of airline accidents that were at least partly caused by language factors. Two accidents cited by ICAO are analysed in this paper: the mid-air collision above Zagreb in 1976, and the runway collision at Tenerife in 1977. The paper examines the linguistic factors involved in each accident, such as code switching and L1 interference, and uses the ‘Swiss cheese’ model of accident causation developed by Reason (1990) and adapted by Wiegmann and Shappell (2003) to put these factors into a broader aviation context. It is shown that, while linguistic factors were in each case significant, both accidents occurred as the result of multiple causal factors, many of which were non-linguistic. Furthermore, stress and fatigue played a decisive role in exacerbating the linguistic factors in each accident. Finally, the paper suggests lessons that may be drawn from the analysis for the training of pilots and air traffic controllers, both nativespeaker and non native-speaker.

scholarly journals Performance in English Skills Courses and Overall Academic Achievement

1991 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Black
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Academic Needs ◽  
Universities And Colleges ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Academic Courses

The implementation of ESL courses at universities and colleges has been based on the assumption that a threshold level of English proficiency is necessary for students to succeed at their academic work. The correlation, however, between English language proficiency and academic success has not been clearly established. This paper describes a study undertaken at Brock University which correlates performance of students in ESL courses in spoken and written English with achievement in their other academic courses. The grades received in the ESL courses were correlated with the overall academic average and the major average for the whole group and for each of three degree groups-students completing B.A, RSc., and B.RE. degrees. Analysis of the data revealed a modest positive correlation between performance in written English and the overall and major averages in all groups except the B.RE., in which there was no significant correlation. The grades for the spoken English course failed to correlate significantly with either the overall average or the major average in any of the groups. Pedagogical implications of these surprisingly low correlations are discussed, and suggestions are offered for making skills learned in ESL courses more relevant to the academic needs of students.

ROLE OF STUDY SKILLS IN IMPROVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING PROCESS

2020 ◽  
pp. 32-37
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Study Skills ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Object A ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Smart Learning

This study aims at finding out inadequate English Language Proficiency in spoken English. Apart from study skills verbal blows appear mightier than the physical ones. Not just the words both written and spoken have acquired a significantly crucial and an almost decisive force in contemporary times. Essentially, ours is a society which moves on the wheels of communication though it is only a means and not the end. In English language teaching ( ELT) especially, when English is connected to class room teaching (CRT ) .Self endeavour plays a very significant role in engrossing the attention and attitude of the students. A student has to incorporate a variety of skills as dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, extensive, reading, Exploration, four language skills (LSRW), , dialogue writing, note making, note taking, report writing, email etiquette are part in improving one's English language proficiency effectively. To achieve this object, a lot of reference work has to be done by the students effectively. Since language is acquired only proper self-efforts by the students and learners, study skills will back up the knowledge of understanding a language. When understanding sounds in English, it is easier to improve the accuracy in pronunciation. Learning a language is quite different from teaching any language like English. As English language has a peculiar in its diction of usage, word stress, sentence stress and intonations, keeping attention on them is very important. For improving proficiency, the way we study should be designed and challenged to the present era. Ancient teaching methods, approaches, techniques will be replaced by latest modern smart communication approaches and strategies. For smart learning of study Skills, several factors have been contributed to the adoption of new trends in ELT for improving a learner as adept in English language proficiency. This paper also includes some quick tips on how to teach study skills. It has also been discussed the good study techniques.

scholarly journals CLARITY AND PRONUNCIATION OF AB-INITIO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

Aviation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 252-261
Author(s):  
Haryani Hamzah
Keyword(s):  
Ab Initio ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
First Language ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Conversational Analysis ◽  
Air Traffic Controller ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Aviation Training ◽  
Language Proficiency Test ◽  
Communication Errors

The increasing number of aircraft flying around the world has led to the requirement for air traffic controllers to improve their communication skills to face high demand traffic in the future. The paper examines the communication errors in the pilot-controller communication of six ab-initio air traffic controllers during simulation training. More than three hours of conversation were collected and analyzed qualitatively using conversational analysis. The transcribed data yielded a total of 62 instances of communication errors. The data revealed that clarity and pronunciation of ab-initio controllers contributed to problematic communication and reduced the efficiency of the air traffic controllers in communicating. In contrast, pronunciation errors rarely diminished comprehension amongst the controllers and pilots who share a similar first language and are familiar with the use of English in a lingua franca setting. The study also describes other instances of communication errors in pilot-controller communication. The results indicate that ab-initio air traffic controllers need to be proficient in three main areas in pilot controller communication to improve their performance: aviation phraseology, aviation English, and aviation knowledge. The findings suggest that pilots and air traffic controllers should achieve level 4 (operational) in aviation language proficiency test, before proceeding to aviation training that requires them to be proficient in their language skills.

scholarly journals Zagreb and Tenerife

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 22.1-22.14
Author(s):  
Simon Cookson
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Swiss Cheese Model ◽  
Accident Causation ◽  
Airline Accidents ◽  
Cheese Model

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is currently implementing a program to improve the language proficiency of pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide. In justifying the program, ICAO has cited a number of airline accidents that were at least partly caused by language factors. Two accidents cited by ICAO are analysed in this paper: the mid-air collision above Zagreb in 1976, and the runway collision at Tenerife in 1977. The paper examines the linguistic factors involved in each accident, such as code switching and L1 interference, and uses the ‘Swiss cheese’ model of accident causation developed by Reason (1990) and adapted by Wiegmann and Shappell (2003) to put these factors into a broader aviation context. It is shown that, while linguistic factors were in each case significant, both accidents occurred as the result of multiple causal factors, many of which were non-linguistic. Furthermore, stress and fatigue played a decisive role in exacerbating the linguistic factors in each accident. Finally, the paper suggests lessons that may be drawn from the analysis for the training of pilots and air traffic controllers, both nativespeaker and non native-speaker.

Language Skills among Students in the Field of Engineering

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slađana Živković
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Professional Knowledge ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Job Market ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Listening And Speaking ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Research Show

The present paper aims to shed light on the importance of language skills perceived by students in the field of engineering. The English course is designed to help students to improve their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills related to the specific topics in engineering, and thus to prepare them for their future career. Students are aware of the fact that in today’s globalized and competitive world companies need highly qualified specialists who possess not only professional knowledge and competencies but also adequate language proficiency necessary to succeed in the job market. So, the study examines students’ perceptions and attitudes towards the use of language skills for understanding, explaining and doing engineering. The results of the research show a strong interest in taking a career-related course and strengthening knowledge of the English language.

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