Icao Language Proficiency Requirements

ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements

Presented by Elizabeth Mathews Linguistic Consultant, ICAO

Why….

Why not a test? ¾ Why a scale? ¾ Why an ICAO scale? ¾

An “ICAO” test? ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾

Resources Expertise Not practical Not ‘best practice’ Beyond ICAO mandate or practice Need testing service, not ‘a test’

Why a scale?

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Usual testing practice in modern language teaching Best practice for the assessment of speaking and listening proficiency Direct assessment (or semi-direct) vs.Indirect assessment

Why an ICAO scale? ¾

Many language rating scales: ¾ILR; IELTS; ISLPR; ACTFL; ALTE; OPRS; SOLOM; ENAC; PELA

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Aviation context Aviation communications specific

Language Requirements Holistic Descriptors + Rating Scale

Holistic Descriptor a)

Proficient speakers shall communicate effectively in voice-only (telephone/radiotelephone) and in face-to-face situations

Holistic Descriptor b) Proficient speakers shall communicate on common, concrete and work-related topics with accuracy and clarity

Holistic Descriptor c) Proficient speakers shall use appropriate communicative strategies to exchange messages and to recognise and resolve misunderstandings (e.g. to check, confirm, or clarify information) in a general or work-related context

Holistic Descriptor d) ¾

Proficient speakers shall handle successfully and with relative ease the linguistic challenges presented by a complication or unexpected turn of events that occurs within the context of a routine work situation or communicative task with which they are otherwise familiar

Holistic Descriptor e) Proficient speakers shall use a dialect or accent which is intelligible to the aeronautical community

Six Levels: Expert-6 Extended-5 Operational-4

Pre-operational-3 Elementary-2 Pre-elementary-1

Five Areas of linguistic performance Pronunciation Fluency Structure Comprehension Interactions

Pronunciation Level 4 Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation are influenced by the first language or regional variation but only sometimes interfere with ease of understanding.

Structure Level 4 Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are used creatively and are usually well controlled. Errors may occur, particularly in unusual or unexpected circumstances, but rarely interfere with meaning.

Vocabulary Level 4 Vocabulary range and accuracy are usually sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete, and work-related topics. Can often paraphrase successfully when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Fluency Level 4 Produces stretches of language at an appropriate tempo. There may be occasional loss of fluency on transition from rehearsed or formulaic speech to spontaneous interaction, but this does not prevent effective communication. Can make limited use of discourse markers. Fillers not distracting.

Comprehension Level 4 Comprehension mostly accurately on common, concrete, and work-related topics when the accent or variety used is sufficiently intelligible for an international community of users. When the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or situational complication or an unexpected turn of events, Comprehension may be slower or require clarification strategies.

Interactions Level 4 Responses are usually immediate, appropriate, and informative. Initiates and maintains exchanges even when dealing with an unexpected turn of events. Deals adequately with apparent misunderstandings by checking, confirming, or clarifying.

Retesting ¾ ¾ ¾

Level 6 Level 5 Level 4

No recurrent testing Every six years Every 3 years

¾ Recommended practice ¾ Why? „

Safety net • Language skills slip • Level 4 not a perfect level of proficiency

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“Native speakers?” Expert speakers ¾ ¾ ¾

mono-lingual speakers bi-lingual speakers multi-lingual speakers

Problem solved?

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Half of the problem solved

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A new set of problems ¾Infrastructure

Infrastructure

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Tests Training programs Teachers Teacher training programs Materials