Professional Training Courses for
Raters/Assessors
This course is
intended for teachers of aviation English who
are required to assess and rate the English
language capabilities of pilots, air traffic
controllers and other aviation professionals
according to the Language Proficiency
Requirements of the International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) as set out in ICAO Document
9835. The participants' level of English
language should be at least advanced. This will
be tested at the start of the course.
The course is divided into two parts
The first week concentrates on interpreting the language criteria of the ICAO Rating Scale and applying them by listening to and assessing sound files of various non-native speaker aviation professionals.
The second week focuses on sourcing, adapting and producing appropriate materials for use in an assessment test and trialling them on other trainees.
Trainees with no experience of English language teaching are required to attend the Teaching Methodology Course for Aviation English Teachers before following this course.
Accommodation Fees 2012 - £-Sterling
Course Fees 2012 - US-$ Dollars
Course Content
Week 1 - Rating Awareness and Practice
30 lessons in a closed professional group, supplemented by
directed private study and project work. The
following areas will normally be covered:
 |
Evaluating and comparing different test types (eg. for ab-initio trainees or trained professionals, direct or semi-direct, including computerised tests) |
|
Identifying the criteria for ICAO levels in: Listening (general comprehension, interpretation and discrimination) Speaking (accuracy, intelligibility and communicative competence) |
|
Defining and evaluating appropriate levels of competence in communication skills, and the 6 criteria of the ICAO Rating Scale. |
|
Practical exercises in rating trainees’ performance at various levels of the ICAO Rating Scale, with emphasis on Levels 2 to 5 |
|
Identifying areas for development in failed candidates’ performance, and guiding them towards improving their language proficiency. |
Week 2 - Test Production and Delivery
30 lessons in a closed professional group, supplemented by directed private study and project work. The following areas will normally be covered:
|
Sourcing and selecting materials, creating appropriate tasks for tests, familiarisation with appropriate hardware and software |
|
Production of materials to test their candidates’ knowledge of communication skills in plain English and aviation phraseology in standard and non-standard situations |
|
Evaluating and trialling – in simulation – of test materials |
|
Creating keys and marking guides for assessors |
|
Marking and weighting |
|
Language testing ethics |
|
Planning, staffing and conducting high-stakes testing services for aviation specialists |
Additional Study:
Directed individual study - including pre-session preparation, self-assessment, follow-up work, research assignments and project work - is an integral part of the course. We also recommend that some time should be devoted to additional study in the Multi-Media Learning Centre. An extensive selection of computer programs, audio, video/dvd and reference material, both aviation and non-aviation, is available for private use.
