AESO English Language Skills Professional Development training focuses on the NNSE (Non-Native-Speakers-English) Airline Pilots – who are already ICAO Language Proficiency rated (Operational Level 4 and above). University research is showing that despite being ICAO Language rated, many Airline Pilots continue to struggle with their English Language communication skills. Recent university research
in Japan has revealed that the median SPS (syllables per second) speech rate of ICAO Language Rated NNSE Airline Pilots in 2011 was 4.2 compared to the median 6.1 of native American Air Traffic Controllers. It is not surprising that language difficulties relating to fluency and lexis are common characteristics of NNSE pilots. Even for the ICAO Expert Level 6 NSE (Native-Speakers-English), studies show that ATC transmissions are often mis-interpreted or totally missed when the flight crew are interrupted or distracted. As any professional pilot will tell you, interruptions and distractions happen in some form or another on EVERY flight (annunciators, horns, vocal advisories and warnings etc). For the NNSE pilot, the effect of interruptions and distractions is exacerbated! AESO Training Rationale
When we get our ATPL pilot licences we are legally allowed to work as a pilot for an airline. A pilot's skill is earned through years of diligent practice. In much the same way when non-English speaking pilots achieve ICAO Language 'proficiency' (Level 4 or above) it does not mean that they automatically have solid English Language skills. Language skill comes from years of diligent learning and practice. AESO approaches NNSE English language skill gaps in the vein of Professional Development. Effective English communications in international operations are vital to Air safety. Accordingly, we add ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT into the ring with other PD Safety related topics such as CRM, CFIT, Human Factors etc – because we feel it IS important. AESO training is conducted in ‘real time’ live via webcam, to the pilot’s home so he/she can choose the best session time that suits them. AESO approach to home based professional development includes;
1. Identifying English language deficiencies in NNSE ICAO RATED pilots through Language Testing and Needs Analysis.
2. Assigning remedial on-line workshops to improve skills and to 'lift the bar' on their command of English.
3. Building fluency in specially designed Airline Pilot discussion groups (Crew Room) which are focussed on interesting and engaging Aviation topics with vocabulary and technical terminology inputs. These sessions are linked to the ‘AESO Classroom’ in Edmodo.com with pre-readings and focus questions to be done prior to the discussion.
4. Training is conducted by a trainer who has 35 years of combined ESL Teaching/ V.E.T. Training experience and Professional ATPL flying experience. The trainer has almost 9000 flying hours, was a former Flying Instructor and is university trained with a BSc AVIATION degree. This experience enables him to connect with pilots from Trainees to Captains at all levels of language ability.
