Авиационный английский

Если вы хотите подать заявку на экзамен ELPAC, свяжитесь с нами +371 20 231 484, +371 22 849 907 или просто заполните форму

What is that?

English Language Proficiency for Aeronautical Communication

The ELPAC pilot test has been designed to assess the ability of pilots to communicate effectively with air traffic control at ICAO levels 4 and 5. This means that pilots must demonstrate their ability to:

make requests,
report unexpected situations,
communicate and resolve potential misunderstandings.

ELPAC is designed for pilots and air traffic controllers thus giving the same communication evaluation platform and “measurements”.

How does it happen?

The ELPAC test architecture consists of 2 parts.

Paper 1 – listening and comprehension.

Paper 2 – oral interaction.

Paper 1 (Listening Comprehension) tests understanding communications between pilots and controllers and between controllers and controllers in both routine and non-routine situations. The recordings are based on authentic material and range from short standard pilot transmissions to longer communications in which the controller and pilot deal with non-routine or unusual situations.

ELPAC Paper 1 is administered via the Internet and takes around 40 minutes.

Paper 2 (Oral Interaction) assesses the controller’s or pilot’s proficiency through non-visual and visual communication in three tasks. It includes:

The correct use of standard ICAO phraseology
Switching between structured phrases [RTF] and plain English
Making an appropriate response to a message
Resolving misunderstandings
Dealing effectively with the relationship between pilot and controller
Negotiating a developing unusual situation
Making a verbal report in English (of the unusual situation)
Producing extended speech in an aviation context

ELPAC Paper 2 is administered by two ELPAC examiners, a language expert, and an operational expert, and takes around 20 minutes.

What makes the result?

The test and examiners are collecting the evidence of delivered speech and given answers and compare them to ICAO rating scale (see picture below) in order to validate the candidate’s performance against the standard. At the end of successful examination candidate receives a certificate verifying the achieved ICAO English language level.

How to prepare for the test?

For more detailed information on how to be well prepared for the test please follow the link: https://elpac.eurocontrol.int/prepare_test.html

icao language proficiency rating scale

Level

4 Operational

5 Extended

6 Expert

Pronunciation

Assumes a dialect and/or Relevant accent intelligible to the aeronautical community

Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation are the first language or regional variation but only sometimes interfere with case of understanding.

Pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and intonation, though influenced by the first language or regional variation, rarely interfere with ease of understanding.

Pronunciation, stress. rhythm, and intonation, though possibly by the first language or regional vacation, almost never interfere with case of understanding.

Structure

Relevant grammatical structures and sentence patterns are determined by language functions appropriate to the task

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 with meaning.

Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled. Complex structures are attempted but with errors which sometimes interfere with meaning.

Both basic and complex grammatical structures and sentence patterns are consistently well controlled.

Vocabulary

Relevant grammatical structures and sentence patterns are determined by language functions appropriate to the task

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

Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate on common, concrete, and work- related topics. Paraphrases consistently and successfully. Vocabulary is sometimes idiomatic

Vocabulary range and accuracy are sufficient to communicate effectively on a wide variety of and unfamiliar topies. Vocabulary is idiomatic, nuanced, and sensitive to register

Fluency

Produces stretches of language at an appropriate tempo. There may be occasional loss of fluency on transition from rehearsed or formulaic speech to interaction, hut this docs not prevent effective communication. Can make limited use of discourse markers or connectors. Fillers are not distracting

Able to speak at length with relative case on familiar topics but may not vary speech flow as a stylistic device. Can make use of appropriate disc discourse markers or connectors

Able to speak at length with a natural, flow Varies speech for effect, e.g. to emphasize a point, Uses appropriate discourse markers and connectors spontancously

Comprehension

Comprehension is mostly accurate 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

Comprehension is accurate on common, concrete, and work- related topics and mostly accurate when the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or situational complication or an unexpected turn of events. Is able to comprehend a range of speech varieties (dialioct and/or accent) registers.

Comprehension is consistently accurate in nearly all contexts and includes comprehension of linguistic and cultural subtleties

Interactions

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.

Responses are immediate, appropriate, and informative. Manages the speaker/ listener relationship effectively.

Interacts with ease in nearly all situations. Is sensitive to verbal and non-verbal cues and responds to them appropriately.