English
Deutsch
Français
Portugais
Español
English for Aviation
ICAO language proficiency testing
Ih Cape Town is a registered ELP testing centre with the South African Civil Aviation Authorities ( ATO# CAA/0370) and therefore all tests conducted are valid for international licensing. ICAO, a division within the United Nations, regularly reviews and strengthens its language proficiency requirements.
ICAO stipulates that all pilots operating on international routes and all air traffic controllers who communicate with foreign pilots must be able to communicate using both ICAO phraseology and plain English, and must have their English language proficiency formally assessed.
ICAO has established 6 levels of language proficiency:
- ICAO Level 6: Expert
- ICAO Level 5: Extended
- ICAO Level 4: Operational
- ICAO Level 3: Pre-Operational
- ICAO Level 2: Elementary
- ICAO Level 1: Pre-Elementary
The minimum language level for licensing purposes is ICAO Level 4. To be assessed at ICAO Level 4 or above, a pilot or air traffic controller must achieve Level 4 in all six of the ICAO skill areas:
- Pronunciation
- Structure
- Vocabulary
- Fluency
- Comprehension
- Interactions
Local civil aviation authorities determine how long test scores remain valid. ICAO recommends that:
- Level 4 is valid for license endorsement for 3 years from the test date
- Level 5 is valid for license endorsement for 6 years from the test date
- Level 6 is valid for license endorsement for an indefinite period from the test date
This course has been designed with the new language regulations in mind which have been introduced by ICAO for all concerned to reach Level 4 and higher on the Language Proficiency Scale.
The English for Aviation covers a range of subjects associated with flying and the Aviation Industry. The course is organised in the sequence of a flight, starting with an introductory unit, followed by pre-flight, ground movements, departure, cruising, en-route events, contact and approach, landing and end-of-flight ground movements.
Who is the course for?
Pilots and air traffic controllers will find the course useful for improving their Standard English, but anyone working in aviation ground staff, emergency services, or administrators, for example – who want to improve their English ability will benefit from the English for Aviation course as well.
Course Summary
- Starting Dates: On request
- Duration: 2 – 8 weeks
- Lessons per week: 23 hours
- Minimum English Level: Upper Intermediate +
- Maximum students per class: 12 students
Course components
Standard English
8.30 am – 10.30 am or 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Monday to Friday
English for Aviation
12.40 pm – 2.40 pm or 2.40 pm – 4.40 pm
Monday to Thursday
PSP times
8.30 am – 4.40 pm
Monday to Friday
1 hour per day
Price (Quoted per week)
- €360* for 2-4 weeks
- €340* for 5-8 weeks
Important: *Prices exclude ICAO Test fees of €65
Included
- Tuition fees
- Placement test
- All course materials
- Personal Study Programme
- End-of-course certificate
- Unlimited free wi-fi access on school premises
- Access to free online English courses through Net Languages and Ih World
What is a Personal Study Programme [PSP]?
PSP is…
- Managed, guided and monitored learning
- Flexible and based on individual needs
- An opportunity for students to work together
- Supported by a wide range of activities and resources
- Up to 20 minutes of 1:1 with a teacher every week
- Time with qualified teachers
- An opportunity for specialised English study
(e.g. for business, aviation, exam preparation, etc.)
PSP is not…
- Undirected or disorganised self-access
- Prescribed by teachers using a fixed syllabus
- An isolated hour of individual work
- Only computer-based
- 1:1 every day (the ratio is usually 1:6-8)
- Staffed by untrained supervisors
- A closed group, general English course
Why the change?
The new timetable is aimed at improving the overall ‘student experience’ by creating a network of social learning spaces. In addition to classroom learning, this will include
● creating opportunities for interaction with a greater number of students and teachers
● providing students with a Personal Study Programme that caters to their individual needs, without the expense of 1:1 lessons
● enabling students to reach personal goals as quickly as possible through the development of independent learning skills
● offering a wider range of print and online study resources
● improving access to facilities and staff through the implementation of a more flexible schedule.
Payment: Payment can be by credit card [3.5% additional fees] or bank transfer.
Public holiday notice: Should the school be closed due to a public holiday, ONLY private lessons are made up in full.
Testimonials
