INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ENGLISH ASSOCIATION
ICAEA PROJECTS
ICAEA has held seminars and forums in Europe since 1993. These events have been self-funding. At its Annual General Meeting in May 2008 (See Home page) the ICAEA Board identified nine further activities which the association should seek to develop.
All these activities correspond to areas of expertise to be found among the association's members and to the association's aims as laid down by its statutes (See Home page).
Moreover, they are all of undeniable benefit to the aviation community as a whole and would contribute to enhancing ICAEA's ability to support this community in the field of standards of English and communication, notably in supporting the implementation of the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements. While all require fairly modest budgets, they do involve funding which exceeds ICAEA's existing resources.
These nine projects below are detailed in the studies which follow. The details of their individual budgets can be provided on request.
To serve the aviation community usefully, ICAEA needs support. If your organisation is able to provide such sponsorship or support in one way or another, please do get in touch with our Board.
- Aviation English bibliography and resource data base
- Regular webmaster activity and website expansion
- Travel budget for 1) speakers and 2) Board
members to attend conferences, meetings and working groups
- Guidelines for aviation English training (maintenance, cabin crew)
- Coordination of aviation input and providing a focal point for university research on areas of aviation English
- Regional test rater workshops
- Aviation English teacher training and rater training courses in Africa and other regions where self-funding for external expert services is problematic
- Participating in working groups on testing and training accreditation
- Sponsoring ICAEA events outside Europe
PROJECT 1: Aviation English bibliography and resource data base
PROJECT 2: Regular webmaster activity and website expansion
PROJECT 3: Travel budget for 1) speakers and 2) Board members to attend conferences, meetings and working groups
PROJECT 4: Guidelines for aviation English training
PROJECT 5: Coordination and provision of aviation input and a focal point for university research on areas of aviation English
PROJECT 6: Regional test rater workshops
PROJECT 7: Aviation English teacher training and rater training courses in Africa and other regions where self-funding for external expert services is problematic
PROJECT 8: Participating in working groups on testing and training accreditation
PROJECT 9: Sponsoring ICAEA events outside Europe
PROJECT 1: Aviation English bibliography and resource data base
Background
Many different types of resource affect those who use, teach and test aviation English: books, articles, technical manuals, regulatory texts, reports, videos, web sites, research papers etc. They are referred to by teachers, training developers and providers, regulators, language test providers, human resource management, human factors specialists, research students and others. Today these resources and publications are nowhere centralized in a single location or data base. Many of them are not distributed by international publishers or organisations, but may be of value to the aviation community and those who serve it.
Objective
An important part of ICAEA's mandate is to promote the distribution of information in the field of aviation English. The creation and maintenance of a systematic and exhaustive bibliography and resource data base upon sound documentary principles which, once established, could be updated with input from its members would be of great utility to large numbers of professionals worldwide and avoid time-consuming individual research.
Outcome
The data base would be created for the ICAEA website (www.icaea.pansa.pl) by a bibliographer familiar with aviation and aeronautics according to specific categories such as aircraft technology, radiotelephony, crew resource management, aviation English textbooks and computer-assisted courseware, language proficiency requirements etc. It would be cross-referenced by author, country of origin etc.
Establishing links with publishers could be explored for obtaining synopses of their works, creating links to e-books and even ordering on-line. This could represent a possible revenue stream for the association.
Once the basic system and interface were designed and initial data gathering and entry completed for a core corpus, the data base could be updated and consolidated on a regular basis by the bibliographer using input from members. It would provide a single convenient focal point for research and practical information for the operational, research and training communities.
Workload
Compilation of initial core corpus (approximately 500 items) from existing references and internet: 1 day
Interface design and creation of categories and cross-referencing system: 3 days
Entering 500 items at an average rate of 10 minutes per item: 11 days
Trialling and debugging: 2 days
TOTAL launch workload: 17 days over a 6-month period
Once the system was launched successfully, the task of compiling additional data and making new entries and consolidating / updating old ones could be assigned to research students with simply advice and oversight, and contacts with publishers and organisations, being provided by the bibliographer. Much of the new input could be provided by ICAEA members from different parts of the world and based on different professional and academic interests.
Ongoing compilation and consolidation: 1 day per month over a period of 30 months: 30 days
Resources
Acquisition of data base software
Design of introductory page and entry page template
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PROJECT 2: Regular webmaster activity and website expansion
Background
ICAEA has had a website (www.icaea.pansa.pl) for several years sponsored by the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA). The website is the association's main repository for information and means of communication. It features an editorial, future events, the proceedings of all ICAEA's past seminars and forums, reviews of publications related to aviation English, current research and language enhancement projects from around the world, minutes of the association's Board meetings, relevant regulatory texts, links and access to an e-forum (icaea_world).
Objective
To maintain the website's usefulness, it is necessary to keep it updated and provide it with new material in the current features. In addition, the Board wishes to enhance it and make it more interactive by the addition of a certain number of new features such as:
- Members' Directory to facilitate exchange
- Active aviation English-related bibliography / resource data base
- Forum and directory of current aviation English-related university research
- Posting of aviation English projects world wide
- Test rater e-forum
- Extended news and coming events feature
- Ongoing reviews of relevant publications and media
- Notice board for information seeking, job opportunities and exchange proposals
Outcome
The ICAEA website requires a webmaster to:
- update the content of the site
- liaise with contributors (Board members, bibliographer, reviewers, members, graphic designers etc.) and PANSA staff
- design new features and layout, and
- centralise and format all input from members and contributors so that they can be uploaded as easily as possible by PANSA staff.
Workload
Although by its very nature the workload would be fluctuating, it is an ongoing commitment which we have estimated on average to correspond to one full day per month.
Resources
Internet access
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PROJECT 3: Travel budget for 1) speakers and 2) Board members to attend conferences, meetings and working groups
Background
Generally speaking a large part of the income from the association's seminars and forums is devoted to paying for speakers' travel and accommodation expenses, however, ICAEA has been limited in the speakers and specialists they were able to approach due to its ability to fund long haul air fares or invite several speakers to a single event.
Furthermore, much of ICAEA's potential activity lies in developing exchange with other organisations and facilitating activities outside Europe. Until now, ICAEA has funded a small number of travel expenses e.g. to attend ICAO symposia in Montreal or ALTE conferences in Europe, while other trips have been funded by members themselves.
Objective
One necessary condition of ICAEA's development is for some Board members to be able to attend conferences, take part in working groups and provide expertise. The organisation of events outside Europe will result in higher travel expenses for both speakers and the Board members involved in their organisation. On both counts, a greater freedom of movement is a prerequisite for ICAEA being able to be of benefit to a wider aviation community.
In the past hosting airlines have provided free air travel for speakers and a few Board members to attend seminars and forums. ICAEA is seeking to have a provision for air travel which will enable it to plan realistically the execution of some of its projects.
Outcome
A quota of regional and inter-continental tickets over a three-year period would empower ICAEA to fulfil its missions. In return, we believe that this sponsorship would be of direct benefit to both the sponsor and the aviation industry by the resulting enhancement of information and know-how exchange.
Workload
N/A
Resources
N/A
Budget
10 regional and 6 inter-continental service tickets to be made available, i.e. 30 regional and 18 inter-continental service tickets over a 3-year period.
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PROJECT 4: Guidelines for aviation English training
Background
Early in 2008 ICAEA edited 'Guidelines for aviation English training programmes, a 70-page manual providing guidance in aviation English training in the light of the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers. It is intended for aviation English providers and those airlines, air navigation service providers, civil aviation authorities and training centres contracting with them. It covers four areas 1) training design and development, 2) training delivery, 3) trainer profiles and background and 4) trainer training initially addressed during workshops held at ICAEA's 8th forum in Cambridge in September 2007.
The guidelines are designed to provide an initial framework in an unregulated field of activity where many training providers and much of the aviation industry have little experience. While not a definitive work, it is believed that it will foster better standards and more appropriate focus in aviation English training for pilots and controllers.
This manual was produced by ICAEA on a purely voluntary basis without any funding or remuneration, but this is clearly not a sustainable model for future development.
Objective
There are other areas of aviation English where guidance would be useful for both providers and the organisations they contract with, such as:
- technical English training in aircraft engineering and maintenance
- licensing test rater training (See also Project 6)
- aviation familiarisation for aviation English trainers
- English training for flight attendants.
These topics could be addressed by both specialist manuals and introductory workshop or teacher training sessions with practical exercises. ICAEA members have the expertise to carry out these initiatives to the highest standards thus driving quality worldwide.
Outcome
Each topic would be the object of a fully documented manual of approximately 70 pages and be accompanied by a 5-day lesson plan and workshop / training session exercises to provide teacher training when required.
Workload
Researching, drafting, reviewing, editing, proof-reading and page-setting each manual: 30 days
Preparing the workshop / course material: 5 days
Total: 35 days
Resources
Printing of manuals
Compilation and recording of audio media in certain cases
Production of training materials
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PROJECT 5: Coordination and provision of aviation input and a focal point for university research on areas of aviation English
Background
In the wake of the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements of 2003, there has been a marked increase world wide in academic research in the area of aviation English and the use of language in an operational environment. ICAEA has posted some of this research on its website and has plans to give such research much wider exposure in future (See Project 2).
Most of this university research is performed by post graduate (M.A. or PhD) students with an applied linguistics background. Two observations occurred to us: firstly, while these students are highly trained in linguistics, their knowledge of various aviation-related issues is much weaker; and secondly, many of these students have few links with similar projects being conducted elsewhere or with the aviation community at large.
Objective
ICAEA wishes therefore to dedicate part of its website to creating a platform on which research students can communicate about their work world wide, post information on their ongoing or completed research on a voluntary basis, seek specific information and contacts both within and outside the association, receive advice and input on operational matters and resources.
Outcome
In order to achieve these objectives, ICAEA plans to:
- assign someone to identifying ongoing research projects
- set up a dedicated e-forum for exchange on matters related to research into the use of English in aviation
- create a template for research data to be classified, stored, updated and accessed through the website
- provide students with a personal e-mail facility for individual advice and information
Workload
Design of research data template: 5 days
Researching new academic research: 1 day per month
Data uploading: 1 day per month
Interfacing with students: 1 day a month
Resources
Template software: TBD
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PROJECT 6: Regional test rater workshops
Background
In almost all cases, human raters are required to assess the speech of pilots and air traffic controllers for language tests for license endorsement. Language rating is very high stakes, and raters carry a very significant responsibility in the effective implementation of the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements. It is crucial for raters worldwide to standardise language proficiency assessment in order to achieve minimum acceptable levels of reliability in test results.
At present, there are commercial providers of rater training courses, and rater training is conducted within public and private sector testing systems. However, with the exception of the ICAO CD ROM training aid 'Rated Speech Samples' (a project in which ICAEA members participated), there is no mechanism for international harmonisation and standardisation of language raters worldwide, and there is no forum for the exchange of professional expertise in language rating.
Objective
To conduct a series of regional language rating workshops in Europe, Africa, North America, South America, The Middle East and Asia where test developers, raters, pilots, air traffic controllers and representatives of civil aviation authorities would be invited to exchange expertise and share experience in language rating. On a voluntary basis, participants would be invited to submit speech samples to be rated by workshop participants for the purposes of rater standardisation. With the agreement of participants, data on the performance of language raters and the application of the rating scale would be gathered and analysed in order to produce material for an updated version of the ICAO CD ROM training aid, 'Rated Speech Samples'.
Outcome
- Regional focal points for the exchange of expertise and understanding in language rating
- Standardisation of language raters worldwide
- A body of data on the performance of language raters and the ICAO assessment criteria for research and analysis (see project 5)
- Material for an updated ICAO CD ROM training aid, 'Rated Speech Samples', to be published by ICAO, including a corpus of rated speech samples and guidance for language raters.
Workload
Preparation of workshop programme, documentation and materials (including collecting, editing and compiling speech samples): 15 days
12 3-day rater standardisation workshops: 72 days (two ICAEA members per workshop)
Analysis of data on language rater and rating scale performance: 30 days
Production of material for training aid: Drafting, reviewing, editing, and proofing of training materials (speech samples and documentation): 25 days
Analysis of data on language rater and rating scale performance: 30 days
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PROJECT 7: Aviation English teacher training and rater training courses in Africa and other regions where self-funding for external expert services is problematic
Background
The implementation of the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements affects all 190 ICAO member States world wide irrespective of their national languages, their logistical, technical or academic infrastructure or their economic resources. Naturally, these differ greatly from one world region to another. Yet non-compliance with the requirements may have financial and social impacts. Certain States, especially in Africa and parts of Asia and South America may have considerable difficulty in taking appropriate steps to achieve compliance.
Objective
As part of its mandate to foster the distribution of information and the enhancement of standards in the field of aviation English, ICAEA is seeking ways of empowering trainers and training / testing organisations in regions where the conventional market forces which govern most training providers cannot come into play.
ICAEA's intention is to provide aviation English teacher training courses and licensing testing rater training courses free of charge, or at a nominal fee, in regions where the current commercial tariffs are inaccessible. By operating only in regions where commercial training providers are not operating, ICAEA wishes to avoid entering into competition with the commercial sector, but to fill a vacuum in the current worldwide coverage using the internal expertise of its members.
Outcome
- 5-day aviation English teacher trainer course
- 10-day aviation familiarisation course for language teachers without a strong aviation background
- 10-day aviation English ELT course for teachers coming to aviation English from a technical background and only a basic EFL certificate.
- 5-day test rater training course
Workload
It is possible that, with partnership agreements, much of the training material for the above-mentioned courses could be drawn from or adapted from the courseware of some of the commercial organisations for which many of our members work. Nevertheless, there would be a minimum amount of original work to be carried out:
5-day aviation English teacher trainer course: 10 days
10-day aviation familiarisation course for language teachers without a strong aviation background: 15 days
10-day aviation English ELT course for teachers coming to aviation English from a technical background and only a basic EFL certificate: 20 days
5-day test rater training course: 10 days
TOTAL: 55 days
Resources
Lap top, video projector and audio equipment to be provided by trainers
Reproduction of training materials: to be carried out locally at clients expense
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PROJECT 8: Participating in working groups on testing and training accreditation
Background
ICAEA has been represented in the ICAO PRICESG since 2003 and formed part of the PRICE Linguistic sub-group in 2005 which worked on the creation of the ICAO Speech Sample Training Aid CD. Our officers have also attended and delivered papers at various ALTE and IALCO conferences and workshops. The extent of this participation has however been limited by the association's available budget, but even these limited contributions have demonstrated their usefulness.
The last two ICAEA forums in Cambridge (September 2007) and Warsaw (May 2008) have spontaneously given rise to suggestions from several sectors that ICAEA should establish stronger working ties with other associations both in the operational (e.g. IFATCA, CANSO, IFALPA, ICAO, FSF) and the linguistic (e.g. ALTE, EAQUALS, ILTA) fields for the bilateral benefits that could result.
All of ICAEA's statutory aims (See Article 2) would be pursued by such closer cooperation which would equally foster a move towards self-regulation in aviation English training and testing.
Objective
Establishing closer ties with other organisations and conducting work in common through conferences, study groups, workshops etc. in order to promote standards of English in aviation requires time first for exploratory contacts and then for attendance and follow-up; it usually also engenders travel and accommodation expenses.
An annual standing fund to cover such expenses (in conjunction with the air fares provided by Project 3) would empower ICAEA to pursue its policy and make the expertise of its members more readily known and available to the international community.
Outcome
Such a budget for organisational cooperation would enable ICAEA to attend six 1-day exploratory meetings and take part in three 2-day working meetings in the first year and three 1-day exploratory meetings and four 3-day working meetings in the second and third years.
ICAEA's ability to participate in such cooperation with other organisations in projects to promote standards of language proficiency and communication with the end view of promoting aviation safety would also be a factor in encouraging other parties to participate.
Workload (over a 3-year period)
12 exploratory meetings: 12 days
11 working meetings: 30 days
Following up and reporting on working meetings: 11 days
TOTAL: 53 days
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PROJECT 9: Sponsoring ICAEA events outside Europe
Background
Since the association's creation in Paris in 1991, all ICAEA's seminars and forums have taken place in Europe at our host organisations venues: Prague, Helsinki, Warsaw, Riga, Bournemouth, Paris, Toulouse, Besancon, Luxembourg, Cambridge. Although the majority of the association's members come from all parts of Europe, delegates have always come from the Asia-Pacific region, North Africa, the Middle East, North and South America to attend our events. The last two forums were attended by delegates from over 30 countries.
Growing membership in different regions of the world only reflects the international focus on and concern over aviation English since the issuance of the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements in 2003.
While some people are able to travel half way round the world to attend the seminars and forums, they will always be a small minority among those who are interested and involved. Moreover, different regions of the world have different concerns and perspectives.
ICAEA is by vocation an international association and has never sought to be Eurocentric. For some years now there have been requests to organise events, notably in the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America. This is something which the association's Board is committed to pursuing.
Experience has shown that strong logistics at the hosting venue, regular liaising with the host and consistent oversight during the planning, programme definition, organisation and registration phases are prerequisites for an event's success. All these factors are compounded by distance, but are certainly not insurmountable.
Objective
In addition to the specific test rater workshops (See Project 6), which will be held so as to ensure convenient access for most regions of the world, the ICAEA Board wishes to organize a seminar or forum in the Asia-Pacific region (e.g. Thailand, Malaysia, Australia) and in Latin America (e.g. Brazil, Costa Rica) within the next three years.
Outcome
To ensure the success of the event, planning, supervision and logistics would need to be reinforced. This would involve the drafting of a procedural checklist for the host organisation to facilitate preparation, an initial visit to the venue by an ICAEA Board member, attendance and co-chairing of the event by two ICAEA Board members and the invitation of specialist speakers. Long-haul travel expenses would obviously represent a substantial item.
The benefits of such events in the impact that they would have in driving training and testing standards in the respective regions, fostering a professional network of cooperation and increasing awareness of the various sources of information and expertise which ICAEA provides a portal for would be very substantial. The events have the potential to generate a momentum which could be largely self-sustaining.
Workload (on the basis of two events over the next three years)
Drafting organisational guidelines: 1 day
Initial visit to the venue: 2 times 3 days: 6 days
Additional travel time for ICAEA Board members to attend the events: 2 times 4 days: 8 days
Resources
10 Long-haul air fares for Board members travel (1 initial visit and two attendances per event)
NOTE: All accommodation and living costs would be covered by the host organisation or by registration fees. Speakers travel costs would be borne by the host organisation (if an airline) or come within Project 3 above.
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