Aviation English language proficiency

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The value of aviation English rater training

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The value of aviation English rater training

The combination of national regulations and individual motivations has created a demand for generic aviation English rater training courses, a demand which is met by a number of providers who offer courses in varied shape and form. As rater training is largely unregulated, and as there is little guidance on what an aviation English rater training course should include, this article briefly explores this niche area of activity, suggests content that training courses should cover, and evaluates the usefulness of generic rater training.

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Understanding idiomatic vocabulary for ICAO L5 or L6

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Understanding idiomatic vocabulary for ICAO L5 or L6

A short, interactive blog to explore the notion of idiomatic vocabulary and nuanced language, sometimes used by native speakers of English on the radio but also targeted by the aviation language proficiency descriptors of the ICAO rating scale at level 5 and level 6.

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Pass your message - aviation English for pilots

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Pass your message - aviation English for pilots

In our first video blog, Latitude's team discuss aviation English for pilots, presenting what we mean by 'Aviation English' in broad terms before introducing some of the work-related language use tasks that pilots perform and drilling down on aeronautical communications and the ICAO LPRs.

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Back to work

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Back to work

As we slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and the aviation industry gears up for restart, this article examines one small but important safety concern - the issue of loss of language proficiency. We briefly explore the concept of ‘language attrition’ before examining some recent guidance on industry restart, and conclude with some advice for pilots, controllers and training managers returning to active duty.

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Teaching aviation English to student pilots - Some challenges

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Teaching aviation English to student pilots - Some challenges

Ab-initio flight training is showing some positive signs of recovery. The adequate supply of professional pilots will be one of the keys to rebuilding of a safe and sustainable airline industry over the next few years, and the need for appropriate aviation English training to equip students for success at flight school and their career beyond is as pressing as ever. This blog post explains what drives Latitude to publish aviation English training content to enable aspiring pilots to gain entry to the aviation industry, and sets out six challenges that we observe in this exciting area of English for specific purposes.

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Taking an online aviation English lesson. What’s it like?

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Taking an online aviation English lesson. What’s it like?

Many pilots and ATCs are taking online aviation English courses and tests to improve their aviation language proficiency in preparation for the ICAO test. But what should they expect and is there anything to be afraid of?

Should ICAO level 6 be removed?

Should ICAO level 6 be removed?

Should ICAO level 6 be removed? The problem with level 6 is not so much that it exists, it is more accurately about the circumstances and inferences that stem from it. A pilot who gets level 6 has it for life, but how do we know the pilot will stay at ICAO level 6? Language proficiency can be lost over time.