Midterm paper Understanding Aviation English of Training, Communications and Methodology Presenter: Betty Instructor: Patricia Su Date:19 th April,2012

Article 2 4/19/2012

ICAO standards and training Sampling techniques Aviation communication setting Theoretical Framework Case Study Content /19/2012

Introduction  The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has mandated new standards of English proficiency for flight crew members and air traffic controllers.  The standard for them to reach is a newly mandated level of English language proficiency, especially in the area of radiotelephony, the specialized system of terminology and phraseology used by pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate during takeoff, flight, and landing. 4 4/19/2012

Communication Errors Cause Aviation Disaster An analysis of past accidents reveals that common factors associated with poor communication include: confusing phraseology confusing phraseology Similar aircraft call signs heavy foreign accents unclear English poor enunciation ambiguity Inference problems Problem: 5 4/19/2012

 Communication error is the most frequently cited problem element of incidents reported to the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASTS).  This is consistent with research studies that show more than 70% of airline accidents involved some degree of human error and many of these errors were associated with failures in communication. Communication Errors Cause Aviation Disaster 6 4/19/2012

English has long been accepted as the international language for aviation and that the majority of aviation personnel in the world speak English as a second or foreign language. There has been no set requirement or standard to ensure that pilots and air traffic controllers are able to speak English well enough to communicate effectively. English for International Aviation 7 4/19/2012

The new ICAO mandate is the need for all training companies and educational institutions teaching Aviation English to reevaluate their training methods and materials and to adapt their programs to meet the ICAO’s standards. Virtual Languages Learning Academy (ViLLA) is a U.S. company that delivers web-based English language training in both Aviation English and Business English. Implications for Training 8 4/19/2012

Implications for Training Since ViLLA provides a web-based program, there are natural limitations to having the students engage in conversation when only the computer is used. To fully meet the need for trainees to receive instruction in speaking and specific radiotelephony skills, ViLLA recommends a blended learning delivery model, which consists of a combination of online and classroom instruction, to maximize the benefit of the curriculum. 9 4/19/2012

Implications for Training  The classroom instruction is based on content contained in the online segments. In addition, a large percentage of the classroom instruction addresses radiotelephony skills needed by aviation personnel, in line with ICAO recommendations. 4/19/

Implications for Training ViLLA develop an innovative voice recognition technology for phonology and phraseology training. This development has provided a technological and economic challenge but has significantly strengthened the ViLLA curriculum. 11 4/19/2012

Implications for Training While it is challenging for any organization to have to adapt to a new set of international standards, in this particular case, the benefit of all these required changes and program improvements is safer skies for the flying public around the world. 12 4/19/2012

Possible Sampling Techniques A. Critical case sampling Individuals, groups, or sites use critical case sampling as an opportunity to understand a phenomenon of interest. (McMillan, 2011) 13 4/19/2012

Possible Sampling Techniques B. Extreme case sampling An extreme case is one that is unique or atypical, an outlier compared to most others in the category. (McMillan, 2011) 14 4/19/2012

Sampling techniques in an Aviation communications setting In using critical case sampling researcher could focus on communications from airports which have busy international traffic with a high volume of non-native English speaking pilots. The large volume of international traffic would make miscommunications due to language constraints or lack of English proficiency more liable than in airport facilities where international traffic is limited. A. Critical case sampling 15 4/19/2012

Sampling techniques in an Aviation communications setting Noble (1997) chose to use this approach when studying Japanese student pilots in uncontrolled airspace in California's. With this sampling technique, a study is not generalizable beyond the specific condition, in this instance region or ethnic group. B. Extreme case sampling 16 4/19/2012

Possible Theoretical Frameworks Functionalism 功能主義 Pragmatics 語用學 Interactional Sociolinguistics 互動社會語言學 Ethnomethodology 人種方法論 Conversation Analysis 話語分析 Discourse Analysis 言談分析 17 4/19/2012

The purpose of this study was to document standard discourse transactions between pilot and air traffic controllers (ATCs) at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, and also to analyze local variations. Interviews, observation, and examination of written material represent common needs analysis procedures that became systematized in the 1970s, mainly based on Munby’s (1978) Communicative Syllabus Design. 18 Case Study 4/19/2012

Results 19 Referred to as radiotelephony phraseology by aviation personnel, in linguistic and educational circles this code of speech is some times referred to as “Airspeak”, a term popularized by Robertson (1988) 19 4/19/2012

The Turkish setting Four types of controllers 20 The highest altitude responsibility is with Area Control, also called Center Control.(between and feet) Plane begins to descend, the pilot contacts Approach Control.(between and 3000 feet) (Airplane 3000 feet)The ATCs in Tower Control communicate with the pilot until the plane lands. communication is only with Ground Control

21 The ATCs in Area Control and Approach Control speak to the pilot by radio and follow the movement through a radar screen. The Tower and Ground Control ATCs, who share the same space in Istanbul, also speak by radio, but are usually in visual contact with the planes. In the control rooms, the ATCs sit closely together with their computer screens in front of them. 21 4/19/2012 The Turkish setting

22 Variation Researchers found that there was variation from the rules in the way number were pronounced, in the use of greetings and closings, and in the use of Turkish. In Airspeak, understanding numbers, which are used for identification, is crucial. ICAO rules state that numbers should be read individually. 4/19/2012

23. #666 read as ‘‘triple six’’ rather than ‘‘six six six;’’ #2211 read as ‘‘double two double one rather than ‘‘two two one one; ’’ Some of the differences in pronunciation of numbers may relate to ease of communication. 23 4/19/2012 Variation

Findings In this case, data from the study indicate that even though the ICAO specifies the rules for Airspeak and monitors the language, there are variations in local use. There is also a continued need to develop vocabulary and conversational English skills for these non-native speakers of English for use within the professional setting. 24 4/19/2012

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. 25 4/19/2012