EALTS Testing System Manual

English for Aviation Language Testing System

ICAO 295 LAN TST

EALTS Examiner Minimum Professional Requirements

A Introduction
ICAO Policy on Language Proficiency Testing
Recommended minimum qualifications for all examiners (assessors and interlocutors) were developed by the Co-
ordinating Group Air Traffic Management (COG ATM) Training Task Force of ICAO in Montreal in March 2006.
These recommended minimum qualifications apply to those examining under any language proficiency testing
system used for the purpose of assessing language to meet the ICAO 2008 language proficiency requirements.
The EALTS adopts these recommended minimum qualifications as minimum standards for its examiners and
combines them with further qualification requirements developed by the EALTS Examiner Unit. These
qualifications are listed below.
B General Minimum Professional Requirements
The minimum professional requirements for EALTS examiners with Aviation Operational Expertise (AOE) (as both
assessors and interlocutors) are as follows:
 radiotelephony experience as flight crew, air traffic controller, or aeronautical station operator:
 experience in aeronautical operations and procedures as flight crew, air traffic controller, or
aeronautical station operator;
 working knowledge of current practices as flight crew, air traffic controller, or aeronautical station
operator; and,
 language proficiency appropriate to the examination (EALT / ELSA), including clear diction (see below).
The minimum general requirements for EALTS examiners with Language Specialist Expertise (LSE) (as both
assessors and interlocutors) are as follows:
 education to a first degree level or equivalent;*
 a recognised TESOL qualification;*
 at least three year’s full time, relevant teaching experience;
 age over 25 and under the national retirement age on appointment; and,
 language proficiency appropriate to the examination (EALT / ELSA), including clear diction (see below).
* An applicant may be exempted from either the first degree or equivalent requirement or the formal teaching qualifications
requirement (but not both) if considerable relevant teaching experience can be demonstrated and supported by positive
references.

C Examination Specific Minimum Professional Requirements

C1 Specific Minimum Professional Requirements for EALTS Assessors (EALT and ELSA)
EALTS Assessor with Aviation Operational Expertise (AOE)
 language Proficiency at ICAO Level 6;
 familiarity with aeronautical radiotelephony communications and aviation language; and,
 successful completion of initial and recurrent training.
EALTS Assessor with Language Specialist Expertise (LSE)
 language Proficiency at ICAO Level 6;
 familiarity with aeronautical radiotelephony communications and aviation language; and,
 successful completion of initial and recurrent training.
Thus for all ICAO ELSA assessors, with either AOE or LSE, the level of the English language proficiency (speaking
and listening) shall be proved by a certificate/diploma such as one of the following or an equivalent:
 The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (Academic Module with a
minimum of 9.0 for speaking and listening);
 The Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) examination (grade A);
 Recognised ICAO Expert Level 6 assessment;
 Common European Framework (CEF) level C2 assessment (speaking and listening).
Any certificate/diploma shall be accompanied by proof that language proficiency has been actively
maintained.
Note: The above mentioned qualifications are only applicable to interlocutors whose first language is not English.

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C2 Specific Minimum Professional Requirements for EALTS Interlocutors

EALT
Minimum requirements for EALT interlocutors with Aviation Operational Expertise (AOE)
 radiotelephony experience as flight crew, air traffic controller or aeronautical station operator;
 minimum proficiency at ICAO Level 5; and,
 successful completion of initial and recurrent interlocutor training.
EALT interlocutors with Aviation Operational Expertise (AOE) shall:
 demonstrate proficiency in English at ICAO Level 5 or above;
 have recent experience in teaching Aviation English or operational experience as flight crew, air traffic
controller or aeronautical station operator;
 have successfully completed a training course in oral proficiency examination and testing systems,
particularly in interlocution procedures based on the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale; and,
 pass an annual refresher course to maintain standards in interlocution techniques.
Minimum requirements for EALT interlocutors with Language Specialist Expertise (LSE)
 experience or training in aviation language instruction;
 minimum proficiency at ICAO Level 5; and,
 successful completion of initial and recurrent interlocutor training.
EALT interlocutors with Language Specialist Expertise shall prove their English language proficiency level
(speaking, listening, reading and writing) by a certificate/diploma such as one of the following or an equivalent:
 University degree in Applied Linguistics in English;
 The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (Academic Module with an
average score of 6.5 or above, including a minimum of 7.0 for speaking and listening);
 Recognised ICAO Extended Level 5 assessment (or above)
 The Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) examination (grade C or above);
 Common European Framework (CEF) level C1 and above.
Any certificate/diploma shall be accompanied by proof that language proficiency has been actively
maintained.
Note: Above mentioned qualifications are only applicable to interlocutors whose first language is not English.
Specific Minimum Professional Requirements for ELSA Interlocutors
Minimum requirements for ELSA interlocutors with AOE or LSE
If a test is designed specifically to assess ICAO Expert Level 6 candidates, then the interlocutor should also be at
ICAO Expert Level 6. (ICAO Minimum Requirements, Montreal 2006)

For all ICAO ELSA examiners, with either AOE or LSE, the level of the English language proficiency (speaking and
listening) shall be proved by a certificate/diploma such as one of the following or an equivalent:
 The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (Academic Module with a
minimum of 9.0 for speaking and listening);
 The Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) examination (grade A);
 Recognised ICAO Expert Level 6 assessment;
 Common European Framework (CEF) level C2 assessment (speaking and listening).
Any certificate/diploma shall be accompanied by proof that language proficiency has been actively
maintained.
Note: The above mentioned qualifications are only applicable to interlocutors whose first language is not English.
All interlocutors of the ICAO ELSA and the EALT (both those with AOE and those with LSE) shall demonstrate
experience and/or proficiency in conducting spoken assessments.

Language Testing and Assessment Services / MLS 8, Verulam Place

English for Aviation Language Testing System Bournemouth
EALTS Examiner Recruitment Dorset
EALTS Examiner Unit BH1 1DW
United Kingdom
Telephone: (+44) (0)1202 291556
E-mail admin@mls-college.co.uk

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