Training implications of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation): language proficiency requirements

Recent amendments to ICAO annexes, following proposals made by the PRICE (Proficiency Requirements in Common English) Study Group, can be expected to have a profound impact on the conduct of language training within the aviation community. The principal phases of training to be examined separately Are (i) recruitment, (ii) ab initio training, and (Hi) maintenance (or recurrent) training. While the training policy for each phase will be governed by factors that relate to national, institutional or professional particularities, the new ICAO requirements will ensure that language training courses around the world will share common features. These training courses will need to be specified in terms of five principal features -objectives, syllabus, methodology, resources, and structure. This presentation will outline each of these features, and, in conclusion, will point to some of the possible spin-offs and challenges that are implied by these amendments.