English for Aviation Course

Aviation English

The ACET English for Aviation Course is designed to help people training to be pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals to reach the English skills requirements as specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These courses are specifically designed to assist aviation organisations and individuals in achieving the mandatory ICAO level 4.

This intensive course consists of a combination of General English and English for Aviation and aims to develop the learner’s overall English as well as the skills required to achieve ICAO level 4 (Operational), equivalent to IELTS 5.5/6 or CEFR B2.

The General English component focuses on developing vocabulary range and control, receptive and productive skills as well as pronunciation and interactive communication. Aviation English can be built upon proficiency in general English and learners entering the aviation industry with a high level of proficiency in general English find it easier to acquire the specialized English vocabulary and phraseologies needed.

The English for Aviation component will develop the language and communication skills required by ICAO. Aviation English includes the ‘plain language’ used for radio communications as well as the English needed by pilots for briefings, announcements, and flight deck communication; or the language used by maintenance technicians, flight attendants, dispatchers, or managers and officials within the aviation industry. The topics include: abbreviations, acronyms, flight behaviour, cargo, merchandise, packaging, materials, geography, nationalities, health, modality, numbers, senses, technology, transport, climate, natural disasters etc.

ACET uses:

Oral practice with special focus on pronunciation, fluency and accuracy.
Realistic role plays and simulations from pre-flight to line-up.
Listening extracts with a mix of native and non-native speaker accents.
Routine and non-routine phraseology and vocabulary for aviation situations.
Closed Groups Only

ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements

ICAO Doc 9835 states that pilots, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators shall demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the language used for radiotelephony communications to the level specified in the Appendix.

The six descriptors are:

Pronunciation
Structure
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension
Interaction

What our students say

Cork is a lovely city with kind people, despite the lockdown I have enjoyed a nice and natural environment. I recommend going to visit all the parks, The English Market, Blarney Stone, Blackrock Castle Observatory and some Cathedrals. I have been to class with three ACET teachers and the classes are very productive, professional and fun. I can really say I have improved my English a lot thanks to them. Ireland is a good choose to learn English because it is very safe country, there are many young people, many job opportunities and they have Euro.

Andrea Martínez

"Cork is a beautiful city. I like the cultural diversity. I recommend visiting the English market, The Oliver Plunkett, Cobh and Fitzgerald's Park. My teachers at the school are very professional and attentive to our needs. The administration team are professional. There are a lot of positive vibes from studying at ACET."

Melanie Dubigny