Emirates Aviation College wins GCAA approval to offer Aviation English Language courses

By March 2008, pilots and air traffic controllers involved in international air navigation worldwide will be required to meet the minimum aviation English language proficiency level required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The college, in collaboration with RMIT English Worldwide - Australia, is offering pilots and air traffic controllers the RMIT English Language Test for Aviation (RELTA), which evaluates proficiency under six criteria - pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interactions.

The Aviation English Training programme is offered in accordance with ICAO standards and assists states in conducting the necessary training and assessments to ensure that their pilots and air traffic controllers meet the required proficiency level.

Mohammed Al Budoor, the college's Vice-Chancellor, said: "We are delighted to offer this English language proficiency programme and test to the pilot and air traffic controller community throughout the region.

"The college has worked with the GCAA in the development and implementation of the test and we have met their standards and specifications for the Approval status."

The courses are designed to help candidates acquire the required language proficiency in aviation English and ICAO radio telephony phraseology to meet the ICAO Operational Level - 4 or higher. The course duration is six weeks or 12 weeks, depending on the applicant's entry language proficiency.