INNOVATIVE TESTING TRENDS IN THE FIELD OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRAINING OF AVIATION PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the development and innovative trends of testing future and current aviation professionals. The process of implementing the Professional Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR) was examined and it was noted that many aviation language proficiency tests were developed and implemented by each entity providing educational services separately. Although they may have been developed in response to ICAO LPRs and followed the guidance material set out in ICAO Document 9835, there were differences in the interpretation of the main material, testing methods and, in fact, what is an effective LPR test tool. As a result, there were differences in testing standards and practices. The article highlights a number of issues that may call into question the long-term effectiveness of ICAO LPR foreign language training and aviation safety threat.
The article notes that aviation professional communication is becoming increasingly important, and methods of its preparation and verification appear to be relevant for scientific research. It was analyzed that the ICAO LPRs relate directly to the communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. The assessment of radiotelephone skills is central to ICAO’s LPR.
The article notifies that lack of consistency among LPR tests is a result of wide differences in test instrument design. Further, regulatory authorities do not yet have access to a common framework to evaluate LPR tests – a key initial step required to attempt to standardise LPR testing systems.
The article substantiated a number of key criteria as the main elements of the general testing system, which directly affect the effectiveness of the aviation English test. Each criterion plays a key role in how well the testing meets the objectives of the LPR and how overall the effectiveness of the testing is reliable and fair.
Key words: ICAO testing; foreign language training; ICAO LPR; pilot; ATC controller.