‘The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place’ George Bernard Shaw
SayAgain helps all pilots and Air Traffic Controllers adapt to the life-long
career challenge of safe communication. It is designed for both licensed
operators and for students.
It is suitable for native and non-native speakers. www.SayAgainEnglish.com
Understand the human factors of communication
Train to meet the ICAO language requirements
Consider cultural-linguistic ‘blind spots’
Improve empathy towards international colleagues and the
challenges they face
Develop practical skills to adapt language so that it is better
understood
1
MODULES
Introduction
10
9
8
6
7
5
Pronunciation
& Accents
Rate of Speech
Readback &
Clarification
Simple
Transmissions
Vocabulary
Grammar
Human
Factors
Summary
3
2
1
4
10 MODULES
88% of ESL speakers say they find it more difficult to communicate
with native speakers than with other non-native speakers of
English.
“I think every non-native English speakers have had difficulty communicating with
native English speakers”
Vasil L. - Bulgarian controller
“I see these communication breakdowns at work every day”
Maria P. - Spanish controller
“I have experienced these problems many, many times, in my aviation career”
Stefano T. - Italian pilot
“The native speakers must understand aviation safety is about understanding and
being understood, so they also need a special training to achieve this”.
Zhao W. - Chinese pilot
THE TRAINING
ONLINE, SELF-STUDY, DURATION ~ 2 HOURS
The background
English is the default language of international aviation
The Language Proficiency Requirements have certainly improved matters but a
large part of the safe communication challenge is still outstanding ...
ICAO requires ALL personnel to:
Speak at the mandated rate of no more than 100 words per
minute
Stick to Standard Phraseology as much as possible
Speak in a way that can be understood by the international
aviation community
Use appropriately short transmissions
But neither group (native or non-native English speakers) currently
undergoes training or testing to ensure these requirements are
met.
The SayAgain training addresses these issues and also focuses
on the human factors involved in safe communication:
WHY we sometimes don't speak up when we should
WHY we sometimes speak too quickly
WHY we don't always ask for help when we need it
WHY some of us may feel 'superior' or 'inferior' because of
level of English
The training is self-paced and online - it takes approximately two
hours.
English is of course the language of international Aviation.
In 2008, ICAO introduced the Language Proficiency Requirements (commonly referred to as ICAO Level 4).
Non-native English speaking pilots and controllers must be formally tested and most are required to be re-
tested every 3-5 years.
Native English speakers are typically ‘signed off’ by other native speakers during flight checks.
Solutions
Recommendations for further improvement:
NON-NATIVE English speakers should:
•
Continue to improve their Aviation English. Where practical, they should aim for higher than the
minimum standard of ICAO Level 4
•
Become more assertive; have the confidence to speak out if there is a problem or they require help
NATIVE English speakers should:
•
Increase their empathy for non native English speakers and improve their understanding of the
challenges of working in a foreign language
•
Become more skilled Aviation English communicators, especially when dealing with non-native
speakers
‘Never assume the person
you're talking to has the
same level of
comprehension as you.
Stick to standard
phraseology (it exists for a
reason).’
Tommaso D. - Italian pilot
‘Native English speakers
should speak slowly, clear
with short sentences. They
don’t know how difficult
sometimes is for us to
understand them,
especially in USA and UK.’
Nuno P. - Portuguese
pilot
SayAgain helps all pilots and
Air Traffic Controllers adapt
to the life-long career
challenge of safe
communication. It is
designed for both licensed
operators and for students.
It is suitable for native and
non-native speakers.
www.SayAgainEnglish.com
Understand the human factors of
communication
Train to meet the ICAO language
requirements
Consider cultural-linguistic ‘blind spots’
Improve empathy towards international
colleagues and the challenges they face
Develop practical skills to adapt language so
that it is better understood
10 MODULES
88% of ESL speakers say they find it
more difficult to communicate
with native speakers than with
other non-native speakers of
English.
“I think every non-native English speakers
have had difficulty communicating with
native English speakers”
Vasil L. - Bulgarian controller
“I see these communication breakdowns at
work every day”
Maria P. - Spanish controller
“I have experienced these problems many,
many times, in my aviation career”
Stefano T. - Italian pilot
“The native speakers must understand
aviation safety is about understanding and
being understood, so they also need a special
training to achieve this”.
Zhao W. - Chinese pilot
THE TRAINING
ONLINE, SELF-STUDY, DURATION ~ 2 HOURS
The background
English is the default language of
international aviation
ICAO requires ALL personnel to:
Speak at the mandated rate of no more than
100 words per minute
Stick to Standard Phraseology as much as
possible
Speak in a way that can be understood by the
international aviation community
Use appropriately short transmissions
But neither group (native or non-native English
speakers) currently undergoes training or testing to
ensure these requirements are met.
The SayAgain training addresses these issues and
also focuses on the human factors involved in safe
communication:
WHY we sometimes don't speak up when we
should
WHY we sometimes speak too quickly
WHY we don't always ask for help when we
need it
WHY some of us may feel 'superior' or 'inferior'
because of level of English
The training is self-paced and online - it takes
approximately two hours.
English is of course the language of international
Aviation.
In 2008, ICAO introduced the Language Proficiency
Requirements (commonly referred to as ICAO Level
4).
Non-native English speaking pilots and controllers
must be formally tested and most are required to be
re-tested every 3-5 years.
Native English speakers are typically ‘signed off’ by
other native speakers during flight checks.
Solutions
Recommendations for further
improvement:
NON-NATIVE English speakers should:
•
Continue to improve their Aviation English. Where
practical, they should aim for higher than the
minimum standard of ICAO Level 4
•
Become more assertive; have the confidence to
speak out if there is a problem or they require help
NATIVE English speakers should:
•
Increase their empathy for non native English
speakers and improve their understanding of the
challenges of working in a foreign language
•
Become more skilled Aviation English
communicators, especially when dealing with non-
native speakers
‘Never assume the person
you're talking to has the
same level of
comprehension as you.
Stick to standard
phraseology (it exists for a
reason).’
Tommaso D. - Italian pilot
‘Native English speakers
should speak slowly, clear
with short sentences. They
don’t know how difficult
sometimes is for us to
understand them,
especially in USA and UK.’
Nuno P. - Portuguese
pilot
