English training in the French Air Force Helene

English training in the French Air Force Helene Mourey, French air force Annual BILC Conference Bruges – May 2014

Our mission : Make sure English training answers both professional and operational needs. Our motto : No training, no assessment.

French air force standards NATO linguistic standards : STANAG 6001 All air force personnel European linguistic standards Airworthiness FRA 147, FRA 66 Aircraft maintenance technicians International linguistic standards : ICAO standards Pilots and ATCs Other linguistic requirements : EATC, EUFOR, cooperation agreements …

OUR CHALLENGE Answer those questions : What is military English ? What is professional English ? To what extent can professional English (eg aviation English) be considered as part of military English ? Can standards be compared ?

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Military basic / academic training Specialty / occupational training In-service / continuous training Who? Military trainees (cadets, NCOs, airmen) What? General English training Where? In military academy and schools. Objective? Make sure students have the skills in general English to take the specific English training. Who? Air force specialist trainees. Who? All Air force personnel What? Specific English training. What? English training through the career Where? In branch schools centres. Where? Local centres & specialised language training centre E-learning. Objective? Teach trainees the specialised English required in their professional field (aeronautic and radiotelephony English, combat English …) Objective? Help the personnel maintain skills in both professional and operational English.

OUR EXPERTS Specialised language training centre (CLAS) in Tours Expertise in all types of specialised English linked to aeronautic environment English teacher training NATO accredited assessment centre (NATO assessment up to level 4) + other standard assessment (technical & aeronautical English).

ASSESSMENT Internal assessment based on the STANAG 6001 (SLPs up to level 4) CFIAR being a reference (French representative to the BILC) Other professional assessment (eg Flight crew licensing based on ICAO standards) Other internal assessments (eg aircraft maintenance technicians)

OUR TEACHING TOOLS … Specialised books and dictionaries (Aviation English, Campaign …) multimedia labs & softwares (pronunciation / listening / online placement tests) aircraft maintenance and radiotelephony training softwares documents from the Jadl our teachers’ goodwill and creativity …!

OPS TALK Every two years, the French air force organises an aeronautic and operational English seminar in Tours.

Helene Mourey French air force human resources directorate, Tours. helene. mourey@intradef. gouv. fr (0033) 2 47 85 84 14