Malta Language Proficiency Requirements Implementation ICAO Workshop Rome

Malta Language Proficiency Requirements Implementation ICAO Workshop Rome 3 -5 March 2010

ICAO LPR Implementation • Did not present major difficulties. • Level of English Proficiency is high • Student learn English for at least 11 years (1500 hours classroom time) 2

Education System • Ensures at least proficiency level 4. • 82% Level 6, 16% Level 5, 2% Level 4 • Text books in almost all subjects are in English.

Awareness • Stakeholders are familiar with the ICAO language proficiency requirements (pilots, air traffic controllers, language teachers, regulators, etc. ) • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • PEL Notices issued to inform pilots, controllers, training organisations and operators - about the requirements. • Notices included information about the test. 4

Promulgation, legislation and responsibility (1) • ICAO language proficiency requirements (Amendment 164 to Annex 1) have been incorporated into national legislation • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • JAR-FCL Amendment 7 • Transposition of Directive 2006/23/EC on air traffic controller licences. 5

Promulgation, legislation and responsibility (2) • State has identified and approved the minimum level of language proficiency for ab initio training for ATCOs and pilots • Implementation Status – Pilots No / Air Traffic Controllers No • Level of English at school leaving age accepted to start ab inito training. • No difficulty to follow courses in English. 6

National coordinator(s) • State has nominated a contact person(s) within the State Authority, airline or ANSP(s) to be responsible for coordination of matters at the national level dealing with the implementation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Contact Person Nominated 7

National implementation plan • State has developed, approved, published on the ICAO web-page and is regularly updating the national plan of implantation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Malta has met ICAO deadline of 5 March 2008. • Letter sent to ICAO and published on the ICAO web site 8

English language training • English language training packages are in place to meet and maintain ICAO level 4 requirements • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • No additional English language training is required for locals to meet and maintain level 4. • English language training packages are in place foreign students and for locals who need to improve their language proficiency. 9

Resources for implementation • State has assessed and secured the resources needed to meet the ICAO language proficiency requirements • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Malta has the required resources. 10

Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) • State has selected and accredited at national level the following language proficiency tests • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Only one approved test in Malta. • Developed by the Authority with the help of language specialists and subject matter experts. 11

Language Proficiency test(1) • Language Specialist conducts one-to-one test and rates the applicant. • Language Specialist tests plain language only. • Phraseology is tested by an RT (operational) examiner. 12

Language Proficiency test(2) • Takes about 30 minutes. • Starts with audio recordings – pilot / controller. • Audio recordings have a variety of accents to enhance validity. • Aviation-related subjects • Part of the test is without visual cues. • Language Specialist can ask about a wide range of topics – not possible to memorise answers for the test. 13

Language Proficiency test(3) • In borderline cases the language specialists can request the assistance of a subject matter expert. 14

Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) • State has an approved programme of accreditation for testing personnel. • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • In Malta there are only 4 authorised language specialists (Raters). • Employed by the Authority. • Number sufficient for a total of 500 licences. 15

Rater Qualification • First degree (Bachelor’s) in English from the University of Malta or equivalent, or • First degree in Education with English as one of the main subjects • Familiar with language assessment and evaluation procedures and principles. 16

Rater Training (1) • ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements • Annex 1 as it relates to language proficiency • ICAO Manual on the implementation of language proficiency requirements • Sample audio assessments 17

Rater Training (2) • Training focussed on pilot operation • • Airplane and Flight Segment Terminology The Aircraft Structure, Aircraft components, Flight Controls, Flight Segments Duties in normal operations, Flight Phases, ATC Communication, Normal Procedures Abnormal Procedures Emergency Procedures, Work Load During Emergency Procedures, Task Sharing Accident Review Accidents and incidents where language was a factor. Ex: B 747 Accident in Tenerife 18

Rater Training (3) • Training focussed on ATC Operations • • • Air Traffic Control (an overview), Phraseology Different types of emergencies, Airspace and ATC sections, R/T communications with aircraft General requirements – fight plans/transponder codes… Overview of EUROCONTROL Document “Guidelines for controller training in the handling of unusual/emergency situations • Visits to: • • Aerodrome Control Approach Control Area Control Apron Control 19

Rater Training (4) • Familiarisation flight on a large transport aircraft • Final briefing on test procedure 20

Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) • Raters and interlocutors attend regular refresher courses to maintain standards • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Refresher training is being set up where all the raters share their experience with subject matter experts and receive refresher training on operational aspects. • No interlocutors are used. 21

Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) - 2 • What percentages of air traffic controllers and pilots in the State have already have achieved ICAO level 4 in language proficiency tests? • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Level 4 (+) Pilots 100% / Controllers 100%. • Tested by a Language Specialist Pilots 72% / Controllers 100% 22

Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) - 3 • What percentages of air traffic controllers and pilots in the State have already have achieved ICAO level 4 in language proficiency tests? • Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes • Pilots issued a temporary certificate are required to be tested by a language specialist by 4 March 2011. • Where tests by a language specialist have not yet been conducted the level 4 is based on previous assessments by an operational examiner - JAR-FCL 1. 005 (5) (B). 23

Summary • English is one of the two official languages. • Widely used and frequently practised. • Malta is compliant with the ICAO requirements.

From Transport Malta Thank you 25