ATCO.B.040 Assessment of language proficiency

GENERAL

(a)The language proficiency assessment should be designed to reflect the tasks undertaken by air traffic controllers, but with specific focus on language rather than operational procedures and knowledge.

(b)The assessment should determine the applicant’s ability to communicate effectively using visual and non-visual communication in both routine and non-routine situations.

ASSESSMENT

(a)The assessment should comprise the following three elements:

(1)listening — assessment of comprehension;

(2)speaking — assessment of pronunciation, fluency, structure and vocabulary;

(3)interaction.

(b)The switch between phraseology and plain language should be assessed for listening and speaking proficiency.

(c)When the assessment is not conducted in a face-to-face situation, it should use appropriate technologies for the assessment of the applicant’s abilities in listening and speaking, and for enabling interactions.

(d)In case of revalidation of the language proficiency endorsement, the assessment may be conducted during training activities or on operational position, with prior notification to the air traffic controller to be assessed.

(e)Irrespective of the way the assessment is organised, the requirements listed in (a) and (b) as well as the relevant provisions for language proficiency assessors should be met.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSORS

(a)Persons responsible for language proficiency assessment should be suitably trained and qualified.

(b)Language proficiency assessors should undergo regular refresher training on language assessment skills.

(c)Language proficiency assessors should not conduct language proficiency assessments whenever their objectivity may be affected.

CRITERIA FOR THE ACCEPTABILITY OF LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT BODIES

(a)A language assessment body should provide clear information about its organisation and its relationships with other organisations.

(b)If a language assessment body is also an air traffic controller training organisation, there should be a clear and documented separation between the two activities.

(c)The language assessment body should employ a sufficient number of qualified interlocutors and language proficiency assessors to administer the required tests.

(d)The assessment documentation should include at least the following:

(1)assessment objectives;

(2)assessment layout, timescale, technologies used, assessment samples, voice samples;

(3)assessment criteria and standards (at least for the operational, extended and expert levels of the rating scale in Appendix 1 to Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/340);

(4)documentation demonstrating the assessment validity, relevance and reliability for the operational and extended levels;

(5)documentation demonstrating the assessment validity, relevance and reliability for the expert level;

(6)procedures to ensure that language assessments are standardised within the language assessment body and in the ATC community;

(7)assessment procedures and responsibilities, such as: preparation of individual assessment; administration: location(s), identity check and invigilation, assessment discipline, confidentiality/security; reporting and documentation provided to the competent authority and/or to the applicant, including sample certificate; and retention of documents and records.

(8)The assessment documentation and records should be kept for a period of time determined by the competent authority and made available to the competent authority upon request. [applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2015/010/R]

(d)The assessment documentation should include at least the following:

(1)assessment objectives;

(2)assessment layout, timescale, technologies used, assessment samples, voice samples;

(3)assessment criteria and standards (at least for the operational, extended and expert levels of the rating scale in Appendix 1 to Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/340);

(4)documentation demonstrating the assessment validity, relevance and reliability for the operational, extended and expert levels;

(5)procedures to ensure that language assessments are standardised within the language assessment body and in the ATC community;

(6)assessment procedures and responsibilities, such as: preparation of individual assessment; administration: location(s), identity check and invigilation, assessment discipline, confidentiality/security; reporting and documentation provided to the competent authority and/or to the applicant, including sample certificate; and retention of documents and records.

(7)The assessment documentation and records should be kept for a period of time determined by the competent authority and made available to the competent authority upon request. [applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ASSESSORS

(a)Persons responsible for language proficiency assessment should be either aviation specialists (e.g. current or former air traffic controllers) or language specialists with additional aviation-related training. The preferred approach for an assessment would be to form a team consisting of an operational expert and a language expert.

(b)Language proficiency assessors should be trained in the requirements specific to the language proficiency assessment, and assessment and interlocution techniques.

Further information can be found in the ‘Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements’ (ICAO Doc 9835) and the Language Testing Criteria for Global Harmonization (ICAO Cir 318 AN/180). [applicable until 3 August 2024 - ED Decision 2015/010/R] Further information can be found in the ‘Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements’ (ICAO Doc 9835) and the ‘Language Testing Criteria for Global Harmonization’ (ICAO Cir 318 AN/180). [applicable from 4 August 2024 - ED Decision 2023/011/R]