A working paper - "Selecting a language proficiency test to meet ICAO language proficiency requirements" - was presented to the Second ICAO Aviation Language Symposium in Montreal in May 2007. The same paper is being incorporated into the second edition of the ICAO document 9835 - Manual on the Implementation  of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements.

To view the paper, click here.

See also: FAQ/General/"What should I look for when selecting or developing a test?"

The European Region of ICAO has developed an action plan to assist States in implementing the ICAO language proficiency requirements. This plan is constantly updated by the ICAO COG ATM Training Task Force.

To view the latest version of the plan click here

For information about ICAO′s 2nd Aviation Language Symposium (May 2007) go to:

http://www.icao.int/icao/en/anb/meetings/ials2/index.html

The FAQ pages will provide information pertaining to the ICAO language proficiency requirements and their application to pilots and controllers.
 

ICAO′s COG ATM Training Task Force has developed recommended qualifications for raters and interlocutors to meet ICAO language proficiency requirements. The qualifications apply to any language proficiency test used for this purpose. These recommendations were presented to EANPG 48 (November 28 - 30 2006) and published as Appendices to the final report.

EANPG Conclusion 48/31 states:

That States be invited to use the recommended qualification and competency requirements for raters and interlocutors in order to ensure that personnel responsible for interlocuting and rating comply with the minimum professional qualifications necessary for accurate assessment of the language proficiency of air traffic controllers and pilots.

To view the ICAO recommended qualifications for raters click here

To view the ICAO recommended qualifications for interlocutors click here

NOTE:
There are two examiners in the ELPAC Test Paper 2 (Oral Interaction). Both examiners interlocute and rate, thus the requirement for ELPAC examiners is language proficiency in English at ICAO level 6.

Whether you want to develop your own test or buy a proprietary brand that is commercially available you should be asking a number of pertinent questions. ICAO′s PRICE Study Group has produced a task list for the management of test development, design and administration. Although not a definitive document this paper does nonetheless give some guidance in what to look for, and what questions to ask when determining the best way to meet ICAO language proficiency requirements.

Click here to view ICAO′s guideline document.

See also: FAQ/General/"How do I select a test to meet ICAO LPR?"
 

Not at the present time. National Supervisory Authorities (NSAs) will have to co-ordinate with their Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) over any test(s) selected to meet ICAO language proficiency requirements. Licensing authorities will be responsible for the issuing of ATC Licences with the appropriate language endorsement(s).

The ICAO Assembly at its 36th session on 26th October 2007 passed a resolution (A36-II) urging States who are not in a position to comply with the language proficiency requirements (March 5th 2008) to post their implementation plans on the ICAO website.

States must meet the language proficiency requirements by 5th March 2011 and take action to mitigate risks during this transition period (2008-2011).

Action by States can be accessed through the FSIX website: http://www.icao.int/fsix
 

No. Although the language proficiency requirements stated in the EC Directive on a Community Air Traffic Controller Licence apply equally to the student ATC Licence, and must be demonstrated BEFORE a student licence is granted, it must be understood that there is too much operational ATC language context in ELPAC. This would be neither appropriate nor fair to an inexperienced trainee controller who has only limited practical (simulator) ATC experience.

EUROCONTROL has developed a version of ELPAC specifically for student controllers - ELPACST.

ELPACST was trialled extensively in 2008/09 with over 400 student controllers. Test versions were released in January 2010.
 

Anyone who has an (ICAO) ATC Licence is required to demonstrate language proficiency (see ICAO Annex 1). As FIS are communicating with pilots it will be up to individual NSAs to decide on this issue depending on the extent of communications and whether or not FIS personnel require a licence under ICAO Annex 1.

Yes. ELPAC  is an English language proficiency test designed to meet ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR). It has been developed by EUROCONTROL (the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation) on the basis of a needs analysis and study of speaking strategies and language functions of aeronautical communication.  ELPAC meets not only ICAO LPR at level 4 (operational) and level 5 (extended) but also the English language proficiency requirements as established in the EC’s Directive on a Community ATC Licence

In the future, when moving to an English only operational environment, a new needs analysis might be desirable in order to ensure full coverage of all safety related professional communications.
 

ELPAC - English Language Proficiency for Aeronautical Communication – a language proficiency test for air traffic controllers, developed by EUROCONTROL.
The ELPAC Test is available to Air Navigation Service Providers and National Regulatory Authorities of EUROCONTROL′s Member States.