81830 - Aviation English Laboratory

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be able to demonstrate the language skills of vocabulary, listening comprehension and structures that characterize the English Language as it relates to air traffic controllers and pilots. It will allow the student to gain a better understanding of the particular aviation environment that pilots and controllers operate in on a daily bases and during unusual, non-routine and emergency situations in an airport and radar setting.

Through the knowledge gained, the student will be able to understand and discuss the subject matter intelligently in order to represent and act upon certain objects and situations.

Course contents

The course will be divided into 8 topics related to the aviation field as seen through the prospective of an air traffic controller or pilot. Each topic will be discussed in the classroom and then supplemented by mandatory online material. The following topics will be covered:

Airports – structures, facilities, characteristics, phraseology

Equipment – aircraft instrumentation, aircraft equipment, tower equipment, radar equipment

Navigation – types

Aircraft – types, parts

Fire – engine, onboard

Meteorology – adverse weather and effects

Approach/Landing – types

Fuel – associated problems

Pressure - associated problems

Readings/Bibliography

There is no required course book but a recommended self-study book that covers many of the topics covered in the course is “Check Your Aviation English” by Henery Emery and Andy Roberts, published by Mc Millan, ISBN 978-3190628841. It provides additional listening comprehension and speaking practice with some vocabulary exercises. The classroom didactic material consists of slide show presentations developed mainly from ICAO, Eurocontrol, EASA and ENAV publications. The online material (videos, audios and worksheets) originates from various sources.

Teaching methods

The delivery is done through a “blended” teaching method. This method employs classroom and e-learning material to better enhance the learning experience and knowledge gained. The classroom lessons provide close interaction between students and teacher while the online material enhances the classroom lessons by providing case studies, listening comprehension exercises and extra vocabulary. The teacher will monitor the completion of the online material and give feedback when appropriate. The teaching consists of 26 hours of classroom lessons and online material.

Assessment methods

There will be a written and oral exam at the end of the course to assess if the student has met the expected learning outcomes. It will cover all the topics discussed in class and online. A “pass” or “fail” mark will be given. Completion of the online quizzes with a 60% pass mark on each quiz and completing all quizzes at least 24 hours before the exam are prerequisites to sitting the exam.The exam may be conducted online or in person.

The exam is divided into 2 parts:

1. A written exam consisting of 30 multiple choice questions.

2. An oral exam assessing the student’s understanding and ability to discuss the proposed topic using specific aviation vocabulary and language.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, PowerPoint Presentations, e-learning

Office hours

See the website of Michael Richard Ferrario