Margaret,lets bung them in a simulator is on the face of it a fine idea BUT these are people who are VERY VERY VERY wet behind the ears who have most likely NEVER done anything beyond the very basic aerodrome course .The nuances of holds etc would regretably go way above their heads .I am one of the poor sods who gets them straight from Bournemouth and I have to be honest and say that it is at times difficult for them to translate what they learned in the ATC simulator into what goes on in the real world! By all means encourage a deeper understanding of PILOT/ATC interfaces but lets do that in the context of proper familiarisation flights and courses(such as those which were held at Cranebank on proper simulators with proper relevant trainers)at a later stage of their training . Certainly encourage them to experience the thrill of flying BUT lets make it relevant for everyones sake .