Language proficiency

[caciara]

According your atco licence and EU 340/2015, which kind of language assessment you do to maintain your language competence?

[LookingForAJob]

Not sure exactly what you are looking for here, but the assessment has to be done in a manner that is approved by the competent authority (ATCO.B.040). I'm not sure if it says so specifically but presumably the competent authority you need to look at is the one which issued your licence. The guidance that goes with the law does not give an absolute or clear requirement so it is hard to say how it is done unless one has been through it (I haven't).

The guidance says that the assessment must evaluate the ability to communicate effectively using visual and non-visual means in both routine and non-routine situations and must include listening, speaking and interaction skills. An assessment for renewal of a licence endorsement can be done during training or whilst doing the job.

In the end, whether you like it or not, you will need to use an agency that has been approved by your competent authority and I suspect the standards of organisations approved in different countries around Europe will vary hugely.

HTH

[caciara]

I Know all of you described and so reported in EU 340/2015. I would like to know what do european ATCOs really do to maintain their 4th level...

[Red Dragon]

I think you'll find that a lot of ANSPs in Europe use ELPAC - the Eurocontrol assessment tool.

[caciara]

Thank you very much...I'll take a look

[caciara]

Nobody from France, Germany or Spain could say which kind of exam you get to
maintain your 4th level???

[Sonnendec]

Ciao caciara, in Spain we do a written and oral exam once every x years depending on getting an icao 4, 5 or 6 level result.

Its an exam conducted by external certified companies.

[caciara]

Thank you very much Sonnendec!! Nobody else within EASA area??

[Oubi]

I think the answer will be the same everywhere...
An interesting thing to know could be how to certify in the country's language... Not sure if some countries require a certificate.

[good egg]

I think it expires after 3 years? (Stand to be corrected)
But that’s a bill the employer will pick up
(Also stand to be corrected)

[Oubi]

Validity depends on the level you reach at the test.

[caciara]

Oibi where are you from? Have you an English training before to prepare you for the exam?
If you fail the exam for level 4, are you inhibited to continue your atco activity?

[1999]

Eurocontrol's ELPAC test applicable in Slovenia. And yes - one is inhibited to work as an ATCO, if it fails getting level 4.


1999

[caciara]

Thank you 1999! Have you any Language training to prepare for it?

[1999]

Caciara- yes our company organises preparations for the test. It's a 5 days "course" - it consists of a short grammar refresher, the rest is mostly life interaction and dialogue between teacher and students covering various subjects of our profession and the aviation as a whole.

1999

[caciara]

Thank you again 1999. I understand that you are prepared enough to pass the ELPAC test...It could be so interesting to know if everywhere else in Europe is the same...