English skills and FAA/JAA training
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English skills and FAA/JAA training
Hi everybody
I'm planning to do a training in US/Uk training centers.
Everybody knows that most of 'french' people don't have enough skills in foreign language.
Do you think i'm crazy to do my training in UK or the States (technical words, briefings, ground school).
For example when i listen to the live radio on the net, i understand approximately half of what the speaker says.
I think i can follow a conversation with one person.
But in the case of ground school, the instructor wouldn't decrease the speed because there's a guy between 20 students who doesn't have enough skills.
Before starting my training, will you think that one mounth of 'total immersion' is enough ?
I'm not interested in doing my training in France because English (or American) is the international language for all Professional pilot. In 2008, in JAA ATPL especially France, future pilots must have very good english levels.
Thanks for your replies / remarks.
Fab01
I'm planning to do a training in US/Uk training centers.
Everybody knows that most of 'french' people don't have enough skills in foreign language.
Do you think i'm crazy to do my training in UK or the States (technical words, briefings, ground school).
For example when i listen to the live radio on the net, i understand approximately half of what the speaker says.
I think i can follow a conversation with one person.
But in the case of ground school, the instructor wouldn't decrease the speed because there's a guy between 20 students who doesn't have enough skills.
Before starting my training, will you think that one mounth of 'total immersion' is enough ?
I'm not interested in doing my training in France because English (or American) is the international language for all Professional pilot. In 2008, in JAA ATPL especially France, future pilots must have very good english levels.
Thanks for your replies / remarks.
Fab01
Join Date: Jan 2003
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A few years ago I started my flight training in an English speaking country. I could manage written English quite well while expressing myself and my ability to understand someone speaking was ok but far from top notch. Apart from some "say agains" on the radio in the beginning of my training it wasn't really any problem. You will improve your English quite fast if you use the language on an everyday basis. Today, I am better off to describe a technical term related to aviation in English as opposed to my native language.
Judging by your post your written English is good. I think that you will have no problem with your language. After a month or two in an English speaking country you will probably have improved your oral English considerably. By the way, many of the radio speakers, especially in the US, are trying to hit some world record in speaking as fast as possible and preferably in an inarticulated way!
However, understanding French...
Judging by your post your written English is good. I think that you will have no problem with your language. After a month or two in an English speaking country you will probably have improved your oral English considerably. By the way, many of the radio speakers, especially in the US, are trying to hit some world record in speaking as fast as possible and preferably in an inarticulated way!
However, understanding French...
Join Date: May 2005
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I am italian and training in the Uk, I was as afraid as you possibly are but once I came here I had no problems. According to what I read in your post you will really be fine, don't worry.
You English looks pretty good...
Cheers
You English looks pretty good...
Cheers
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Hello Fab01,
I really wouldn't worry yourself in regards to your English as from reading what you have written in your post above I believe you have a good grasp upon the English language. Indeed your post is written pretty well especially when it is compared to posts from myself and I should know better.
When it comes to live radio I would also like to say that some presenters do speak rather quickly. Even I have problems keeping up with some American Radio stations and I'm a native Englishman. Or rather Welshman.
As my first (and I am sorry to say only) language is English I do not have the insight into learning to fly by using a second or even third language. However I have spoken to many people at a school in America who said they had the same worry as yourself but wondered why they were initially worried as they had no problems at all.
They also said that by living and disciplining yourself to use the English language whilst training, you will considerably improve your understanding and command of the English language.
All the best.
Charlie Zulu.
I really wouldn't worry yourself in regards to your English as from reading what you have written in your post above I believe you have a good grasp upon the English language. Indeed your post is written pretty well especially when it is compared to posts from myself and I should know better.
When it comes to live radio I would also like to say that some presenters do speak rather quickly. Even I have problems keeping up with some American Radio stations and I'm a native Englishman. Or rather Welshman.
As my first (and I am sorry to say only) language is English I do not have the insight into learning to fly by using a second or even third language. However I have spoken to many people at a school in America who said they had the same worry as yourself but wondered why they were initially worried as they had no problems at all.
They also said that by living and disciplining yourself to use the English language whilst training, you will considerably improve your understanding and command of the English language.
All the best.
Charlie Zulu.
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I don't think you will have any problems, from what you wrote, I would say you are fine. But if its keeping you up at night thinking about it, then go take a course of study in english, three to six months will do. If that much. The best way to improve in a language, is to speak it with somebody that speaks it. I'm learning russian myself, for no other reason than because I want to. Books tapes dvd's and the rest is all well and fine, but having a girl friend that is a native russian speaker, is making it some what easier. The Greek alphabet is giving me headaches at this time.
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Hi !.
Welcome back !!
I wrote the post alone without any help. According to me it's quite easier to write something and quite difficult to understand conversation . You think my post is quite good but my vocabular and grammar are quite 'light'.
I read actually the assimil method 'americain sans peine' may be in english 'American language without efforts'.
Do you know a better method or book ?
One day i'm wondering if it is useful to buy all the british GS ' books before starting the ground school. But it's quite expensive (about 3000 €).
The biggest problem is how to find somebody which mother's tongue is English. I'm not far Geneva, work in Lausanne, live in France but in those areas, the French is the common used language. If someone's interseted in correponding with me, it will be a great pleasure.
Martin, where are you from ? Would you want some French exercises ?
Thanks a lot for your help. Have a nice day.
see you later (not alligator)
Tchô !!
Welcome back !!
I wrote the post alone without any help. According to me it's quite easier to write something and quite difficult to understand conversation . You think my post is quite good but my vocabular and grammar are quite 'light'.
I read actually the assimil method 'americain sans peine' may be in english 'American language without efforts'.
Do you know a better method or book ?
One day i'm wondering if it is useful to buy all the british GS ' books before starting the ground school. But it's quite expensive (about 3000 €).
The biggest problem is how to find somebody which mother's tongue is English. I'm not far Geneva, work in Lausanne, live in France but in those areas, the French is the common used language. If someone's interseted in correponding with me, it will be a great pleasure.
Martin, where are you from ? Would you want some French exercises ?
Thanks a lot for your help. Have a nice day.
see you later (not alligator)
Tchô !!
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Buy some English speaking movies on DVD. Just make sure that you can play them in your DVD as well (there are different regions but some DVD players can play them all). In Europe you should be able to find none-dubbed movies in apart from the UK and Ireland - The Netherlands and the Nordic countries. On most none-dubbed DVD's you can choose English sublines as well.
I don't know if I would have bought those books in advance. If you do, try to find them second hand and it shouldn't cost you more than something in the region of €300. What I do recommend is to buy the Oxford Meteorology cd-rom. That CD will give you good practice in understanding spoken English as well as learning meteorology. If you know that CD well you should be able to pass the corresponding JAR ATPL subject.
I'm from Sweden where the movies aren't dubbed (thankfully!). I hardly know French so any exercises would probably not help much. Thanks anyway.
I don't know if I would have bought those books in advance. If you do, try to find them second hand and it shouldn't cost you more than something in the region of €300. What I do recommend is to buy the Oxford Meteorology cd-rom. That CD will give you good practice in understanding spoken English as well as learning meteorology. If you know that CD well you should be able to pass the corresponding JAR ATPL subject.
I'm from Sweden where the movies aren't dubbed (thankfully!). I hardly know French so any exercises would probably not help much. Thanks anyway.
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Martin thanks for your replies,
In fact you advise me to see english movies with subtitle.
I tried to do follow this method long time ago but i'm wondering now if it is efficient. I just think that i read subtitles but does my memory listen or record the voice on thse movies ?
If you hardly know french i just say 'bonne chance pour la suite et peut être à un de ces 4 sur le plus beau bureau du monde'. How can i translate this sentence in english ? may be 'Good luck for the next and see you later on the most beautiful office in the world'
Martin do you have a job ? --> PM me about it.
Cheers
In fact you advise me to see english movies with subtitle.
I tried to do follow this method long time ago but i'm wondering now if it is efficient. I just think that i read subtitles but does my memory listen or record the voice on thse movies ?
If you hardly know french i just say 'bonne chance pour la suite et peut être à un de ces 4 sur le plus beau bureau du monde'. How can i translate this sentence in english ? may be 'Good luck for the next and see you later on the most beautiful office in the world'
Martin do you have a job ? --> PM me about it.
Cheers
The Cooler King
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fab01
The best way to use DVDs to learn English is to watch the film a couple of times in the following order.
First time: Watch the movie in French with no subtitles, so that you know what it is all about and get a 'feel' for the atmosphere of it.
Second time: Watch it in English with NO subtitles. Just watch it to teach your ear the sound of the language and you will be amazed at how much you will understand.
Third Time: Watch the movie in English with ENGLISH subtitles.
Again, this is all about teaching your brain to recognise the sounds and rhythm of the language.
Also, it would be a good help for you to go to www.liveatc.net and just leave it on in the background on your computer.
Pick a US airport so that you can get used to the accents and the procedures - they are different from JAA
These are the methods I use for teaching French pilots before they leave the regionals.
If you need any more advice, you can PM me.
Regards
Farrell
The best way to use DVDs to learn English is to watch the film a couple of times in the following order.
First time: Watch the movie in French with no subtitles, so that you know what it is all about and get a 'feel' for the atmosphere of it.
Second time: Watch it in English with NO subtitles. Just watch it to teach your ear the sound of the language and you will be amazed at how much you will understand.
Third Time: Watch the movie in English with ENGLISH subtitles.
Again, this is all about teaching your brain to recognise the sounds and rhythm of the language.
Also, it would be a good help for you to go to www.liveatc.net and just leave it on in the background on your computer.
Pick a US airport so that you can get used to the accents and the procedures - they are different from JAA
These are the methods I use for teaching French pilots before they leave the regionals.
If you need any more advice, you can PM me.
Regards
Farrell
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English language
Hi Guys,
My step-daughter is a well qualified and experienced teacher of english as a foreign language and is back from 15 months teaching english in China. she may be able to help and if you are interested contact me at Bristol Groundschool, email address is [email protected].
Baz Hamblin
My step-daughter is a well qualified and experienced teacher of english as a foreign language and is back from 15 months teaching english in China. she may be able to help and if you are interested contact me at Bristol Groundschool, email address is [email protected].
Baz Hamblin
