What is the CAA International English for Aviation Language Testing System (EALTS)?

The CAA International English for Aviation Language Testing System (EALTS) is an internationally recognised test of English language proficiency in the context of aviation specifically developed in response to the ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements and their supporting Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). It has been developed by subject matter experts, language training specialists and language assessment specialists in full compliance with ICAO guidelines as an on-demand comprehensive test of non-native speaker language proficiency in the context of aviation and aeronautical communications in which the demonstration of a candidate’s actual listening and speaking ability is required.

EALTS is a multi-level language proficiency assessment for air traffic controllers, commercial flight crew and recreational pilots The CAA International EALTS is an on-demand, multi-level English for Aviation language testing system designed to assess language proficiency at all levels of the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale (LPRS) (Pre-Elementary Level 1 to Expert Level 6). The Testing System assesses the English language skills of speaking and listening in the context of aviation and aeronautical radio-telephone communications.

There is no pass mark as such. Rather candidates are awarded a rating within one of the six levels contained in the Scale in each of its discrete six features of language: pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and interactions. Candidates receive an overall rating equivalent to that of the lowest rating achieved across the Scale.

The achievement of a result at Level 4 (Operational) or above in the EALTS serves as an officially approved evidence of the attainment of the required level of language proficiency for the purposes of radio-telephone communication in the context of international civil aviation as specified and approved for aviation licensing purposes by Colombia’s “Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronautica Civil”.

The role of CAA International (CAAi)

Promoting the development of safer air transport on a global scale

The CAA International was established in 2007 as a subsidiary of the UK Civil Aviation Authority with the primary objective of incorporating, continuing and expanding the activities of the International Services Department of the CAA in the provision of independent expert advice and services to clients worldwide to assist in the enhancement of aviation safety.

The CAA International now provides consultancy, training and assessment services based on the expertise within the four operating groups of the CAA, to aviation administrations, governments, commercial organisations and international funding agencies in over 140 countries. In the provision of its services, the CAA International seeks to assist its clients in the development and implementation of effective and up to date regulations, procedures and practices, ensuring the establishment of the necessary robust systems required to satisfy international safety oversight obligations.

Through its Examination Service, CAA International manages a comprehensive range of examinations and assessments covering all aspects of flight crew and air traffic controller competency. With a tradition of over three decades of quality assured oversight and regulation of aviation industry examinations, the Examination Service offers support to Civil Aviation Administrations who wish to issue or endorse their own professional licenses and ratings, but who may have neither the intention nor the required resources to develop their own testing systems. The experienced professionals of the CAA international, supported by its world-class systems, are able to produce examinations to meet clients’ demands, and to turn around results within stringent timescales.

With aviation safety at stake, CAA International is committed to providing examinations of the highest possible quality. This commitment is supported by extensive experience and expertise, by a rigorous set of procedures established in the production of test items and test papers, by the continuous monitoring of marking, assessments and ratings and by a considerable programme of research and evaluation. In response to the March 2008 ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements and the demands of the aviation industry, the CAA International English for Aviation Language Testing System (EALTS) has been added to this Examination Service.

Specifically designed to assist states with the operation of their own national licensing system in relation to English language proficiency endorsements, the CAA International EALTS offers a valid, reliable and quality-assured assessment of language proficiency in compliance with all published ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

The EALTS is a CAA International Testing System, developed and administered in association with Language Testing and Assessment Services (LTAS). CAA International Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) established by the UK CAA to provide independent expert consultancy, training and assessment services to international clients based on the expertise within its four operating Groups: Safety Regulation, Economic Regulation, Consumer Protection and Airspace Policy.

The EALTS sits within the Examination Services portfolio of the Civil Aviation Authority International and offers a gold standard English for Aviation language proficiency assessment service worldwide to regulatory authorities, airline operators, air navigation service providers, flight and ATC training centres, as well as to individual ATCOs and pilots – both commercial and private.

While the Civil Aviation Authority International is responsible for overall Quality Management Systems oversight of the EALTS, Civil Aviation Authority International has nominated LTAS as the administrator of the EALTS on its behalf. Within this agreement, Civil Aviation Authority International and LTAS jointly share responsibilities in the English for Aviation Language Testing System support processes such as management and business planning, business development, marketing services, quality assurance and stakeholder management, with LTAS taking principal responsibility in the day-to-day production, management and administration of the EALTS and all associated services.

The CAA International EALTS provides:

• valid, reliable tests of plain English language in the context of aviation
• an adaptive and adaptable direct test of proficiency in the skills of listening and speaking
• a portable and practical Testing System
• different parallel versions of the test for pilots and air traffic controllers
• flexible test administration to suit the client company’s individual requirements
• test security appropriate to the high-stakes nature of English for Aviation language assessment
• reports on the test-taker’s performance in each of the six features of language contained in the ICAO LPRS
• full Test Report and results verification service
• consultancy to organisations and institutions on appropriate and sustainable strategies for English for Aviation language testing, language auditing and language training

The aims of the CAA International EALTS

The aims of the CAA International EALTS may be stated as follows:

• To provide a valid, reliable and practical assessment of a candidate’s ability to operate in English in the context of aeronautical radio-telephony communications in international civil aviation;
• To provide a means of assessment of English language proficiency in the context of aviation reflecting actual language use;
• To provide a means of assessment of English language proficiency in the context of aviation acceptable to pilots and air traffic controllers and other primary test users;
• To provide a means of assessment of English language proficiency in the context of aviation in a manner acceptable to national regulatory/licensing authorities, professional registration bodies and employers;
• To provide an internationally recognised certification of English language proficiency in the context of aviation in a manner acceptable to national regulatory/licensing authorities, professional registration bodies and employers for licence endorsement purposes;
• To have a positive and beneficial impact on aviation operational communications techniques and the content and delivery of English for Aviation training and test preparation programmes;
• To provide a testing system appropriate to the high stakes testing of English for aviation for licence endorsement purposes;
• To provide a testing system and quality of service delivered to an international standard
• To provide a testing system that is fair to all candidates
• To provide reliable test results which will allow all test stakeholders (national regulatory/licensing authorities, professional registration bodies and employers) to make effective comparisons with other recognised qualifications and assessments linked to the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale and ICAO Holistic Descriptors of operational language proficiency.

The EALTS Examination

For more information about the components of the exam, please see click here (PDF 92K)

Registration Process, dates and Prices

• For information on the registration process, dates for 2012 and other additional information in Bogotá , please see our Registration Process and 2012 Dates file (PDF 474Kb) (available only in spanish)
  
  Available dates for the next months

MONTH   DAY OF EXAM         RESULTS DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATIONS NOTES
JUNE

Tuesday 05

21 June

28 May

-

Tuesday 12

27 June

04 June

-

Tuesday 29

04 July

12 June

-

Tuesday 26

11 July

19 June

-

JULY

Tuesday 03

17 July

25 June

-

Tuesday 10

25 July

03 July

-

Tuesday 17

01 August

09 July

-

AUGUST

Tuesday 14

29 August

06 August

-

Tuesday 21

04 September

13 August

-

Tuesday 28

11 September

21 August

-

The above pricing to individuals located in Bogota. Special group pricing may apply to companies depending on the number of candidates to be tested. If you need information about this exam outside of Bogota or are a company with a possible group of candidates, please Contact the British Council directly for additional information at exams@britishcouncil.org.co

Downloads

• EALTS application form (PDF 332 k)
• EALTS Handbook (PDF 1.02 MB)