1. Malta Language Proficiency Requirements Implementation
ICAO Workshop Rome 3-5 March 2010

2. ICAO LPR Implementation
Did not present major difficulties.
Level of English Proficiency is high
Student learn English for at least 11 years (1500 hours classroom time)

3. Education System Ensures at least proficiency level 4.
82% Level 6, 16% Level 5, 2% Level 4
Text books in almost all subjects are in English.

4. Awareness
Stakeholders are familiar with the ICAO language proficiency requirements (pilots, air traffic controllers, language teachers, regulators, etc.)
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
PEL Notices issued to inform pilots, controllers, training organisations and operators - about the requirements.
Notices included information about the test.

5. Promulgation, legislation and responsibility (1)
ICAO language proficiency requirements (Amendment 164 to Annex 1) have been incorporated into national legislation
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
JAR-FCL Amendment 7
Transposition of Directive 2006/23/EC on air traffic controller licences.

6. Promulgation, legislation and responsibility (2)
State has identified and approved the minimum level of language proficiency for ab initio training for ATCOs and pilots
Implementation Status – Pilots No / Air Traffic Controllers No
Level of English at school leaving age accepted to start ab inito training.
No difficulty to follow courses in English.

7. National coordinator(s)
State has nominated a contact person(s) within the State Authority, airline or ANSP(s) to be responsible for coordination of matters at the national level dealing with the implementation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
Contact Person Nominated

8. National implementation plan
State has developed, approved, published on the ICAO web-page and is regularly updating the national plan of implantation of the ICAO language proficiency requirements
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
Malta has met ICAO deadline of 5 March 2008.
Letter sent to ICAO and published on the ICAO web site

9. English language training
English language training packages are in place to meet and maintain ICAO level 4 requirements
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
No additional English language training is required for locals to meet and maintain level 4.
English language training packages are in place for foreign students and for locals who need to improve their language proficiency.

10. Resources for implementation
State has assessed and secured the resources needed to meet the ICAO language proficiency requirements
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
Malta has the required resources.

11. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors)
State has selected and accredited at national level the following language proficiency tests
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
Only one approved test in Malta.
Developed by the Authority with the help of language specialists and subject matter experts.

12. Language Proficiency test(1)
Language Specialist conducts one-to-one test and rates the applicant.
Language Specialist tests plain language only.
Phraseology is tested by an RT (operational) examiner.

13. Language Proficiency test(2)
Takes about 30 minutes.
Starts with audio recordings – pilot / controller.
Audio recordings have a variety of accents to enhance validity.
Aviation-related subjects
Part of the test is without visual cues.
Language Specialist can ask about a wide range of topics – not possible to memorise answers for the test.

14. Language Proficiency test(3)
In borderline cases the language specialists can request the assistance of a subject matter expert.

15. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors)
State has an approved programme of accreditation for testing personnel.
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
In Malta there are only 4 authorised language specialists (Raters).
Employed by the Authority.
Number sufficient for a total of 500 licences.

16. Rater Qualification
First degree (Bachelor’s) in English from the University of Malta or equivalent, or
First degree in Education with English as one of the main subjects
Familiar with language assessment and evaluation procedures and principles.

17. Rater Training (1) ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements
Annex 1 as it relates to language proficiency
ICAO Manual on the implementation of language proficiency requirements
Sample audio assessments

18. Rater Training (2) Training focussed on pilot operation
Airplane and Flight Segment Terminology
The Aircraft Structure, Aircraft components, Flight Controls, Flight Segments
Duties in normal operations, Flight Phases, ATC Communication, Normal Procedures
Abnormal Procedures
Emergency Procedures, Work Load During Emergency Procedures, Task Sharing
Accident Review
Accidents and incidents where language was a factor.
Ex: B747 Accident in Tenerife

19. Rater Training (3) Training focussed on ATC Operations Visits to:
Air Traffic Control (an overview), Phraseology
Different types of emergencies, Airspace and ATC sections,
R/T communications with aircraft
General requirements – fight plans/transponder codes…
Overview of EUROCONTROL Document “Guidelines for controller training in the handling of unusual/emergency situations
Visits to:
Aerodrome Control
Approach Control
Area Control
Apron Control

20. Rater Training (4)
Familiarisation flight on a large transport aircraft
Final briefing on test procedure

21. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors)
Raters and interlocutors attend regular refresher courses to maintain standards
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
Refresher training is being set up where all the raters share their experience with subject matter experts and receive refresher training on operational aspects.
No interlocutors are used.

22. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) - 2
What percentages of air traffic controllers and pilots in the State have already have achieved ICAO level 4 in language proficiency tests?
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
Level 4 (+) Pilots 100% / Controllers 100%.
Tested by a Language Specialist
Pilots 72% / Controllers 100%

23. Testing (tests, raters, interlocutors) - 3
What percentages of air traffic controllers and pilots in the State have already have achieved ICAO level 4 in language proficiency tests?
Implementation Status – Pilots Yes / Air Traffic Controllers Yes
Pilots issued a temporary certificate are required to be tested by a language specialist by 4 March 2011.
Where tests by a language specialist have not yet been conducted the level 4 is based on previous assessments by an operational examiner - JAR-FCL (5) (B).

24. Summary English is one of the two official languages.
Widely used and frequently practised.
Malta is compliant with the ICAO requirements.

25. From Transport Malta
Thank you