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ATCO Language Skills
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| Article Information | ||
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| Category: | Human Factors Training | 
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| Content source: | SKYbrary | 
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| Content control: | EUROCONTROL | 
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English Proficiency in ATC
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Air Traffic Controllers are required to have proficiency in the English language. Staff should be provided with courses focused on language instead of procedures and should include phraseology and the use of plain English.
Language performance requirements can include:
- The ability to produce intelligible messages in unusual situations
- The ability to communicate in plain language (English) even under stress
- Understanding and making appropriate responses to pilot messages
- Adherence to ICAO phraseology
- Resolving misunderstanding in communication (e.g. by understanding cultural differences)
The proficiency of student air traffic controllers in English should be at an agreed minimum level, which will allow them to carry out their tasks, ensuring safety and expedition to air traffic, in the international environment in which they work.