Article written by Michael Egerton

In this article I’m going to give you advice about how to prepare for the new CX ICAO English test. The test changed recently and for a very good reason – the old test was frankly… not very good.

So the changes to the CX ICAO test are a very good thing. We support all those who have helped implement these changes to bring credibility to the test.

In this article I will answer the following questions.

1. What is the format of the new CX ICAO English Test ?
2. Are there any past papers?
3. What can I do to prepare?

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FORMAT OF THE NEW CX ICAO ELT –

CATHAY PACIFIC ICAO ENGLISH TEST

Expect the following:

1. Some personal questions
2. Some listening comprehension in an aviation context
3. Describe a picture
4. Answer questions about a video
5. Some more questions about aviation.

If you think that the above isn’t very specific you are right. The old test had specific answers and didn’t vary very much so candidates were able to memorise the answers. Now you have to actually have genuine proficiency in Aviation English. Luckily the possible content of the test is very well covered in our Aviation English courses.

Are there any past papers?

No this is a speaking and listening test. It’s not supposed to be assessed the way that tests like IELTS are assessed. But there is an example of the test in development. So here’s our advice…

Forget about the test and focus on improving your Aviation English – DO A COURSE WITH US!!

This is a much more effective use of your time.

Past papers and mock tests are pointless apart from to settle your nerves. Past questions encourage many candidates to focus on remembering specific answers. The truth is, the answer to a question is not that important, it’s how well you answer it. It’s your pronunciation, use of correct grammatical structure, range of vocabulary, fluency and lack of hesitation and appropriateness of your answers too. We can show you an example of the test but really you shouldn’t focus on the test. The new test is dynamic and the assessor will ask you questions based on your previous answers so you will need to respond appropriately too.

For a rough idea some questions are like the activities on our Facebook page http://Facebook.com/aviationenglish

If you are not a fan already, become a fan and also select subscribe to updates so that you can get some free exercises in your news feed. Remember to interact and post on our page too, as we can give feedback to your answers.

Expect many different versions of the test so asking your mate for the answers won’t help, but attending AVIATION ENGLISH ASIA COURSES WILL HELP.

What should I do to prepare for the new CX ICAO ENGLISH TEST?

The old test was riddled with problems because there was no real standard that had to be achieved. There was very little content that was related to flight operations and Cathay provided candidates no information about how to prepare for the test – Luckily many smart candidates followed our advice and ignored preparing for the previous test completely.

Free Resources to help you prepare for the ICAO English Test

Aviation English Asia Ltd has created some excellent free resources to help candidates prepare for the ICAO English test.

There are some excellent articles on this blog Aviation English Asia Blog,

There are some interesting news stories on the Learning Zone section of our main website Aviation English Learning Zone  and there are many opportunities to interact with other learners on the Aviation English Facebook Page

These free resources are all packed with great information about how to prepare for the new CX ICAO English test. But most candidates will need professional help to prepare for the test.

Here is our Top Ten ways to prepare for the New CX ICAO English Language Test

1. You should improve your Aviation English. Aviation English (also known as English for Aviation Purposes) comprises of 3 parts, 1. radiotelephony, 2. technical vocabulary and  most importantly 3. the plain English that is used in an aviation context. We can tell you which areas you most need to focus on.
2. You should focus on expanding your proficiency in talking intelligently and concisely about aviation. For example try and interact with other pilots using the activities on the Aviation English Facebook Page or ideally our current students.
3. You should learn how to describe a picture – then contact us to get feedback because its the feedback that is most important if you want to improve. If you practice without reflection and feedback you are not actually learning.
4. You should be realistic about your expectations. Preparing far in advance is good. You should expect to need between 3-6 months to get from mid ICAO level 3 to low ICAO level 4. And to be honest ICAO level 4 isn’t very good – really you should aim for ICAO level 5 or above. Treat learning English as a lifelong activity. Learn English for the job, not for the test.
5. You should also get professional advice and feedback from Aviation English Asia teachers.  Value your time and invest in yourself by talking with aviation English professionals rather than candidates who don’t value language skills enough to pay for professional instruction.  Free study groups and chatting with your friends may be effective as a supplementary activity – but really most candidates will need professional instruction. Practice doesn’t make perfect – perfect practice makes perfect.
6. You should contact us for a free consultation before starting a training programme.
7. You should watch tv series like Air Crash Investigations and listen to LiveATC.net regularly in order to become familiar with what actually happens during flight operations.
8. You should talk to aviation professionals – like our students. Our students have varied backgrounds and are happy to share experiences. Make friends with them and practice giving personal information. You can find some tips in this article.
9. You should do an Aviation English course with Aviation English Asia. We are the only credible Aviation English training organisation in Hong Kong. We are also an ethical organisation and are members of the College of Teachers. Our teaching staff includes  a senior captain with Cathay Pacific and we are friends with a lot of  reputable Aviation English teachers worldwide. We have a reputation for high standards.
10. Although we need to assess each candidates suitability first, most candidates in Hong Kong will benefit from attending this course http://www.aviationenglish.com/english-for-pilots-and-atcos/icao-level-5-for-cadets.html as it’s graded specifically for candidates in Hong Kong and it is proven to be effective. There is no magic pill for learning English but this course offers you what you need and is great value.

What to do next

For feedback and more information about Aviation English Asia’s courses please visit http://aviationenglish.com. We can help you improve your English whether you are an experienced pilot, a cadet entry pilot, a controller, engineer or flight attendant, with custom courses designed specifically for your needs. If you haven’t already please join the Aviation English mailing list for special offers and details of courses in your area.

AIRPROX

Definition:  A situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or controller, the distance between aircraft as well as their relative positions and speed have been such that the safety of the aircraft involved was or may have been compromised.

中文(繁體)

定義：一種情況是，在民意的試點或控制器，飛機之間的距離以及它們的相對位置和速度已使得該飛機的安全涉及的或可能已經失密

中文(简体)

定义：一种情况是，在民意的试点或控制器，飞机之间的距离以及它们的相对位置和速度已使得该飞机的安全涉及的或可能已经失密

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page

Height

Definition:  The vertical distance of a level, a point, or an object considered as a point measured from a specified datum.

高度 – 中文(繁體)

定義：一個級別的垂直距離，一個點，或對象視為一個點測量從一個指定的數據

高度 – 中文(简体)

定义：一个级别的垂直距离，一个点，或对象视为一个点测量从一个指定的数据

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page

General Air Traffic

Definition:  Flights operating in accordance with civil air traffic procedures.

通用航空交通 – 中文(繁體)

定義：根據航班經營民航運輸手續

通用航空交通 – 中文(简体)

定义：根据航班经营民航运输手续

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page

Radar Contact

Definition: The situation which exists when the radar blip or radar position symbol of a particular aircraft is seen and identified on a radar display.

雷達聯繫 – 中文(繁體)

定義：這種情況是暫時現象時存在的雷達或雷達地位的象徵，是一個特定的飛機上看到，並確定了一個雷達顯示屏上

雷达联系 – 中文(简体)

定义：这种情况是暂时现象时存在的雷达或雷达地位的象征，是一个特定的飞机上看到，并确定了一个雷达显示屏上

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page

Known Traffic

Definition:  Traffic, the current flight details and intentions of which are known to the controller concerned through direct communication or co-ordination.

已知交通 – 中文(繁體)

定義：交通，目前的航班信息和意圖這是眾所周知的，控制器通過直接溝通或有關協調

已知交通 – 中文(简体)

定义：交通，目前的航班信息和意图这是众所周知的，控制器通过直接沟通或有关协调

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page

Signal Area

Definition:  An area on an aerodrome used for the display of ground signals.

信號區 – 中文(繁體)

定義：在一個機場區域用於顯示地面信號

信号区 – 中文(简体)

定义：在一个机场区域用于显示地面信号

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page

Aeronautical Mobile Service

Definition:  A radio communication service between aircraft stations and aeronautical stations, or between aircraft stations.

航空移動業務 – 中文(繁體)

定義：一個無線電通信服務站和飛機之間的航空電台，航空器電台之間

航空移动业务 – 中文(简体)

定义：一个无线电通信服务站和飞机之间的航空电台，航空器电台之间

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page

Cruising Level

Definition:  A level maintained during a significant portion of a flight.

巡航級 – 中文(繁體)

定義：保持在一個重要的部分航班

巡航级 – 中文(简体)

定义：保持在一个重要的部分航班

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page

Area Control Centre

Definition:  A term used in the United Kingdom to describe a unit providing en-route air traffic control services.

區域管制中心 – 中文(繁體)

定義：一個術語，用於在英國來描述一個單位提供航路空中交通管制服務

区域管制中心 – 中文(简体)

定义：一个术语，用于在英国来描述一个单位提供航路空中交通管制服务

For more advice about learning Aviation English please visit

http://aviationenglish.com or visit our Facebook Page