Abstract:

The question of whether it is better to first learn individual words and increase one´s vocabulary or to focus on learning phrases has been a long-standing debate among linguists and language teachers. When it comes to learning the terms and phraseology necessary to master Aviation English, the choice is much more restricted in that only a certain number or expressions are mainly used when exchanging information between aircraft or with an air traffic control tower. This paper examines how students at a technical university studying Aviation English are learning to differentiate the best way to convey their understanding and intentions in transmitting and receiving information through the readback -hearback process (the verbal confirmation of instructions or information), which takes place between during aeronautical radiotelephony. It more specifically looks at how students are being taught standard ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) English through aviation gaming software by which they learn to avoid using everyday English when Aviation English is more precise. Thus, it teaches students how to prioritise the giving and receiving of clear, accurate information in the shortest time possible, thus increasing safety by expediating the verbal exchange and not blocking the frequency for other aircraft.

Keywords:

Readback, hearback, airside, landside, chunking, diochotic listening, cocktail effect, IFR, VFR.