Investigating the Aviation English Needs of Ab-Initio Air Traffic Controllers

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the Aviation English needs of ab-initio air traffic controllers by applying a needs analysis model from the field of English for Specific Purposes, which emphasizes three key dimensions: lacks, wants, and necessities. The participant group comprised 86 ab-initio air traffic controllers who were enrolled in course-based and university-based undergraduate education programs in Türkiye. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire employing a 5-point Likert scale. The results revealed that the highest average score was in the want dimension (M= 3.9163), indicating a strong internal motivation to improve Aviation English skills. The necessity dimension followed (M= 3.6964), showing that participants recognized the importance of meeting professional language requirements. The lack dimension received the lowest score (M= 3.5388), suggesting a moderate level of perceived language deficiencies. These findings point to the need for training programs that balance personal motivation with regulatory and operational standards. A well-designed Aviation English program should integrate learners’ goals with the communication demands of the profession to enhance both language development and aviation safety.

Keywords

• Air Traffic Controller
• Aviation
• Aviation English
• Aviation English Training
• Needs Analysis

Öğrenci Hava Trafik Kontrolörlerinin Havacılık İngilizcesi İhtiyaçlarının İncelenmesi

Abstract

Çalışmanın amacı özel amaçlı ingilizce alanında geliştirilen ve eksiklikler, istekler ile gereklilikler olmak üzere üç temel boyutu vurgulayan ihtiyaç analizi modeli aracılığıyla, öğrenci hava trafik kontrolörlerinin havacılık ingilizcesi ihtiyaçlarını incelemektir. Araştırmanın katılımcı grubu Türkiye’de kurs ve üniversitelerde lisans programlarına kayıtlı 86 öğrenci hava trafik kontrolöründen oluşmaktadır. Veriler 5 dereceli Likert ölçeği kullanan yapılandırılmış bir soru formu aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Bulgular en yüksek ortalama puanın istek boyutunda olduğunu göstermektedir (M= 3.9163). Bu durum havacılık ingilizcesi becerilerini geliştirmeye yönelik güçlü bir içsel motivasyonu işaret etmektedir. Bunu katılımcıların mesleki dil yeterliliklerini karşılama gerekliliğini fark ettiklerini ortaya koyan gereklilik boyutu izlemektedir (M= 3.6964). En düşük puanı alan eksiklik boyutu ise (M= 3.5388), algılanan dil yetersizliklerinin orta düzeyde olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu bulgular, kişisel motivasyon ile düzenleyici ve operasyonel standartlar arasında bir denge kuran eğitim programlarına duyulan ihtiyacı işaret etmektedir. Etkili bir havacılık ingilizcesi programı öğrenenlerin bireysel hedeflerini mesleğin iletişimsel gereklilikleriyle bütünleştirerek hem dil gelişimini hem de havacılık emniyetini artırmayı hedeflemelidir.

Keywords

• Hava Trafik Kontrolörleri
• Havacılık
• Havacılık İngilizcesi
• Havacılık İngilizcesi Eğitimi
• İhtiyaç Analizi

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