TEA WHAT AND HOW IT WORKS
The TEA Test is compulsory for all ATPL licensed drivers and for all CPL / PPL pilots who wish to fly IFR or VFR outside national boundaries.
Since 5 March 2011, the JAR-FCL 1,200 and Annex 1 ICAO have made it compulsory to obtain a Linguistic Language Certificate of English, intended as a Generic English (not radiotelephone). These requirements have been introduced to ensure that pilots and controllers are able to ensure effective communication when the standard phraseology is not sufficient.
In order to meet these requirements, ENAC has adopted the Test of English for Aviation (TEA), an oral exam that aims to certify the general aeronautical English of candidates.
Certification issued following the exam is mandatory and supports English-language radiotelephony.
TEA is a test designed by Mayflower College in Plymouth (UK) and adopted by ENAC, which aims to evaluate the ability to communicate in English.
TEA is an oral exam, consisting of a face-to-face interview with an examiner, during which the candidate is stimulated to engage in an English speaking conversation in aviatory context.
the TEA lasts about 20-25 minutes and is divided into three distinct sections.
TEA is structured to assess English language knowledge through six descriptors: Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, Fluency, Understanding and Interaction. Each of these descriptors will be assigned a level from 1 to 6. The candidate will be considered eligible if he has at least level 4 in each of the six descriptors.
the TEA does not evaluate the candidate's operational and professional knowledge, but only his mastery of spoken English.
the TEA does not evaluate the knowledge of the standard aeronautical phraseology or the procedures of radiotelephony.
The TEA does not include any reading or writing exercise, nor does the computer use it.
Part 1: Introduction
In this first part, candidates will ask simple questions about their work or their involvement in the aviation world.
Part 2: Interactive Comprehention:
This section is divided into three parts: in the first part, the candidate will hear 10 short records of non-routine and emergency situations. The actors of the recordings may be native speakers of English or not. The candidate must explain the content of what he has heard without omitting any relevant details. In the second part, the candidate will listen to three short messages and ask questions to clarify the situation. In the third part, the candidate will hear three more short messages and will have to give relevant advice to what has been heard.
Part 3: Describe,compare and discuss
The candidate will be shown some images, relevant to the Aviation world, which they will have to describe; then a conversation will take place, from the informal tone, always on aeronautical topics.
The test will be recorded and the evaluation by the examiner will be confirmed by Mayflower College native speakers. If successful, the TEA certificate will be delivered to the candidate within 15 working days.
The examiner will evaluate the test based on six language descriptors defined by ICAO: Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, Fluency, Understanding, Interaction. Each of the descriptors will be assigned a level from 1 to 6. The final result of the test will be assigned according to the lowest achieved level. For example, a candidate who would get the following results:
Pronunciation: 6 - Grammar: 5 - Vocabulary: 6 - Fluidity: 6 - Understanding: 4 - Interactions: 6
You will get a Level 4 TEA certificate.
HOW TO BOOK THE TEST
To book a test you can fill out the form you will find in the "Forms" section by entering your personal information. Our contact person will contact you within 24 hours. Or you can contact our offices directly at 347 6569213.
WHERE TO TEST THE TEST
The TEA test is carried out with a certified examiner at the D'Abruzzo di Pescara airport.