Theoretical and practical aspects of linguistic competence formation of future pilots and air traffic controllers.

Abstract

Theoretical and practical aspects of linguistic competence formation of future pilots and air traffic controllers in the educational process of the university are analyzed in the article. Professional communication of aviation experts is viewed as a component of their professional reliability, since a significant portion of aviation incidents on international air routes are somehow connected with imperfect verbal interaction of air traffic controllers and pilots. Professional-speech activity of aviation experts is realized in several language codes, therefore pilots and air traffic controllers must be bilingual (speak Ukrainian and English), or even multilingual (in case their mother tongue is the Russian language). In this regard, integration of disciplines that provide Ukrainian and foreign language training of future pilots and air traffic controllers in the educational process of the university is of great importance. A number of practical tasks aimed on formation of future aviators’ linguistic competence and methodological comments to them are given in the article. They include exercises for mastering aviation terminology knowledge and usage, improving translation skills, developing ability to edit aviation texts. Much attention is given to vocabulary work, especially to differentiating homophones and homographs confusion of which may contribute to aviation incidents and accidents.