EUROCONTROL & ZHAW · ELPAC Study
Help validate the ELPAC assessment scheme
Thank you for taking part in this study, run by EUROCONTROL in partnership with ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences). It validates a new, competency-based grading scheme for the ELPAC test of English for air traffic controllers and pilots, and examines how its results map onto the ICAO rating scale. All we ask is that you listen to four audio recordings of test takers and mark them against a set of descriptors. The study is completely anonymous.
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About the study
Background & purpose
Under the ICAO language proficiency requirements, air traffic controllers and pilots must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in English on the radiotelephony frequency. ELPAC is the EUROCONTROL test used to assess that ability.
This study evaluates a revised grading scheme that moves from ICAO Annex 1 rating-scale judgements towards explicit, competency-based descriptors across six assessment criteria. The aim is to validate whether this approach lets examiners grade test-taker output more precisely and consistently, and to establish how the results relate to the ICAO rating scale by which test results are reported.
The study is run by EUROCONTROL (ELPAC service manager) in partnership with ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences), which is the academic research partner.
What you'll do
A short, structured grading exercise — about 30–40 minutes
Create a login
Create a login and password so you don't have to do everything in one go — return whenever you like to continue.
Answer a few questions
A short, anonymous questionnaire used for statistical purposes only. Participants cannot be identified from their answers.
Listen to each part
Each recording has two parts — a role play, then a picture description and discussion. Listen as many times as you need.
Mark with descriptors
For each part, choose the one descriptor per criterion that best describes the candidate's language ability.
How each recording works
Part 1 — role play
Listen to the candidate doing a role-play task, then select one descriptor from each criterion.
Part 2 — picture & discussion
Hear the candidate describe a picture and discuss aviation topics, then again select one descriptor per criterion.
Submit & continue
Add an optional comment, submit your grading for the recording, then move on to the next one.