News
Chinese pilots urged to learn English
20 June 2007
Pilots in China have been told that they must make more effort to learn to speak English.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) says that less than a tenth of Chinese pilots meet standards of spoken English as set out by the organisation.
The ICAO has accused some pilots of taking lightly the challenge of learning to speak the language but said that things need to change.
'The requirement to raise pilot's English abilities comes from a formal decision by the International Civil Aviation Organisation,' deputy aviation minister Li Jian said in a statement on the ICAO website.
'I hope those comrades who have the wrong thinking drop their illusions, don't wait around and don't rely on others, grasp the present good conditions for studying English and dare to fulfil their responsibilities.'
Figures show that only 651 Chinese pilots have already passed English exams, leaving a further 8,000 who have yet to do so.
China is currently experiencing an aviation boom and with the Olympic Games going to Beijing in 2008, it will be more important than ever that pilots can speak English.
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© Adfero Ltd
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) says that less than a tenth of Chinese pilots meet standards of spoken English as set out by the organisation.
The ICAO has accused some pilots of taking lightly the challenge of learning to speak the language but said that things need to change.
'The requirement to raise pilot's English abilities comes from a formal decision by the International Civil Aviation Organisation,' deputy aviation minister Li Jian said in a statement on the ICAO website.
'I hope those comrades who have the wrong thinking drop their illusions, don't wait around and don't rely on others, grasp the present good conditions for studying English and dare to fulfil their responsibilities.'
Figures show that only 651 Chinese pilots have already passed English exams, leaving a further 8,000 who have yet to do so.
China is currently experiencing an aviation boom and with the Olympic Games going to Beijing in 2008, it will be more important than ever that pilots can speak English.
Opodo is a leading online travel company offering flights, hotels, rental cars and holidays worldwide. Search for travel deals.
© Adfero Ltd
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