EPLIS Team

For the development, maintenance and administration of EPLIS, it is necessary to involve dozens of professionals with different profiles and knowledge in different areas: English language experts, air traffic experts, information technology and software engineering experts, and managers. These professionals can perform one or more functions within the exam.

Profiles

EPLIS developers are professionals with knowledge and experience in the area of language test development who, along with air traffic control experts who have high proficiency in the English language, prepare the Test Specifications. This document contains a description of the skills to be assessed, the conditions under which these skills will be assessed and the criteria used to assess the test taker's performance.

Test item writers are professionals with high proficiency in the English language who, under the guidance of EPLIS developers, write items for Papers 1 and 2 in line with the Test Specifications. They may be air traffic or English language experts familiar with aeronautical English. In both cases, these professionals need to work as EPLIS examiners and receive specific training in preparing test items.

EPLIS examiners are professionals trained to administer Paper 2, performing two roles: interlocutor and rater. These can either be air traffic experts who have achieved Level 6 in EPLIS or English language experts familiar with aeronautical English. In both cases, professionals must have passed the EPLIS Examiner training courses: CTP019 and CTP023, and have participated in the recurrent training offered by ICEA.

EPLIS coordinators are professionals who work in the logistics and security of EPLIS administration at ICEA and in other locations where Papers 1 and 2 are carried out. They include regional and local EPLIS coordinators.

EPLIS System developers are professionals with knowledge in information technology, software development and databases. They are responsible for developing and managing the programs for delivering Papers 1 and 2, storing EPLIS data (test taker's identity, scores and test items), as well as publishing the exam results through the EPLIS System.

ICEA Assessment Team

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Initial Rater Training Program

ICEA has developed CTP019 and CTP023 courses to train professionals to serve as both interlocutors and raters of EPLIS Paper 2. Air traffic controllers who have Level 6 in EPLIS and at least 1 year of professional experience can take the courses. English language professionals from Brazilian Air Force can also participate if they have a degree in English Teaching and at least 1 year of teaching aeronautical English experience.

The CTP019 course is a two-week introductory course in aeronautical English assessment, held in person at ICEA. CTP019 students take theoretical and practical lessons focused on understanding and applying the assessment criteria described in Doc 9835. Those approved in CTP019 undertake CTP023, which consists of an on-the-job training program conducted during the administration of EPLIS Paper 2. Those who successfully complete both courses are considered EPLIS Examiners.

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Recurrent Rater Training

At least once a year, EPLIS examiners receive training aimed at calibrating and standardizing both assessment and interlocution procedures, which ensures consistency in the rating process. Named "EPLIS Examiner Accreditation Meeting", only examiners who participate in this training and demonstrate good calibration levels are accredited to administer Paper 2 in that particular edition of the test. Furthermore, the ICEA team periodically monitors the examiners' consistency, individually and comparatively, in assigning grades. Whenever mismatches are identified, additional training is offered.

ICEA also promotes the sending of EPLIS examiners to other aeronautical English test providers in order to harmonize interpretations of the ICAO Rating Scale at national and international levels, thus preventing possible divergences between raters of different exams.

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