Test Quiz
Another trial of some software. Some feedback about the ease of using this type of question would be appreaciated.
Category: Blog
Spain lifts ban on flights from Italy and reopens sea border as lockdown eased
Have a go at this prepositions quiz. I am trying to find a better way of presenting it but this will have to do for now!
The original article from which this quiz is adapted can be found at:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-italy-flight-ban-travel-advice-coronavirus-lockdown-latest-a9521611.html
Pronouncing /l/ and /r/
Pronunciation is very important in English. Poor pronunciation can lead to a breakdown of communication, and you may even end up changing the meaning of what you are saying. Sometimes it can be amusing for native speakers who hear these mistakes, but with a little effort on the learners’ part, improvement can be made in very little time.
Look at these pairs of words and it’s easy to see how confusing your conversation could become if you struggle with the /l/ and /r/ sounds in English.
Pilot 
Pirate 
Flying 
Frying 
Legs 
Regs (Regulations) 
Flight 
Fright
So, how can we change the way that we speak? For many learners of English in Asia this area of pronunciation causes particular difficulties because the sounds do not exist in the native languages of the region. It is important to think about the position of the tongue in the mouth and the shape of the lips as we make these sounds.
I have recently spent a lot of time in online classes pushing my face up close to my webcam so that the student on the other end can see what my mouth is doing. They have then tried to replicate what I did, and this has been pretty successful so far. It is something that needs to be practised in your own time too though, and a mirror can be really helpful! Take a look at this excellent Youtube video to help you study this by yourself. It covers pretty much what I do myself in class.
If you have found this blog useful, please leave a comment!
Read to improve your vocabulary
One of the most common questions an English teacher hears is “how do I improve my vocabulary?” Well, there is no shortcut to doing this. The best advice is READ, READ, READ! If you don’t read then you will probably not notice the words that you don’t understand, especially if you are hearing enough to get by when you are listening. » Read more
ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale
As you have found this website, you have probably already heard about the ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale, or LPRS for short. This is the method by which your Aviation English is assessed, and Level 4 has been deemed as operationally acceptable. Of course, by achieving a higher rating, you won’t have to be reassessed as frequently! » Read more
Welcome to Russ’s Aviation English Blog
Welcome to the start of an exciting new adventure in Aviation English.
On this blog Russ will discuss various aviation topics in the news and help you to improve your English by pointing out some useful words and phrases, or setting you some challenging questions. It’s also a place where we can generate discussion about popular subjects.