HARMONIZATION OF UNIVERSITY AVIATION COURSES

Abstract

Aviation is one of the factors which contribute to globalization and it makes the world more connected and more accessible. Aviation speaks English. Our function as university ESP teachers is to prepare graduates for professional success. However, as social and cultural changes occur, especially on a global level, so do the requirements for accomplishment of this function. Now, with almost two decades into the 21st century, ESP is coming to a new age. This is the age of multinational cooperation and harmonization. The new way of working could not only widen the teachers’ horizons and strengthen the opportunities for the best practices, but also harmonize the education in the language departments in different higher institutions which deal with similar target groups of students and target language use situations. Harmonization in aviation education fosters standardization and transparency. It plays a key role for the mobility of students and teachers. Harmonization in aviation training is promoted by a common aviation course which is being developed due to the cooperation of Aviation Faculty, National Military University, Bulgaria, Air Force Academy, Romania, and the War Studies University, Poland, within the framework of Strategic Partnership Erasmus+ program. The joint aviation English course is expected to boost the cooperation among three air-force tertiary education institutions and to introduce a policy intended to harmonize the language studies of future aviation specialists.