Online Platform to Teach Aviation English at a Military School in Salinas

Abstract

This research aims at providing the Military Aviation School “ESMA-Cosme Renella Barbatto”, located in Salinas in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador, with an online teaching tool that helps to enhance the methodology applied in the subject of Aviation English (AE). The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is the official organization in charge of Aviation English training programs, states that the structures taught in this English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses are based mostly on the communicative intention rather than grammatical rules. The ICAO also recognizes, in the document 9835, the use of computers as supporting tools during the learning process and suggests Blended Learning as an approach that optimizes the organization of face-to-face sessions when teaching Aviation English. To this end, a mixed-method research was selected to gather and process data that supports the need of implementing an online platform, the research tools were an interview to the teacher, who is also an Aviation Instructor from the ESMA Flight Training Department, and a survey to the 39 pilot cadets who will be part of the course. The results revealed a positive attitude towards the platform, it was considered by the participants to be a pedagogical “link” between technology and teaching methodology.