IFATCA’s Speak English Program & the Role of Professional Associations
The IFATCA Speak English Programme is a great example of how aviation professionals can come together to support one another through peer-to-peer learning. By creating spaces where Air Traffic Controllers and other aviation professionals can help each other strengthen their English communication skills, this programme contributes to professional development, enhances cross-cultural communication, and supports the broader goal of improving operational safety across the aviation system.
Launched in 2019 in the Asia Pacific Region, the programme quickly became a lifeline for some during the pandemic. At a time when borders closed and operations slowed, it offered a way to stay engaged, helping professionals remain connected, motivated, and continue learning despite the challenges.
This initiative is more than a language course. It’s about building confidence, developing real-world communication skills, and fostering mutual understanding in a multicultural, high-pressure environment. These human connections, grounded in shared experience and trust, are what make peer learning so powerful.
English language proficiency is essential to aviation safety. Clear, confident communication between pilots, controllers, and other team members is key to avoiding misunderstandings and responding effectively in high-stress or unexpected situations. That’s why initiatives like this one matter so much. Learning from peers, people who understand the realities of the job, can make all the difference. It reminds us that we’re part of a global community working together towards the same goal: ensuring the highest levels of aviation safety worldwide.
“At IFALPA, we fully support this approach. As a global federation of pilots, we believe professional associations have a unique responsibility to foster these kinds of connections, where experience is shared and learning is mutual. We’re committed to encouraging similar peer-led programmes within the pilot community because we’ve seen how impactful they can be.”
