International Guide - Preparation for training
Preparation for Training
LANGUAGE ENTRY STANDARDS
In order to gain maximum benefit from the training, International students require a defined level of English. Some courses will require a higher level of English than others, particularly those involving technical work or where safety procedures are a major factor. All RAF training has a defined level of English which equates to an International English Language Testing System level. The IELTS assessment is run in most capital cities by the British Council; the cost of this is approximately £90 per test (in 2006), this cost must be borne by the country requesting the training. Please see the following websites for further information:
www.britishcouncil.org or www.ielts.org
Exemption from taking an IELTS assessment
The following potential students are not required to take an IELTS assessment:
a. Those whose first language is English.
b. Those who originate from a NATO nation.
c. Those who are returning for training within 5 years of taking a test (providing the IELTS requirement is not at a higher level)
International English Language Test (IELTS). IDT(RAF) will ask for the International English Language Test (IELTS) to be taken by a student to assess the level of a student's English. The IELTS is expressed in a single score, made up of 4 separate elements; listening, reading, writing and speaking. Copies of the IELTS certificate should be submitted to IDT(RAF) with the details of the nominated student.
Course IELTS Ratings. Some courses will require a higher level of English than others, particularly those involving flying or flying related procedures. As a general guide, an overall IELT score of 5.5 is required for flying and flying related training, with at least 6.5 in both the listening and speaking tests. An overall level of 5.5 is required for other RAF courses, except where specified in the Training Catalogue. The interpretation of the IELT scores is given in the table shown:
Band | Level | Remarks |
9 | Expert user | Has fully operational command of language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
8 | Very Good User | Has fully operational command of language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and |
7 | Good User | Has operational command of language, though with occasional inaccuracies. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
6.5 | Competent User + | Has effective command of the language, despite a number of inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
6 | Competent User | Has generally effective command of English, despite some misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
5.5 | Modest User + | Has a reasonable command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make some mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communications in their own field and express their meaning fairly clearly, if not precisely. They are able to convey meanings on most general topics, but not on academic or vocational ones. |
5 | Modest User | Has partial command of English, coping with overall meaning in most situations, although many mistakes will be made. |
4 | Limited User | Basic competence in familiar situations. Is not able to use complex language |
3 | Extremely Limited User | Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
2 | Intermittent | Only very basic understanding of English, with great difficulty in understanding of written and spoken English. |
1 | Non User | No ability to speak English beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
0 | No test | No assessable information provided. |
Inability to take the IELTS Test. In cases where the student cannot take the IELTS test, the originating authority has the responsibility to ensure the student has acquired the appropriate level of English to complete their training. DAs are requested to remind their hosts of this, and that the UK reserves the right to withdraw students from training if their English is not adequate for progression on the course.
Where to undertake English Language Training. Where language training is required prior to a course there are several training alternatives:
a. British Council in Country. Training from the British Council is most suitable for refresher training immediately prior to student's departure for UK. This is usually an inexpensive option.
b. Defence School of Languages, Beaconsfield. www.army.mod.uk/dsl/ DSL specialises in full-time, high intensity, language courses, and its training design and delivery are certified at the ISO 9001 international quality standard. Its main role is to provide foreign language training to the British Armed Forces and English language training to military personnel from overseas. Please contact IDT(Army) for details of courses at DSL.
c. Selected Universities and Colleges. IDT(RAF) can assist in the provision of English Language training at selected establishments.
d. Private language schools in the UK. The standards at private language schools vary considerably, and courses will not be tailored to military expectations; however they can be cost effective. IDT(RAF) cannot administer students looking for private language training. DAs are requested to remind their host countries that their Embassies or High Commissions will undertake all personal, financial and logistical responsibility for their personnel whilst they are taking private language courses.
Returning Students. When a student returns to the UK for subsequent training, IELTS will not need to be retaken, unless the IELTS requirement is at a higher level and no more than a 5 year gap has elapsed since the test was taken.
COURSE ENTRY STANDARDS
The need for students to be able to meet Entry Standards before undertaking any training with UK Armed Forces cannot be over-emphasised. The standards include English language ability, academic qualifications, previous professional experience and, in many cases, the requirement for a high degree of physical fitness. Failure to meet these standards could result in the withdrawal of a student from training.
Details of the Entry Standards for specific courses can be found on the Course Data Sheets in the single Service Training Manuals.
CONFORMITY TO SYLLABUS OF TRAINING
Students accepted for training are to comply with the syllabus of training in all its aspects. It is sometimes necessary to consider variations to the standard syllabus of a particular course, to enable the student to get the maximum benefit from this training. This might involve additional instruction in certain aspects, a lengthening of the course, or, for flying training, additional hours.
PHYSICAL STANDARDS
Candidates for training with the UK Armed Forces should be in general good health and physically fit. Where training courses have specific medical or physical start standards, these are detailed on the course data sheets in the single Service Training Manuals.
MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS
Medical, optical or dental treatment provided by UK Armed Forces are covered by fees charged for tuition. There is therefore no charge for such treatment, except for supply of spectacles, dental bridges or dental appliances and prescription charges. Dependants are not covered by this concession, unless otherwise detailed by Memorandum of Understanding.
Students whose course lasts less than six months, unless covered by a reciprocal agreement, will be liable for any NHS hospital treatment they receive. Hospitals do have some discretion in this matter. Accident and Emergency services alone are provided free of charge. Students from EU nations are advised to bring an EHIC (European Heath Insurance Card, formerly E111). As a rule, dependants receive the same status as the student in this case. If dependants are accepted for registration by a GP (General Practitioner or doctors' practice), they are entitled to the same service as UK nationals.
Students whose course lasts longer than six months are entitled to NHS hospital treatment at no charge. As a rule, dependants receive the same status as the student in this case.
After 12 months residence in UK, all students and their dependants are entitled to free NHS treatment.