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View Full Version : CX, Are you really given an English test?


micia
12th Jan 2005, 20:38
I am just so curious, I have noticed that there are many Americans, Canadians, and Aussies going for interviews and have seen there are many English working there already at CX and wondered if they have all had to take an English test when they interviewed?
I see that it is asked in the XYZ book and cannot imagine what the need to give such a test to these whose mother tongue is English.
Can anyone say? Did you really do the test?
Do the people in Hong Kong think they will speak a better English than you?
Sorry, but curious as the name implies.

kavu
12th Jan 2005, 21:15
For the expats there was no English test. Don't know about other local people or the cadets but I know that they require all their employees to be able to speak English.

If an Aussie can't speak English properly then he should become a lawyer or an MP. Back to the gaols.... he he he :D

Koyo
13th Jan 2005, 00:28
As for as I know only the cadet applicants will receive a English test in terms of both listening and writing form.

flyingkiwi
13th Jan 2005, 03:29
wont be long before every one has to sit one, a new ICAO requirment comming out

micia
13th Jan 2005, 10:45
alright, but there are cadets that are American, English, etc. right?
I can understand if they give the test to someone not from these countries, but otherwise it is absurd and a total waste of time, as I would like to know what American, .... or other English mother tongue individual has failed this test.

As far as ICAO goes, if this is true that the ICAO will now require it, then is it not understood that if one already has the ICAO licence he/she already speaks English?
And for this matter, this is crazy too, as many holders of the ICAO are not from countries whose mother tongue is English.
They should not waste time of holders of the FAA or JAA UK licenses, they had to speak English to get them.
So can any Americans confirm if they took an English test since I see many of you are going shortly for an interview?

GearDoor
13th Jan 2005, 15:38
Your're both wrong. I'm Canadian, and when I did my SO interview last February, everyone was given the english test. It is easy if you have spoken english your whole life. All you have to do is pretend to be a controller or a pilot and read back some clearances, making corrections if necessary.

I believe that ICAO is mandating an english comprehension test for everyone in ATC or flight decks, because there is a wide range of english skills around the world, naturally. Cathay took a proactive approach, and started giving a test to all interviewees.

Koyo
13th Jan 2005, 20:00
They don't really care what passport / citizenship you currently hold. As long as you apply to the cadet program they will treat you as a Hong Kong local period. Therefore they are not going to make exceptions and shouldn't make those exceptions. I know at least one Chinese Canadian here that can't really speak that well of English and that person lived here as long as I have which is 13 years. A passport from an English country doesn't automatically mean you understand English.

PS: My gramma is the bad.

micia
13th Jan 2005, 22:38
geardoor, sure, the test is super easy for those above mentioned English speakers, but such a waste of time.

koyo, I have yet to run into the American pilot that does not speak English fluently (we just may not understand their accent, but fluent non the less, LOL).

Koyo
14th Jan 2005, 02:01
Well native speakers would not have a problem, you wouldn't survive even the PPL ground school if you have don't have a basic understanding of English. However, in terms of the cadets, a good percentage of them are not native English speakers (like myself but I haven't applied yet).

Now my question is does every cadet need to take that English course once they start the cadet training.

PS: I don't think you will ever run into a pilot from an English speaking country that don't speak fluent English. May sound different but this is an industry with a standardized language.

micia
14th Jan 2005, 14:27
"As for as I know only the cadet applicants will receive a English test in terms of both listening and writing form." KOYO

"They don't really care what passport / citizenship you currently hold. As long as you apply to the cadet program they will treat you as a Hong Kong local period. Therefore they are not going to make exceptions and shouldn't make those exceptions." KOYO

"Now my question is does every cadet need to take that English course once they the cadet training." KOYO

Dear Koyo, you are really confused, the parties at school are taking their toll.

"A passport from an English country doesn't automatically mean you understand English." KOYO

"PS: I don't think you will ever run into a pilot from an English speaking country that don't speak fluent English. May sound different but this is an industry with a standardized language." KOYO


Koyo, you missed the point. I have been talking about pilots all along (not the general public) and mostly American ones.

Koyo
14th Jan 2005, 20:02
I wish I get to party that much in school...my school is no good when it comes to good parties.

Anyway, I just misunderstood your first post. I was thinking you were talking about cadets as well.

Altyre
18th Jan 2005, 17:13
Just had my final interviews on Friday in HK, there was no english test. I'm French, going for a direct entry spot, they may just assess your level of english during the first interview...

eaglejet
19th Jan 2005, 09:03
salut altyre,

What about speaking a decent english with a heavy accent?French or other foreign applicants are known for their strong accent; is that really a handicap?

Altyre
19th Jan 2005, 10:44
I can't really answer that because I've lived for a long time in the US so I don't really have a French accent. One of the guys with me was from Manchester and noone could understand him...;)
Just kidding David!

Strive
20th Jan 2005, 01:48
Just want to let you know that, applicants for CX's cadet pilot program are of HK citizens, permanent residents. Therefore, many of them were raised in HK and CX is only concerned that their level of English might not be good enough to handle the course load in Adelaide. This is the main reason for the English test.

micia
20th Jan 2005, 12:49
Thank you Strive, that makes this test more reasonable.