About Lenguax - Lenguax

Ben Rimron Ben enjoyed teaching English to Japanese students at both Durham University and then in Japan, before returning to the UK to establish roots. He was employed by Mayflower College, and from teacher to aviation English teacher to travelling examiner, things quickly progressed. Ben completed a Masters in Language Testing with Lancaster University and became Head of Testing for the Test of English for Aviation, helping to establish it as a predominant global test with multiple partnerships, wearing several different hats related to operations, commercial, examiner training, rating, compliance…. He got the PRINCE2 Practitioner Certificate in Project Management to organise his workload. He liaised with not only the UK CAA but many national aviation authorities and government agencies, and also represented his employer abroad many times, including in a consultancy role to the UAE’s nuclear energy agency. Ben’s interest in developing higher quality language testing products and service provision continues, and he has relished the opportunity to create, innovate and collaborate with a great team of warm, empathetic and expert professionals at Lenguax.

Tyrone Bishop Tyrone originally studied to become an Airline Pilot and, after having achieved his multi-engine and instrument rating, was unable to renew his medical. As he has always shown a keen interest in languages and linguistics, he decided to follow a similar career path. He obtained a Cambridge CELTA and went on to do an MA in Applied Linguistics & TESOL from the University of Sunderland and a second MA in Language Testing from Lancaster University. He is currently working on a PhD in Applied Linguistics through Leicester University, researching how native-speaking English pilots and ATCOs can deploy communication accommodation strategies during radio-telephonic interactions with non-native speakers. He has vast experience in the design and delivery of English language courses pursuant to the LPR’s in ICAO’s Document 9835 and circular 323. In addition to this he has extensive experience in the development of language testing systems. He loves the challenge of teaching English to speakers of other languages and loves helping people realise their potential and achieve their goals.

Paul Read Paul started teaching English in Slovakia and Russia, before returning to the UK where he became involved in aviation English training, firstly as a teacher and latterly as an examiner. After his DELTA, he quickly became recognized for his ability to develop teaching materials for his colleagues, and was put in charge of aviation course development at Mayflower College, where he produced face-to-face training for aviation English for pilots and air traffic controllers, as well as rater and teacher training programs. He also became involved in the development of the Test of English for Aviation, helping to establish it as a global test as a content writer, Senior Examiner, examiner trainer and Compliance and Monitoring Manager. One of his main interests is in technology and its use in teaching and testing. He has recently completed a MicroMasters in Instructional Design, and an MA in Language Testing from Lancaster University.

Esther Reith Esther grew up on air bases, as her mother was a member of the RAF, and so became familiar with Aviation from a young age. After completing a degree in Education, she began her teaching career as a primary school teacher specialising in reading and Maths. She then completed a Cert. TESOL from Trinity College London, with a particular focus on English for Academic Purposes (EAP). On her move back to Australia, where she had originated from, she began teaching IELTS preparation classes and EAP programs. In 2014 Esther was offered the opportunity to open and run a chain of English language schools in the north of India, specialising in IELTS preparation. Having set up four schools around the Punjab region of India, Esther returned to Australia where she was asked to set up the English department at an international helicopter training organisation. Through this role Esther became an Aviation English assessor for the Australia Aviation Authority as well as writing several textbooks, training programs, and the Certificate III in Aviation Language, Literacy and Numeracy. She went on to complete a Master of Education (Adult and Vocational Education) degree specialising in Aviation training.

Michelle Haworth Michelle is fascinated by languages, culture, and travel. After gaining an MS TESOL, she initially served as an ESOL teacher in various classrooms and finally landed at Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology in Fort Pierce, Florida (US), where she created – and is the Director of – the accredited Aviation English Program. She is a Rater of placement tests at the College and has also worked as ELP Examiner at European Flight Training (Florida) for 8 years. Michelle has authored three textbooks: Request Higher 3.0, Expedite Level 4, and Five by Five, and her curriculum is used by a variety of flight schools and institutions around the world. Michelle is also the President of Expedite Aviation English, a company which provides online Aviation English instruction to meet ICAO English and flight training English requirements.

Rob Julian Rob began his career in the English language teaching field in Melbourne, Australia. Having graduated with a degree in English and Fine Arts, he then completed further studies in graphic arts before moving into teaching academic preparation courses. He later branched out into writing and illustration projects for a number of ESL/EFL publications in Australia and then in Spain. Moving to London in 2007, he has since designed and delivered courses in the ESP field for Medical and Legal English, including Aviation and Military English courses for the Italian Air force. Furthering his teaching qualifications to DELTA level, he conducted research at Oxford Aviation Academy into the English language proficiency needs of ab-initio pilots from non-English speaking backgrounds, including syllabus development. Rob is an Aviation English interlocutor/rater and is an examiner for IELTS and for Trinity College London. He is also a keen cross-country glider pilot for which he currently holds an ICAO GPL, soon to be converted to an EASA SPL.

Robin Davies Robin was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Lancaster University having previously studied for an MSc in Materials, at the same institution. However, his passion for aviation, flying and everything aeronautical began to emerge and his first job was as a flight engineer on heavy jet aircraft. Following this he moved into corporate/business jets and became a HS-125 pilot on a Presidential flight in Africa. After a further move to the Middle East and then the Far East he returned to Europe. However, the financial crisis was biting and business jets were considered a nonessential luxury. He then turned to combining both his passions; teaching and aviation and became an SME teaching AGK subjects at ATPL level to both fixed wing and rotary pilots. He has even taught a future Monarch! After a few years he moved to British Airways as a simulator and technical instructor. Initially on the 787 and later adding the Queen of the skies, the 747 to his list of aircraft. A few years on and Robin added the 737 and the 757/767 to his expanding list of aircraft. Meanwhile, as an aside Robin has spent the last 17 years involved in Flight Safety and recently been actively involved with the 737 MAX Return to Service consultation. He also has links to Universities across Europe and their aviation/transport departments and assesses aeronautical research papers and gives lectures. At the end of 2019 he was introduced to ELT for aviation and has since qualified as an ELR. He is also a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. When time permits his other interest involves classic and historic Volkswagen cars.

Cpt. Koray Yılmaz, MRAeS, MSc, BEng Koray graduated from City, University of London, with a First-Class Honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering, leading to a Master’s degree at Cranfield College of Aeronautics. After a short spell at FLS Aerospace (Stansted Airport), he moved onto work for Rolls-Royce Aero Engines based in Derby as an Aerodynamicist and Rig Test Manager. At Rolls-Royce, he was involved in rig testing of notable projects such as the Trent 1000 (Boeing 787), Joint Strike Fighter and low-noise fan research. Following a long sought desire to fly, he was finally awarded a full sponsorship by Cyprus Turkish Airlines (CTA) that saw him obtain his Airline Transport Pilot License at InterCockpit Pilot Training Network (Lufthansa Flight Training). Having flown for CTA on the Boeing 737NG for two years before the flag carrier’s unexpected closure, he was forced to set his eye on new horizons, seeing him fly for Pegasus Airlines on both B737 Classics and NGs, where he also got his command upgrade. Meanwhile, privately, he set up his own company “CockpitAero Training, Testing and Consultancy”. For self development, he kept himself busy acting as visiting lecturer at various universities specialising in aviation safety related subjects. Consequently, he was appointed as a Flight Simulation Training Device Manager supporting a flying school in acquiring and certifying an FNPTII, and establishing the first CAA (UK)-approved English Language Proficiency test centre in Cyprus. Currently, Koray flies for SunExpress as a Captain on the B737NG aircraft and works under the Training Management department as vice project manager. He is also an active member of the Royal Aeronautical Society Flight Operations Group.

Andrea Brezonakova Andrea started her aviation journey in 2004. Initially, she thought about a career as a diplomat but then she chose something more exciting – flying aircraft! She worked hard to receive her first Boeing 737 job offer at the age of 21. A year later, she obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Zilina (yes, that is the town where the famous cyclist Peter Sagan comes from). She enjoyed studying at her alma mater so much that she returned for postgraduate studies on flight crew fatigue. Meanwhile, she has been employed with four different airlines in Europe where she had a great opportunity to experience different operational environments. The most recent one, Norwegian, has become a home for her. In October 2019, she was lucky to transfer to long haul and fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Apart from that, Andrea is an active member of the civil association Airliners.sk, a founder of the female pilots group in Slovakia, (her home country), a passionate cyclist and photographer. She enjoys helping others, and that is what brought her to ELP activities. As a Subject Matter Expert, she has some experience, testing English for Aviation and she believes that the ability to motivate or even inspire her pilot colleagues is extremely rewarding.

Graham Jones Graham began his long ATC career in 1972 with the UK CAA; following postings to Gatwick & Manchester Airports, London & Scottish Air Traffic Control Centres, he ventured overseas with IAL (later SERCO). Initially posted to Abu Dhabi Airport he began his involvement in training national controllers. Various postings followed – Bahrain, Bailbrook College UK (as an ATSI), Qatar. A return to Abu Dhabi in 1989 brought additional management responsibility – Al Ain Airport, UAE Air Traffic Control Centre, Ras Al Khaimah Airport. Leaving the UAE in 2012, he went to Erbil Airport, Kurdistan in Northern Iraq to manage the Serco ATC training contract, then to Baghdad as an ATSI at the ICAA (now GCANS) Training Academy. Throughout his career Graham has been actively involved in the training of many national controllers and became an Aviation English Rater in May 2016. Although now retired Graham continues his passionate interest in aviation.

Cheryl-Ann Robbins Having started out in the tourism and hospitality sector, Cheryl-Ann has had the opportunity to work in a number roles in different parts of the world. Over the last 10 years she has held customer facing and administrative roles. She has also occupied senior management positions overseeing large teams dealing with huge numbers of customer accounts. She is very customer focused and always happy to assist in any matters relating customer service and customer account management.

Cpt. Anthony Cherfan, CRMT, MCCI, TKI, ELP rater Anthony Cherfan, native Arabic/French speaker, initially started his career as a 4G Radio Access telecom Engineer with Ericsson in France. Following a long-sought desire to fly, he was finally awarded a part-sponsorship to complete his ATPL training in Spain with FTE Jerez as a Flybe cadet. Following his graduation, he joined the company where he was based in Edinburgh for 4 years progressing from First Officer to Captain in 2019. Following the collapse of Flybe and during the pandemic, he has worked hard and invested in skills he had interest in but didn’t have the time to follow when he was a full-time captain. He has managed to become a CRM Trainer as he was and still is fascinated by the Human Factors element in the aviation industry. As CRM and MCC trainings go hand in hand, he also became an MCC Instructor and will be delivering training in Paris on the B737. Having a strong aviation knowledge, he became a TKI (Theoretical Knowledge Instructor) with two ATOs in Spain and in Scotland teaching various subjects such as KSA, Air Law and Human Performance and Limitation. Finally, as a multi-lingual person who’s originally from an Arabic country and able to speak 4 languages, he wanted to focus on the communication side of the operations as it is crucial in the aviation industry and became an ICAO ELP rater.

Creating Confidence For aviation professionals

Meet the Lenguax Team

Ben Rimron

Tyrone Bishop

Paul Read

Esther Reith

Michelle Haworth

Rob Julian

Robin Davies

Cpt. Koray Yılmaz

Andrea Brezonakova

Graham Jones

Cheryl-Ann Robbins

Cpt. Anthony Cherfan

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