ULIS used ELSA Business in a blended English programme for 172 air traffic control learners in Vietnam, and average EPS rose from 60.6 to 70.0.
The programme review covers June 2026 to July 2026. Learners completed an average of 83.8% of their assigned ELSA exercises, and all 48 learners who answered the end-of-programme survey reported improved English.
The University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS), part of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, trains English-language learners across a range of professional and academic programmes.
ULIS and ELSA Business at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Customer | University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS), Vietnam National University, Hanoi |
| Industry | Higher education |
| Location | Hanoi, Vietnam |
| Programme | Air Traffic Control English Programme |
| Learners | 172 air traffic control learners |
| Delivery | 60% classroom instruction, 40% self-directed practice on ELSA |
| Product | ELSA Business |
| How progress was measured | ELSA Proficiency Score (EPS), and an end-of-programme learner survey with 48 responses |
Why did ULIS's air traffic control learners need more speaking practice?
Air traffic controllers must communicate effectively in English on the job, and classroom time alone left limited room for repeated speaking practice.
ULIS needed a way to extend spoken English practice beyond class time without adding to instructors' workload.
How did ULIS combine classroom teaching with ELSA Business?
ULIS built a blended 60/40 programme: 60% classroom instruction from ULIS teaching staff and 40% self-directed practice on ELSA.
Outside class, learners completed assigned speaking activities, received pronunciation feedback and practised air traffic control scenarios on their own.
Progress was tracked with the ELSA Proficiency Score (EPS), which measures English proficiency based on speaking performance across pronunciation, intonation, fluency, grammar and vocabulary.
Did ULIS's learners actually use ELSA?
Yes. Learners completed an average of 83.8% of their assigned ELSA exercises across the reporting period.
- Assigned practice: 83.8% average completion of ELSA exercises.
- Share of the course: 40% of the programme ran as self-directed practice on ELSA.
How did ULIS measure learners' English progress, and what changed?
Average EPS rose by 9.4 points, from 60.6 to 70.0, across the reporting period.
The end-of-programme survey had 48 responses. All 48 learners reported some improvement in their English, and average self-rated confidence rose from 6.5 to 7.5. 94% said combining ULIS classes with ELSA was more effective than classroom instruction alone.
| Measure | Start | End | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average EPS | 60.6 | 70.0 | +9.4 points |
| Average self-rated confidence (survey) | 6.5 | 7.5 | +1.0 |
Source: ULIS and ELSA programme review, 2026.
What does ULIS say about ELSA?
"For air traffic control professionals, English needs to be practised repeatedly and accurately because communication is closely connected to real operational situations… This makes the 60/40 blended model much more practical than relying on classroom instruction alone."
ULIS English Instructor, Air Traffic Control English Programme
"I can communicate with pilots in English more effectively and confidently, which helps me complete my daily work better and faster."
Phan Ngọc Tân, Air Traffic Control Learner
Frequently asked questions
What English training did ULIS use in Vietnam?
ULIS combined its own classroom teaching with ELSA Business in a blended Air Traffic Control English Programme. ULIS teaching staff delivered 60% of the course in class. The other 40% was self-directed practice on ELSA, including assigned speaking activities, pronunciation feedback and scenario practice for 172 learners.
How was the ULIS programme split between class and ELSA?
The programme used a 60/40 model. Sixty percent was classroom instruction from ULIS teaching staff, and forty percent was self-directed practice on ELSA outside class. Learners completed an average of 83.8% of the ELSA exercises they were assigned during the reporting period.
What is the ELSA Proficiency Score?
The ELSA Proficiency Score (EPS) measures English proficiency based on speaking performance. It covers pronunciation, intonation, fluency, grammar and vocabulary. In the ULIS programme, average EPS rose from 60.6 to 70.0 across the reporting period, a gain of 9.4 points.
What did ULIS learners say in the survey?
48 learners answered the end-of-programme survey. All of them reported some improvement in their English, and average self-rated confidence rose from 6.5 to 7.5. 94% said combining ULIS classes with ELSA was more effective than classroom instruction alone. These are self-reported survey results.
How long does the ULIS programme review cover?
The review covers June 2026 to July 2026. In that period, 172 air traffic control learners followed the blended programme, completed an average of 83.8% of their assigned ELSA exercises, and raised their average EPS from 60.6 to 70.0. ELSA made up 40% of the course.
