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ASSESSING ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING

PROGRAMS (ELTP)

ASSESSING AN ELTP

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRAMS

What are the objectives of the program?

Does the training program meet the objectives?

Is the structure of the program designed to meet the objectives?

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PURPOSE of ELTP

Visit the facilities

– Discuss with faculty

– Talk with students Observe

Meet with bilateral (coalition) language assistance personnel

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PURPOSE of ELTP

Understand the policy and organization

– Confer with the decision makers– Meet with managers

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KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL ELTP

The keys to a good English Language Training Program

– Well-trained teachers– Appropriate materials

»curriculum»tests

– Program management– Motivated students

Policy

Clarify Policy

– Write appropriate regulations– Enforce policy– Hold the institutes accountable

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PURPOSE OF ELTP

Clear

Measurable

Attainable

Disseminated

Approved

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PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

What is the goal?

Does the program meet the needs?

– Will the training lead to a promotion?

– Will the student be a translator or interpreter?

– Will the student need English in a training situation?

– Will the student be involved in multinational operations?

– Is the student aware of the level of English proficiency required for his military position?

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ELT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Does the training program meet the needs?

– Determine level of EL proficiency required for each position»Prioritize training accordingly

– Provide incentives »Students must perceive ELT as important

for career advancement»Attend training courses abroad»Serve as liaison officers»Act as interpreters/translators

DEFENSE-SPONSORED ELTCHALLENGES

Allocating limited resources

– Priorities driven by goal

»Educate many students to low level of proficiency

»Train few students to high proficiency level

»Combination of the two

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DEFENSE-SPONSORED ELTCHALLENGES

Are the policies and standards attainable?

– Program

»Number of hours dedicated to the program

• Intensive or Non-intensive

»Entrance requirements

»Class size

»Homogenous grouping

»Attrition

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NON-INTENSIVE ELTPNON-INTENSIVE ELTP

– Successful non-intensive ELT programs

»Feed students into intensive ELT

programs

»Reduce amount of time a student

spends in intensive ELT, and thereby

»Increase number of students who can be

given intensive ELT

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INTENSIVE ELTP

Characteristics of successful intensive ELT program

– Student time must be devoted exclusively to ELT; no distractions

– Five or six 50-minute periods of ELT per day, five days per week

– Two to three hours of homework per day– Continuous feedback on progress

DEFENSE-SPONSORED ELTCHALLENGES

Is there a quantifiable means of measuring success?

– Program

»Self-inspection

» Internal/External reviews

»Feedback

– Students

»Proficiency test

»Achievement tests

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DEFENSE-SPONSORED ELTCHALLENGES

Do the instructors meet the standards?

– Instructors

»Non-native speakers

• Civilian/military

• High level of language proficiency

• Trained

»Native speakers

• College graduate

• ESL/EFL trained16

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EFFECTIVE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Centralize the Intensive ELT

Make the manager of intensive ELT program responsible for controlling and monitoring all

– Instructor training– Academic standards– Curriculum– Allocation of all ELT personnel and

materiel resources

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ELTP TECHNOLOGY

High technology is not necessary for successful ELT program

– Necessary ingredients are»Good text books and tapes»Chalkboard and chalk»Good quality CD player

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