Towards task-oriented blended language learning
Karijn HelslootDefense Intelligence and Security InstituteNetherlands
Ministerie van Defensie2
Defence Language Centre Dutch Defence Academy (NLDA, Breda)
• the interpreter’s section (3)• the translation section (6)• the five separate language teaching & training
sections •Air Force Training Command (3) •Navy School for Enlisted Ranks and NCOs•Land School for Enlisted ranks (NCOs) (1,5)•Defence Academy (8) •Intelligence & Security Institute (8)
language training, testing, development and policy section
Ministerie van Defensie3
Objectives
• share knowledge and materials between language teachers
• collaborate in (test/course) material design and production
• update the approaches to language training and support
• have a single portal for supply and demand
• have a digital system
•language needs
•the soldiers’ and civilians' language knowledge
• have a central language policy
Ministerie van Defensie4
BILC’s Language Assessment, March 2012
Final Report
Cooperative Language Training Assessment
• Policy and Management
• Implementation and Training
Ministerie van Defensie5
Policy and Management
• the lack of a systematic inventory of the language needs
• the absence of a flag officer to promote the language case at the central policy and management level
• the language training times in the NLDs are very, very short
• establish a testing policy
Ministerie van Defensie6
Implementation and Training
• Develop learning curves w.r.t. English
• Develop a Stanag test English as well as a screening out device for lower proficiencies
• Create pool of language experts (English language coordinators and assistants)
• Start train-the-trainer programs
• Assess the digital learning options
Ministerie van Defensie7
Language Training Strategy
Offer blended task-oriented language training, where blended means a mixture of
•monitored e-learning
•class-room meetings
•job-integrated training
Ministerie van Defensie8
Programs
Pashto and Dari
Russian for Border Control Guards
English for junior Army NCO’s
French for JISTARC
Ministerie van Defensie9
Pasto and Dari
1. Welcoming2. Introducing3. Speaking and Communication4. Inviting5. Asking for information6. Warning for danger
7. Police training8. Law and culture9. Women’s programs
Ministerie van Defensie10
Contributing to building up the security sector in mission areas
Workflow: carrying out and coordinating security tasks
Core task: Security & Surveillance
Border control tasks
Guarding and protecting vital locations and persons
Assisting and working jointly with the police
Police and security tasks at airports
Upholding law and order for the armed forces and investigating criminal offences
Workflow: carrying out first-line border control tasks in Russian
Workflow: carrying out border control tasks
Marechaussee security guard
Ministerie van Defensie11
Workflow: conducting first-line border control tasks in Russian
Understanding travel documents
Conducting a short general interview
Asking work-place specific control questions
Asking general control questions
Can read namesCan read place of birthCan read place of issueCan read place of residenceCan read dates (incl. months)Can read statement of sex
Can read nationality
Can greet persons
Can say goodbyeCan exchange pleasantries
Can give instructionsCan (briefly) explain proceduresCan ask for clarification/
repetitionCan express his or her approval/
disapprovalCan request travel documentsCan understand responses to
the above
Can ask (short) factual questions and understand the responses related to:* speaking languages* identity* stay (duration and location)* transfer (from and to destinations)
AirportsCan ask (short) factual questions and understand the responses
related to:* purpose of visit (business, tourism, visit)
* finances (cash and credit cards)
SeaportsCan ask (short) factual questions and understand the responses related to:* how to contact the captain* crew list* position on ship* location of work and sleep station*location of personal belongingsCan introduce himself (incl. aim/position)Can ask about wellbeing
Mobile Security MonitoringCan ask (short) factual questions and understand the responses related to:* purpose of visit/travel route
* finances* mutual relationships of passengers
Ministerie van Defensie12
English to junior NCO´s Land Forces6 Day training course Military English (26 hrs)SubjectLanguage skillsDay 1 – 4 hrsIntroduction student’s bookGeneralIntroduction to the courseSpeakingImportant military words and expressions Vocabulary / Abbreviations & acronymsWall charts ‘AIFV CV 9035NL’, ‘Army Structure’, ‘Colt C7’, ‘METHANE Report’, 'MB 290D’, ´Soldier´s Kit´, ´Combat Ration-MRE´VocabularyExercises Important military words and expressions 1Vocabulary / Abbreviations & acronymsDescribing situationsSpeakingGeographical expressions 1 VocabularyDay 2 – 4 hrsImportant military words and expressions Vocabulary / Abbreviations & acronymsOperational terminologyVocabularyThe OPORD – Platoon OrderReading / Vocabulary / Abbreviations & acronymsIssue of Platoon Order
by US SGM Johnson (film clip)Listening /
Abbreviations & acronymsConfirmation Brief (CB) – in classSpeakingGeographical expressions 2 VocabularyLegendVocabularyHomework assignment ICBBSpeakingDay 3 – 4 hrs ICBB Speaking Exercises Important military words and expressions 2Vocabulary / Abbreviations & acronymsBriefing of OPORD – Prepositions and military timingsGrammar Warning Order (WARNORD) - in classSpeakingDay 4 – 4 hrsBriefing of OPORD – ListeningListening Intro speaking assignment –
issue of section/squad order SpeakingRadio communication, Procedure wordsVocabulary + homework: study prowordsRadio conversations ‘FIREREP’ListeningDay 5 – 4 hrs9-Line MEDEVAC RequestListening / SpeakingExercise Radio communicationSpeakingCommands and warnings VocabularyDay 6 – 4 hrs
– 2 hrsIssue of section/squad orders (in pairs)Speaking Test and EvaluationVocabulary
Ministerie van Defensie13
6 Day training course Military English (26 hrs)
Subject Language skills
Day 1 – 4 hrs Introduction student’s book GeneralIntroduction to the course SpeakingImportant military words and expressions Vocabulary / Abbreviations &
acronymsWall charts ‘AIFV CV 9035NL’, ‘Army Structure’, ‘Colt C7’, ‘METHANE Report’, 'MB 290D’, ´Soldier´s Kit´, ´Combat Ration-MRE´
Vocabulary
Exercises Important military words and expressions 1 Vocabulary / Abbreviations & acronyms
Describing situations SpeakingGeographical expressions 1 Vocabulary
Day 2 – 4 hrs Important military words and expressions Vocabulary / Abbreviations & acronyms
Operational terminology VocabularyThe OPORD – Platoon Order Reading / Vocabulary /
Abbreviations & acronymsIssue of Platoon Order by US SGM Johnson (film clip)
Listening / Abbreviations & acronyms
Confirmation Brief (CB) – in class SpeakingGeographical expressions 2 VocabularyLegend VocabularyHomework assignment ICBB Speaking
Ministerie van Defensie14
6 Day training course Military English (26 hrs)
Subject Language skills
Day 3 – 4 hrs ICBB Speaking
Exercises Important military words and expressions 2 Vocabulary / Abbreviations & acronyms
Briefing of OPORD – Prepositions and military timings Grammar
Warning Order (WARNORD) - in class Speaking
Day 4 – 4 hrs Briefing of OPORD – Listening Listening
Intro speaking assignment –issue of section/squad order
Speaking
Radio communication, Procedure words Vocabulary + homework: study prowords
Radio conversations ‘FIREREP’ Listening
Day 5 – 4 hrs 9-Line MEDEVAC Request Listening / Speaking
Exercise Radio communication Speaking
Commands and warnings Vocabulary
Day 6 – 4 hrs
– 2 hrs
Issue of section/squad orders (in pairs) Speaking
Test and Evaluation Vocabulary
Ministerie van Defensie15
Yesterday Today Tomorrow
22 hrs in 1 wk 50 hrs in 6 wks Integrated modules in entire school period
Class room Class room + in the field
On-line + class room+ in the field
English for Junior and Senior Army NCO’s
Ministerie van Defensie16
DOME (Digital Environment Military English)
Functional and career EN
Technical EN
Basic Military EN
Enlisted ranks, NCO´s, Officers
Ministerie van Defensie18
Language Inventory JISTARCWerknemer / Naam
PS nummer Invuldatum
Taal Moedertaal Spreken Lezen Schrijven Diploma Gebruik
taal 1 Nederlands Ja Goed Goed Goed Ja Dagelijks
taal 2 Engels Nee Goed Goed Goed Ja Maandelijks
taal 3 Frans Nee Elementair Elementair Elementair Nee
Een paar keer per jaar
taal 4 Spaans Nee Elementair Elementair Elementair Ja
Een paar keer per jaar
taal 5 Duits Nee Goed Goed Goed Nee Maandelijks
Ministerie van Defensie19
JISTARC Summary
Afdeling aantal ingevuld Frans JA Elementair Redelijk Goed Zeer goed
Stafesk Co-gp 4 3 3
Log-pel 15 1 1
C2ost 10 3 2 1
Sie 2 4 0
Sie 3 6 5 5
Sie 4 4 2 1 1
Sie 6 en SBK 10 7 6 1
102 EOV Cie Staf 19 7 4 3
EOV pel 1 19 2 1 1
EOV pel 2 19 8 5 1 2
Logpel 11 3 2 1
104 Verk-esk 64 30 28 2
107 AS Bt 75 12 8 4
TOTAAL 260 83 66 11 5 1