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

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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

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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

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Language Training Strategy

Offer blended task-oriented language training, where blended means a mixture of

•monitored e-learning

•class-room meetings

•job-integrated training

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Programs

Pashto and Dari

Russian for Border Control Guards 

English for junior Army NCO’s

French for JISTARC

 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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DOME (Digital Environment Military English)

Functional and career EN

Technical EN

Basic Military EN

Enlisted ranks, NCO´s, Officers

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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

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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

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Conclusions

• Out of the class-room, into the field

• Language designer + military instructor designer

• Integrate language training in military program

• Create DOME: a modular structured language training archive

• Monitor the learners from a distance