Russian Defense Ministry Linguistic Center “Lifelong Language Learning: Russian Perspective”

1. Russian Defense Ministry Linguistic Center “Lifelong Language Learning: Russian Perspective” Prague– 2012

2. LINGUISTIC CENTER Established as part of the Military University of Moscow in October 2010 Mission: - foreign language training, retraining of Armed Forces’ active duty and civilian personnel; - foreign language support of MoD international activities, training of foreign military specialists, international military education programs

3. GOALS OF LIFELONG LANGUAGE LEARNING Developing foreign language proficiency for communication in general and professional areas Shaping social and cultural competencies and behavioral stereotypes required for effective multilingual communication throughout service career Developing ability for self-education for perfection of language proficiency in general and professional communication

4. LIFELONG LANGUAGE LEARNING CONCEPT Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 MoD Secondary Schools Proficiency Upgrade Programs Military academy/ college

5. STAGE 1MoD SECONDARY SCHOOLS • Aged 11-18 children of military prsnl. • 6 academic hours of foreign language a week for 7 years; • Compulsory end-of-course exam for a language proficiency level

6. STAGE 1: Agenda & Pilot Projects • Uniform curricula and textbooks; • Half-year testing for all; • Regular assessments of teachers; • Integrated Culture Course in English; • Olympiad – competition for best knowledge of English • Summer school

7. STAGE 2: History & Lessons Learnt • Language proficiency shortfall No requirement for language on entrance Two 45-min classes a week, four semesters ending in exam Six semesters on standby

8. STAGE 2: Past Attitudes & Approach • Contacts with peers highly unlikely, hence no need to learn; all you need is READ

9. STAGE 2: Changing Environment • Reductions: 36 academies left from about 100 before • Lots of international affairs involving Russian Armed Forces; • Rising wages and more incentives TIGHTER REQUIREMENTS

10. STAGE 2: Novelties • Other • admittance exam; • standard language teaching through efficient check & attestation of teachers; • uniform training aids and books; • bonuses…

11. STAGE 2: Interim Results • Policy documents approved • Unity of command achieved • First meeting of teachers convened • Curricula discussion under way • Nation-wide competition of cadets held

12. STAGE 3: Target-oriented upgrade • General English – 450-500 hours (3 months) • Military & civilian personnel of staffs, depts, offices, whose activities are tied with international military cooperation • Military English – 180-200 hours (2 months) • Language instructors and interpreters, appointed from civil life • UN observer course (combined) – 450-500 hours • officers applying for UN observer status • Interpreter course – 1200-1400 (10-months) • selected military and civilian personnel with high proficiency levels

13. STAGE 3: Target-oriented upgrade • On-demand courses: • Air Force “sky-talk”; • Navy comms procedure; • Peacekeeping “crash course”; • NCO course; • Pre-retirement course, etc. Job description & language need analysis

14. STAGE 3:Formats • Full-time courses – 200 psnl a year • On-the-job training – n/a • Distance training – in plans

15. Language proficiency evaluation STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 HALF-YEAR TESTING THROUGHOUT TERM OF INSTRUCTION PROFICIENCY TESTS (once a year) Language proficiency should be checked at the end of the training period every year by means of tests distributed by Linguistic Center or available online through a specialized network.

16. FUTURE PLANS • Multi-level & multi-faceted lifelong language learning; • Teaching Russian as foreign language; • Linguistic support of MoD activities; • Language proficiency evaluation and testing; • International education and training program assessment

17. THANK YOU! QUESTIONS?