BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED OVERVIEW OF LANGUAGE TRAINING AND TESTING IN THE FRENCH ARMED FORCES UNCLASSIFIED

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED FOREWORD Conditions Level/interest

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED Agenda 1.Overall policy and general layout of the French language training and testing 2.JITC mission of STANAG tests prior to a NATO appointment 3.Language training policy: focus on the French Air Force UNCLASSIFIED

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED Agenda UNCLASSIFIED 1.Overall policy and general layout of the French language training and testing 2.JITC mission of STANAG tests prior to a NATO assignment 3.Language training policy: focus on the French Air Force

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1- Appearences are deceptive No “DLI” Kein “FrSprA”

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-1- Language policy Reference documents: –MoD Instruction 208 –STANAG 6001 STANAG 6001 is THE common joint reference

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-1- Language policy Each and every service : –HR departments / training divisions –Schools, academies and training centres « Coordination and advisory body » : –Committee on Foreign Languages (<DS) Languages classification : –« common European » and « others » –General and professional –No FFL In the foreign languages domain each service and direction is in charge of the management and training of its personnel and of the organisation to implement.

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-2- Structures’ layout (joint level) Strasbourg Paris General Staff College Operational needs Multi-national communication MID/JITC (CFIAR) : Gendarmerie Nationale school of languages (FFL) Rochefort

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-2- JITC: how, what, and what for? History : –1986 : Joint School for Military Intelligence and Foreign Languages (EIREL) –2006 : Joint Intelligence Training Centre (CFIAR) Missions (MID, tri-service) –Intel courses (DAs, interceptors, NIC CDRs, allies,...) –Language training and testing “European” (OPS, Cadets) and “other” languages (40) ENG STANAG 6001 tests FR POC to the BILC : –reports to DS/HR and DS/INT and FL Committee

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-2- Structures’ layout (Army) Military Academy of Saint-Cyr Army Staff College NCO School Branch Schools Coëtquidan Dax Bourges Draguignan Saint-Maixent Saumur Rennes

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-2- Structures’ layout (Navy) Naval Military Academy Saint-Mandrier : Naval Training Centre Brest Toulon

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-2- Structures’ layout (Air Force) Specialised Language Training Centre Air Force NCO School Air Force Military Academy Tours Rochefort Salon-de- Provence

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-3- Testing : towards standardisation Air Force, 2003 : –SLP-type test for L4 JITC, 2009 (subordinated to DS) : –SLP-type test (multi-level) for all NATO appointments Saint-Cyr Military Academy, 2011 : –SLP-type tests (multi-level) : ENG, GER, SPA JITC/Army, 2014 : –SLP-type test for L4

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 1-3- Testing: on the right track ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE………. Committee on Foreign Languages ?

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED Agenda UNCLASSIFIED 1.Overall policy and general layout of the French language training and testing 2.JITC mission of STANAG tests prior to a NATO assignment 3.Language training policy: focus on the French Air Force

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 2- Background NATO summit, Strasbourg / Kehl 3-4 April 2009 “French decision to fully participate in NATO structures”

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 2- Basics Reference documents : –DS decision as of December 2008 : mandate to MID/JITC –STANAG 6001 : guidance Mission : –English tests, –STANAG format, –only for NATO assignments

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 2- Organisation 4 testing centres (responsibility : JITC) –(A) Saint-Cyr –(AF) Specialised Training Centre –(N) Training Centre

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 2- Test specifications Timetable : –2 sessions / year –6-month test development process Target population : – : 900 –From 2011 on : / year DS: « threshold » level (IAW E1101) : –3333 for officers –3322 for NCOs

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 2- Test specifications Test development and rating: –Content : general (& professional) English –Tasks : « stick to the STANAG » –Accuracy : multi-level, progressivity (bucket after bucket) Type of tests : –L & R : MCQs –W : 2 exercises, functional => expert –S : OPI, step by step Testers : teachers, instructors, natives

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 2- Objective Final decision for a NATO assignment relies in the hands of the DS Term of validity : 3 to 5 years

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED 2- Feedback SLTC Commander : –“Valid” –“On target”

BILC Conference Bruges 2014 MAJ (OF-3 FRA) Christophe TRIGODET UNCLASSIFIED Agenda UNCLASSIFIED 1.Overall policy and general layout of the French language training and testing 2.JITC mission of STANAG tests prior to a NATO assignment 3.Language training policy: focus on the French Air Force