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 LINGUISTIC CENTER

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 GOALS OF LIFELONG LANGUAGE LEARNING

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

STAGE 1 MoD SECONDARY SCHOOLS Aged 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

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

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

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

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

STAGE 2: Novelties 1 st YEAR2 nd YEAR3 rd YEAR4 th YEAR5 th YEAR 4 language classes a week Upgrading language proficiency in general English from Secondary School Level with a gradual drift towards professional topics Perfecting language performance in professional areas by branches Other -admittance exam; -standard language teaching through efficient check & attestation of teachers; -uniform training aids and books; -bonuses…

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

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

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

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

Language proficiency evaluation STAGE 1STAGE 2STAGE 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.

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

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS?