1. The British Military English Course at Shrivenham Colette Fyfe
Striking a Balance
The British Military English Course at Shrivenham
Colette Fyfe

2. British Military English Course Basic Information
Two 12-week courses per year
January – April: SLP2-ish
September – December: SLP1-ish
Military/Defence personnel
Military/civilian tutors

3. English weather is great! I can write but I can’t speak I saw a WOMAN!
We hate those guys
I need my level 3
I came prepared
I am proud of my country
OMG there’s a Colonel
in my class
I can read but I can’t write
I work for the Ministry

4. The Challenge of Diversity
Nationality
Religion
Level of English
Rank
Education
Military culture
General culture
Gender
Personality
My English I speak him fantastic, thanks God

5. External contract – flexibility Tailored sifting process:
Our Tutors
External contract – flexibility
Tailored sifting process:
Qualifications? Military career/family? Experience teaching in Asia/Middle East/Africa/Europe? Experience in materials/course writing? UK MOD experience? Overseas MOD experience?

6. Syllabus and Methodologies
Both topic-based and situational
Grammar, vocabulary, discourse, pronunciation
Listening, speaking, reading, writing
Task-based
Communicative
‘bottom up’ and ‘top down’
Chalk and talk

7. Instructional Scalar TASK TRAINING OBJECTIVE TOPIC SCENARIO
FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE
GRAMMAR
LEXIS
TASK
PARTICIPATE IN HUMANI-TARIAN OPS
1. CONDUCT A MEETING
2. COLLABORATIVE TASK
3. PRESENTATION
4. WRITTEN REPORT
HUMANIT-ARIAN OPS: NATURAL DISASTER
CASEVAC
OPEN A DISCUSSION/MEETING
AGREE/DISAGREE
REQUEST CONTRIBUTIONS
ADD POINTS
INTERRUPT
MOVE DISCUSSION ON
CLOSE A DISCUSSION/MEETING
MODALS: CAN, CAN’T MUST, MUSTN’T,
SHOULD,
SHOULDN’T’
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
EXTREME WEATHER
NATURAL DISASTERS
INJURIES
FIRST AID
VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
PLANEX: SPLENDID ISLAND: COLLABORATIVE TASK (TABLE)
PRESENTATION
BRIEF
WRITE REPORT

10. Thank you for your attention
“….the glib and oily art, to speak and purpose not……”