Special Operations Forces Language and Culture Needs Assessment: Immersion Training

This report provides an initial, broad evaluation of the current state of immersion training in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. Prior research in educational settings (e.g., universities) has documented the effectiveness of immersion training as a method of language learning; however...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bienkowski, Sarah, Brandt, Lauren, Grambow, Dana, Poncheri Harman, Reanna, Nelson, Kathryn, Surface, Eric A, Ward, Stephen J, Winters, Anna, Wright, Natalie
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
CONUS(CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES)
DEPLOYMENT
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
FREQUENCY
IMMERSION
IMMERSION TRAINING
LCNA(LANGUAGE AND CULTURE NEEDS ASSESSMENT)
Linguistics
MEASURES OF EFFECTIVENESS
Military Forces and Organizations
MILITARY TRAINING
OCONUS(OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES)
PROFICIENCY
SCORING
SOF(SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES)
SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES
TRAINING EFFECTIVENESS
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Summary:This report provides an initial, broad evaluation of the current state of immersion training in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. Prior research in educational settings (e.g., universities) has documented the effectiveness of immersion training as a method of language learning; however it is unclear how immersion training is perceived in the SOF community. This report describes the perceived effectiveness of immersion training and provides insight on how immersion training can be more effective in the future. Results from this study indicated only about one in ten SOF operators receive immersion training, which is typically conducted outside of the United States and lasts four weeks or longer. SOF operators and leaders suggested that immersion training be conducted more frequently, that participants be required to meet a minimum proficiency score to participate, and that immersion would be most effective immediately prior to deployment.