An Assessment of Hispanic Recruits Who Speak English as a Second Language

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the extent of the Navy's problem with recruits who speak English as a Second Language (ESL). One hundred and two Hispanic recruits were tested and interviewed at RTC Orlando to assess their proficiency in English and problems that low proficiency might be causing in recruit training. Two groups who work with Spanish-speaking recruits responded to a questionnaire. Results indicated (1) the Navy needs an ESL training program, (2) the Defense Language Institute's English Comprehension Level test should be used to screen recruits for ESL training, and (3) all recruits who speak English as a second language and who have had no prior U.S. education should be referred automatically to the ESL program. An economic analysis was also conducted. The analysis indicated that the costs which would be saved by lowered attrition would pay for the ESL program.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA087103

Entities

People

  • Eduardo Salas
  • J. Peter Kincaid
  • Nancy Ashcroft

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Facilities
  • Attrition
  • Basic Training
  • Curriculum
  • Data Analysis
  • Economic Analysis
  • Employment
  • English Language
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Instructors
  • Materials
  • Psychological Tests
  • Recruiting
  • Regression Analysis
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Students
  • Training

Fields of Study

  • Education

Readers

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Gender and Food Studies
  • Naval Personnel Management