Evaluation of English Language Needs, Preparation, and Screening Among Non-Native English Speaking Officers and Soldiers

Abstract

This research note offers information that will contribute to the establishment of minimum competency levels for two tests of English proficiency -- the English Comprehension Level Test and the Oral Proficiency Interview. Data were collected from the Defense Language Institute and the Personnel Information Systems Command, based on the responses of 72 non-native English speaking soldiers, and 39 of their supervisors, and from 119 surveys of officers commissioned in Puerto Rico. Finding indicate that the tests do not adequately measure the English language proficiency soldiers need to do their jobs. A model for determining the validity of established test standards is appended Keywords: Test construction psychology; Personnel selections; Army officer personnel selection; Enlisted personnel; English as a second language; English language instruction; Military education; Basic skills.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA203611

Entities

People

  • Diane M. Hoffman
  • Lee M. Hoffman
  • Robin A. Dean

Organizations

  • American Institutes for Research

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Employment
  • English Language
  • Enlisted Personnel
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Grammars
  • Hispanics
  • Instructors
  • Linguistics
  • Military Education
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Science
  • Military Training
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Students
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Education

Readers

  • Computational Linguistics
  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.