Special Operations Forces Language and Culture Needs Assessment: Immersion Training

Abstract

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.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA634209

Entities

People

  • Anna Winters
  • Dana Grambow
  • Eric A. Surface
  • Kathryn Nelson
  • Lauren Brandt
  • Natalie Wright
  • Reanna Poncheri Harman
  • Sarah Bienkowski
  • Stephen J. Ward

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Attrition
  • Deployment
  • Education
  • Foreign Languages
  • Instructors
  • Language
  • Military Science
  • Office Personnel
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychological Operations
  • Psychology
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Students
  • Training
  • United States
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Education

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.