Posted on Dec 11, 2016
Should local language training be mandated when Stationed overseas?
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Excuse my short comings.... I've never been stationed overseas so there may be a breadth of info I'm just not aware of.
But I feel language training, even at least to get bare minimum familiarization (spanglish, germanish, japangliah) with the language could be great for the soldier even if it's a short two year sentence. Even just for diplomacy reasons, having soldiers somewhat acclimated to their environment could be good. Thoughts?
But I feel language training, even at least to get bare minimum familiarization (spanglish, germanish, japangliah) with the language could be great for the soldier even if it's a short two year sentence. Even just for diplomacy reasons, having soldiers somewhat acclimated to their environment could be good. Thoughts?
Posted in these groups: 
OCONUS
Foreign Language
OCONUS Foreign Language
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 15
Where I was stationed in Germany, it was mandatory that all Soldiers and their families (if applicable) had to attend a week long Head Start program to get learned on the local customs and had to learn some basic language skills.
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MSG (Join to see)
LTJG (Join to see) - I can attest that this course was very beneficial. I learned the basic language skills I would need to navigate thru the town if I was walking, taking the bus or the train....also on shopping in various venues and eateries. But most importantly, it was the customs and courtesies I learned that was most helpful.
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LTJG (Join to see)
We're there options to get more advanced education if the soldier wanted to?
And Yep that's the other big positive I'd see from this... The diplomacy behind learning their culture. I feel being stationed in their country and taking the time and effort to learn at least the basics of their culture would be a great image to them. I feel we could use a bit of that.
And Yep that's the other big positive I'd see from this... The diplomacy behind learning their culture. I feel being stationed in their country and taking the time and effort to learn at least the basics of their culture would be a great image to them. I feel we could use a bit of that.
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MSG (Join to see)
LTJG (Join to see) - Back in the day, you used to be able to take Rosetta Stone Language courses for free thru AKO, but now that no longer applies. I would be willing to bet that the local base education office probably offers more advanced language classes. More often than not, unless someone already had advanced language education before arriving in country....most people learned as they went....with enough skill to not totally embarrass themselves when speaking the localese.
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Thing is, learning a bit of the local language helps with everything from simple shopping to the more...esoteric...things that men and women get up to. I never needed more inspiration than that, and that's why I speak both Japanese and Tagalog fluently.
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LTJG (Join to see)
That's the bigger idea behind this idea. From talking with other lower enlisted about this topic, it seems that between being forced to be stationed there and it being a short term sentence they view this as getting overly acclimated to an environment they both reject and can't wait to get out of. Learning this stuff has use way past their temporary assignment there. Plus culturally, I feel having our Americans being familiar with the local culture would make a better impression on them
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Hi, SPC Ladolcetta.
I've found that even the very basic use of the local language, even when you slaughter the pronunciation, goes a long way with the locals.
I've found that even the very basic use of the local language, even when you slaughter the pronunciation, goes a long way with the locals.
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
Quite true! I found (in Germany) if you at least started a conversation in the local lingo, many times the person you're speaking with would say, "I know a little English..."
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