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Language Testing Challenges at SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium

Explore the language testing issues faced at SHAPE in Belgium, new PE implementation, special operations courses, and solutions for personnel deployment. Discover the impact of deficient language skills on NATO activities.

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Language Testing Challenges at SHAPE Headquarters in Belgium

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  1. The SHAPEUpdate BILC Seminar – Varna, Bulgaria / October 2010 Chrystelle Petitjean SHAPE Language Testing Centre Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

  2. Que se passe-t-il en Belgique? Watis er aan de hand in België? Since 1st July 2010, Belgiumholds the EU Presidency…

  3. BUT… Elio Di Rupo, PS Bart de Wever, N-VA Eventhoughwehad new elections on 13 June, thesetwoguys do not seem to be able (or willing?) to reach an agreement, SO…

  4. still

  5. Belgiumisstillwaiting for a new government ! Belgian Prime Minister Wannabeour Prime Minister? 

  6. Testing at SHAPE: Jun – Sep 10 • June 24 tests * 10 certificates July 64 tests 33 certificates • August 37 tests 47 certificates • September 71 tests 8 certificates • TOTAL 196 tests 98 certificates * Testing one skill is considered as one test

  7. Testing at SHAPE: Jun – Sep 10 • Entry Tests Pass: 13 Fail: 26 Total: 39 66 % FAILED! • Re-Tests • Pass: 3 Fail: 3 Total 6 50 % FAILED! Does not include the volunteer tests and the civilian tests

  8. Testing at SHAPE: Jun-Sep 2010 • Test Failures deficient skills: Listening: 8 Speaking: 9 Reading: 6 Writing: 17 For the 26 who failed! 14 candidates failed 1 skill, 10 failed 2 skills, 1 failed 3 skills and 1 failed 4 skills!

  9. What’s been happening… • Approval of the new SHAPE Directive (SD) 75-4 (30 June 2010) • - Implementation of the new PE (Peacetime Establishment) on 1st August 2010

  10. Talking about the new PE… • Someinterestingfacts… • FRENCH OF-4 working as a briefer in the Public Affairs Office (PAO) • requires SLP 4444 with a desirable 5555… shebriefs in French! (No French • requirement…); • NCOswhoneed SLP 3333… ; • Some Job Descriptions (JDs) withoutany SLP… (How are wesupposed • to know?); • - The listgoes on…

  11. And finally… Let me introduce one of our new problems…

  12. NATO Special Operations Headquarters - Located on SHAPE in Belgium - Offers courses at NSTEP NATO SOF Campus located at Chièvres Garrison, Belgium

  13. The NSHQ is the single point of direction and coordination for all NATO Special Operations-related activities in order to optimize employment of Special Operations Forces to include providing an operational command capability when directed by SACEUR.

  14. PROBLEMS!! • Like other posts, personnel are being assigned to NSHQ with substandard • language levels • NSHQ personnel are often deployed to Afghanistan, in “hot” areas where a lack • of language skills can mean the difference between life and death! • EX: One Colonel (XX Army) requiring SLP 4444 arrived with a certificate from his nation • stating he was SLP 3333. SLTC tested him with the results of SLP 3232!

  15. MORE PROBLEMS!! • NSHQ offers Special Operations courses at Chièvres Garrison • - CJFSOCC Staff Officer Course • - CJFSOCC Planning Course • - CJFSOCC Joint Operations Center Course • - Signal Intelligence Overview Course • - etcetera… • The courses have a mandatory SLP requirement of 3333 • Students are arriving at the campus with poor language • skills, thus wasting time, resources and LOTS of money!

  16. SOLUTION • SLTC will be called upon to test students at the beginning of courses • when course administrators feel that it is necessary • OBVIOUS BEST SOLUTION • - NATIONS SHOULD SEND PERSONNEL WITH THE CORRECT SLPs!!

  17. The end…

  18. ? Questions?

  19. Write your questions on the back of a 50 Euro note and send to… TO: Mike @ SHAPE Dear Mike, My question is…

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