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www.e3a.nato.int
Developing Intercultural Awareness and
Communication Enhancement Training within NATO:
-
the NAEW&CF E-3A Component experience.
Russell C. KentMA, Applied Linguistics & ELT
Faculty of International CommunicationUniversity Zuyd Maastricht,
&Maastricht University
The [email protected]@hszuyd.nl
Disclaimer
I wish to state that I do not officially represent the E-3A Component in
Geilenkirchen Germany.
However, the Component leadership do not have any objection to my giving this
presentation to you.
Background
NAEW&CF E-3A Component, Geilenkirchen Established 1982, only multinational NATO
operational flying unit. 3100 multinational military/civilian personnel 17 E-3A, 3 TCA
Background
FOB Aktion, Trapani, Konya FOL Oerland 30 multinational aircrews 15 nations Squadrons: 3 Operational, 1 Training Principal role: Air Surveillance
www.e3a.nato.int
Why establish a CAW/CEP
MA Dissertation research project Perception of use of English 2 NATO HQs:
• E-3A Component – US/Canadian NS
• HQ ARRC – UK NS
Approx 30% respondents felt mission effectiveness compromised
Overwhelming majority wanted training
Why establish a CAW/CEP
Component leadership wanted training Cost to NATO, Component and individual Asked to design, develop, deliver programme Component personnel training Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Culture and Language influence each other
Cultural Awareness Workshops - Aims
Make Component members aware of impact of culture on communication
Knowledge to identify cultural differences Skills to apply knowledge Make NS aware of their use of English
Communication Enhancement - Aims
Provide assistance to NNS who require or request support
Allow any NNS to voluntarily participate
Cultural Theory and Practitioners
Cultural Theory
• Hall
• Hofstede
• Trompenaars
• Mole Practitioners
• Kohls, Storti, Peterson, Thomas, Inkson Trainers Course Bath – Pilbeam and Lynch Sivasailam Thiagarajam (Thiagi)
Workshop Content
Agreement to most effective approach Generic – own culture, ethnocentricism, move
beyond confines Perception - the ‘other’, stereotyping Cultural concepts Experiential – cultural encounters Quiz – fun, participant generated
Workshop Content
NS understand how their use of English affects communication
Discuss typical problems with NNS Explore international English NS experiential activity
• Handle sensitively
Workshop Content
Important to Debrief each activity – allow time
Typical debrief questions:• What happened?
• How do you feel?
• What did you learn?
• How does this relate to the real world?
• What next?
Workshop Content
Keep lectures to a minimum Most feedback indicated low tolerance of
lectures. Consistent with knowledge of adult learning
preferences Promote discussions, experiential Avoid ‘Death by PowerPoint’
Typical Workshop Programme Day 1
Day One
Introduction 0900 30 mins Introductory map activity
Working rules for the workshop
Review workshop objectives
Cultural Concepts 09:30 60 mins What is culture?
What is culture for you?10:30 15 mins Break
Exploring Culture 10:45 75 mins Cultural Icons
Perceptions of own/other cultures
Stereotyping12:00 60 mins Lunch
Cultural Concepts 1300: 60 mins Cultural Frameworks /Concepts
14:00 45 mins Tips for working with another culture
Review 14:45 15 mins Review day, further reading
Typical Workshop Programme Day 2
Day Two
Cultural Encounter 09:00 30 mins The Visitor Game
International English 09:30 45 mins Using English Internationally
10:15 15 mins Break
Meetings 10:30 30 mins Language of Meetings
11:00 60 mins Practice Meeting
12:00 60 mins Lunch
Quiz 13:00 60 mins Culture Quiz
Working with other people 14:00 45 mins What advice would you give?
14:45 15 mins Review and Personal Action Plan
Documentation
Workshop Manual• Background information on cultures present
• Intercultural guidelines /tips
• Theory – cultural frameworks/contexts
Certificates• Attendance
• Quiz
Participants
All workshops bar one mixed nationalities One US personnel only – more difficult Numbers
• Lowest 8
• Maximum 32
• Approx 20 ideal
Feedback• Positive, particularly for discussions
Personnel Training
5 day Intercultural trainers course LTS Bath 3 Component personnel Led 4 activities in total
Equipment
Room big enough for 20 – 30 people Tables chairs Laptop/PC with speakers Projector/screen
Follow up workshops
3 – 6 months after initial workshop Ascertain usefulness of initial workshop Input from participants Fine tune further workshops
Communication Enhancement
Support/assistance for NNS Also voluntary participation Syllabus development considerations
• Impossible to determine in advance personnel requiring training
• Impossible to determine exact communication problem in advance
Communication Enhancement
3 month rolling syllabus Participants can join as required Different levels of ability allowed Shorter time frame possible Problem areas
• Listening in the aircraft• Pronunciation• Fluency• Vocabulary development
Communication Enhancement
No grammar
Considered extremely important to assist in language areas where problems are difficult or impossible to foresee in a classroom setting before arriving at the Component
Communication Enhancement
Only 2 students recommended for CEP
Student 1• Listening to US NS in aircraft
• Adapted activities from a different context
2nd Student• Component testing personnel felt no instruction
necessary
Future Developments
CAWs relevant in multinational military community
Component experience as a framework Personnel can meet in a relaxed atmosphere
before training commences
Working with other people
You have been selected as one of a two experts to be sent to coordinate a location as a Deployed Operating Base. You are likely to be away for at least a week.
Your commander has told you that you can choose between two subordinates who have both volunteered.
Both people are well qualified, competent and have a good track record on similar deployments.
So you know, no matter who you choose, the mission will be accomplished successfully.
All things being equal, what will be the deciding factor when making your choice?
Working with other people
When asked this question, most people answer:
The person they trust or the person they like
Someone they just ‘click’ with.
CAWs offer opportunities to get to know each and form a basis of trust which can only
improve working relationships
Resources
Should you require it, please e-mail me for a
complete list of resources used during the
development of both programmes.
Thank you for your attention
Questions?
