Mobile language class makes impression

  • Published
  • By Kathryn Gustafson
  • Language, Region and Culture Program Office
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  With their clipboards and homework packets in hand, students at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center boarded the bus and headed for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas.

However, this is no ordinary field trip. It is a mobile classroom, and the students are expected to actively participate and meet objectives as if they were in a typical classroom environment.

"It's a whole learning experience, and they can tie that back in when they're in the classroom," said Miconna Boaldin, the chief of the Field Studies Program.

Every year, approximately 2,700 international military students filter through the doors of DLIELC. Students from around the world travel to DLIELC for English language education and training, and to experience U.S. culture first hand.

"DLIELC ... what a crown jewel for American diplomacy and global engagement," said Thomas Shubert, the deputy director of the Air Force's Language, Region and Culture Program Office. "Everything we do is the first impression."

DLIELC remains at the forefront of U.S. efforts to build and foster security cooperation via American English language instruction to foreign military and civilian students, thus providing a critical component to the enhancement of global partnerships.

Recently, DLIELC's Field Studies Program introduced a new program that will bridge the gap between academics and real-life situations. Kelly Roosa, the adult learning advisor employed by Trofholz Technologies, Inc., said Classroom on Wheels incorporates DLIELC's processes and objectives through the context of cultural exploration and linguistic objectives, providing the students a more practical and interactive way to learn.

"Acculturation is the means to accomplish our mission of building partnership capacity; teaching English is the venue to that end," Roosa added.

The program provides the students with an adult learning and education experience, where they are able to practice their skills outside of the classroom in a more practical environment.

"There's no other way for them to get that experience than through our program," Boaldin said.

From general English language training to the instructor development branch, the Classroom on Wheels provides an active learning experience for all students, regardless of their level of English language training. From slide show presentations and vocabulary reviews to singing songs such as "Buffalo Soldier" by Bob Marley and "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson, the students were engaged and actively participating in different pieces of U.S. culture.

"You can either sit in the classroom and turn the pages of a book or get on a bus and sing, interact and learn in a fun and easy way," Roosa said.

Once they arrived at the museum July 24, the students were eager to ask questions as they were expected to complete their homework packets. The docents led the students through three different exhibitions where they learned about historical events and people, including the Alamo, the role of women during World War II, the Karankawa American Indians, buffalo soldiers and Sam Houston.

For many, the experience was inspiring, and as one officer from Saudi Arabia stated, "I am changing my thinking and understanding of American culture."

Rocky Perez, the museum's volunteer docent coordinator, said the students from DLIELC were by far his most rewarding group.
"I am happy to help the students support their countries to become better citizens of the world," Perez said.

Many of the students will leave DLIELC forever changed, and even something as simple as learning the lyrics to an American song will cement itself in their minds as a positive cultural experience.

As one recent DLIELC graduate said in his graduation speech, "Now when I look at the map and I see Austria, the Philippines, Slovakia, Egypt, Senegal or Peru, I see faces of my new friends."

Five minutes later he sat down with his guitar and sang Nelson's "On the Road Again."