Foreign Language Training

[medaid]

Several weeks ago a message came out which stated that the forces would be willing to post people who have a flare for languages, on a one year contract to learn languages that are useuful. I am one of those people who enjoys learning said useful languages and would love the opportunity. Anyone know where I can find said message? Cheers to all those that can help!

 

[brihard]

Hell, perfect thread for me to post my question. Keep the place tidy.

Call me a keener, but I'm seriously considering picking up a language learning pack for Pashto if I get confirmed for 3-08.

From guys who've been there: Would it be genuinely useful and worth my money? Moreover, has anyone else done this with any success?

 

[-rb]

Hell, perfect thread for me to post my question. Keep the place tidy.

Call me a keener, but I'm seriously considering picking up a language learning pack for Pashto if I get confirmed for 3-08.

From guys who've been there: Would it be genuinely useful and worth my money? Moreover, has anyone else done this with any success?

Brihard, have a look at the following link as a place to start, no money needed as it's a package available online from the Defense Language Institute out of Monterey,California. It has quite a broad range of language areas covered, everything from Command and Control phrases to basic greetings etc. You can get your fill of Pashto or pick from a various selection of other languages applicable in today's operating environments. Many of the country specific overviews available are quite informative as well, regional backgrounds, ethnic profiles etc....Anyways, have a look for yourself...

If you are just starting out in Pashto (I'm in the same boat) I suggest starting with these files (.zip download)
Pashto Basic LSK (PDF, Mar 2005) - pdf you can use to follow along with audio
Pashto Basic LSK (PDF audio companion, Mar 2005) - mp3 audio files

http://fieldsupport.lingnet.org/downloads.html

cheers.

 

[brihard]

Brihard, have a look at the following link as a place to start, no money needed as it's a package available online from the Defense Language Institute out of Monterey,California. It has quite a broad range of language areas covered, everything from Command and Control phrases to basic greetings etc. You can get your fill of Pashto or pick from a various selection of other languages applicable in today's operating environments. Many of the country specific overviews available are quite informative as well, regional backgrounds, ethnic profiles etc....Anyways, have a look for yourself...

If you are just starting out in Pashto (I'm in the same boat) I suggest starting with these files (.zip download)
Pashto Basic LSK (PDF, Mar 2005) - pdf you can use to follow along with audio
Pashto Basic LSK (PDF audio companion, Mar 2005) - mp3 audio files

http://fieldsupport.lingnet.org/downloads.html

cheers.

Holy crap, that's awesome! Thanks for the link- that will be helpful.

 

[brihard]

Sorry to necrothread this, but with 3-08 about six months out it may be something more people have an interest in.

I've been using the 'Headstart Pashto' package that the U.S. defense langauge institute has from the link provided in this thread. More specifically, http://fieldsupport.lingnet.org/products/headstart/pashto/index.html.

I'm only a couple of lessons in, but so far it's pretty damned good. Lots of general conversation, as well as lots of specific mission-oriented stuff. They have a whole module later on, for instance, on medical phrases and terminology that medics and TCCC people might find handy if they need to work with locals. There's a whole slew of other stuff, almost anything you could realistically need.

It requires a pretty serious time commitment to get anywhere, but it could potentially have a high payoff in theatre. I thought this might be worth bumping again.

 

[blacktriangle]

Thanks for this, I'm really interested in languages for both my CF and possible future careers.

How much have you learned to speak so far?

 

[brihard]

Thanks for this, I'm really interested in languages for both my CF and possible future careers.

How much have you learned to speak so far?

LOL... About 20-25 phrases of greetings and pleasantries- but I'm only a couple days into it.

It seems better than any of the stuff I bought off Amazon, anyway.

 

[blacktriangle]

Pretty cool. I think I have the dari alphabet down...actually forming sentences is another story.

 

[X-mo-1979]

When I was posted to CTC Gagetown they had a learning center on base where you could sign language packages out.
I recently stumbled upon the rosetta stone demo online. I found it amazing!My wife had told me during her years in another trade she could get these for free.

I'm currently in Petawawa and was wondering if anyone knew if we could sign these out anywhere.

Really good stuff.

http://www.rosettastone.com/demo-launch

 

[brihard]

When I was posted to CTC Gagetown they had a learning center on base where you could sign language packages out.
I recently stumbled upon the rosetta stone demo online. I found it amazing!My wife had told me during her years in another trade she could get these for free.

I'm currently in Petawawa and was wondering if anyone knew if we could sign these out anywhere.

Really good stuff.

http://www.rosettastone.com/demo-launch

X-mo, if you have any luck with that could you let me know? I've heard good things about Rosetta Stone, but I already have a number of other tour-related items clamouring at my bank account right now...