Teaching Military English - HELP!!

[alexia]

Hello everyone,
I am looking for some resources (textbooks, websites...) where I could find ideas, anything on vocab/expressions used by military personnel. I teach English to Italian military soldiers in Italy and my students need to learn English for the purpose of understanding instructions and basic military lexis.
Thanks

[fluffyhamster]

Have you used the search function here on Dave's? ('Search and destroy mission, Sah!'). There are a few threads, some with a link or two (OK, it's not much, but it's a start).

Then, you might want to check out books such as:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/15564 ... eader-link

Some of the less silly books by the likes of Andy McNab

Inside Delta Force etc

Escape and Evasion in your living room: the SAS Armchair Survival Guide by John "Agoraphobic" Stupidwoman (forthcoming)

HamsterBait: Secrets from the Hamster's Den for Surviving "The Cage" by Ken "Pom pom" Shamsham, "The world's most dangerous man unto himself" (with Eli Teri Sari, consultant) (deleted)


When I was into guns, I used to name each one I saw (along with calibre, magazine capacity, rate of fire/rpm, muzzle velocity, effective range etc - ha, only joking about this bracketed stuff) in all the violent movies I used to (and sometimes still do) watch.

There are also some interesting games (wargames, tactical simulations etc) that you can buy which can sometimes teach you a fair bit of military lingo.

Just having a bit of fun here, hope you don't mind!

[alexia]

Very Funny!! ta

[sstamey]

where are you teaching? I teach the defence general staff (military) in Rome!
Anyway, Macmillan has a new series out, in fact they only have the first two levels out, it's called campaign They have also written vocabulary workbooks and a military dictionary. Hope that helps! Ciao!

[alexia]

hi and thank you for your reply. I teach military students who are taking part of the 'Euroformazione project' in Belluno.

[tonetrippen]

Hi all

I too was teaching the military in Brunico through the 'Euroformazione project'. In my case it was a matter of teaching them how to be Paliagi in English (or vice versa in Italian)and not at all anything military. I do however have a book called "Command English" that I have not used at all. Seems to have a lot of terminology and lessons for the military. The job lasted two months and am now looking for work in the Brunico area as I have just signed a 6 month contract for an apartment and a "super ski dolomiti" ski pass.

Looking forward to hearing from anybody.

Antonio

[Jeddah Aquanaut]

Hi!

I have taught EFL in Saudi Arabia for 12 years, all but 1 in military EFL. I managed to get Campaign introduced in the Air Defence Forces Institute in Jeddah. It is a very good and comprehensive basic intro to military terms, life and a good deal more. It is a military syllabus for a military group of students. Not many of even the so-called "professionals" in the EFL field appreciate just how different military students' needs are compared to those in regular classes.

Anyway, I wrote a basic tech book for Air Defence, with chapters such as missile systems, radar, intercept stages, electronic warfare and command control and communications. I was never in the military, but I find it a fascinating subject. I have always been interested in it, and have amassed a sophisticated library of print and multimedia, field and tech manuals, etc...(mostly, but not limited to, air defence). I'd be happy to communicate with anyone desiring more. I'd also like to network with others in this field, as I expect to continue with it in the future. I would learn as much, if not more, from such contact. It's not exactly a big community within EFL. Drop me a pm, and we'll get in touch. --David

[stockett]

I am resurrecting this older post...forgive me.

I have just embarked on teaching two ESL classes to military (general staff), one intermediate and one high-intermediate/advanced.

The school who got the contract was planning on using Campaign lvl 3, which is now released. I've reviewed the student book and it looks very good, and I am still getting the teacher's book and Classroom Audio CD this week, but I think only the intermediate class will use the text, as it is geared towards getting TO a Stanag lvl 3, which many of the students already have.

I am therefore desperately searching for material that I can use for a more advanced group. The classes are two @ 90mins/week, for 9 months.
Obviously there's a lot here in Dave's ESL Cafe, which I will be coaming through, but I'd love any feedback, tips and materials anyone feels would be useful.

[sueh]

Just another bump to this thread. Last summer I did a week and a half intensive 7 hour days teaching on a Euroformazione project here in Italy in the Western Alps. There were some materials available but I was unable to persuade the training agency to fund the use of 'Campaign' although I had a sample copy which I found useful for some ideas and terminology. My students were all short service volunteers (VFB) but the English level was such that a lot of general stuff was useful. (As my Italian colleague pointed out, a lot of them didn't speak Italian very well either - only dialetto). There was also an Italian software program called 'Missile' which I tended to use in the afternoon, as by then they were flagging and could do some CALL work at their own pace.

Tonetrippen, did you get your work and ski-pass? I did over here and glad to say it's snowing and I'll be up the hill again tomorrow...

[Phil L.]

We use the campaign series of books. There is also a supporting website.

[ashvital]

I would take liberty to offer you an article
http://www.esp-world.info/Articles_11/a ... 5B2%5D.htm
A PRAGMATIC ACCOUNT OF AVIATION MANUALS
Simone Sarmento
at http://esp-world.info

[alexcase]

There's a good unit on war in the old edition of Headway Advanced that might be useful. If you analyse the language they will need in terms of functions (giving orders?), you will also find other stuff in general and business books that will be adaptable.

TEFLtastic blog- http://tefltastic.wordpress.com

[deanbush]

I recommend that you visit the British Council at http://www.britishcouncil.org to get some materials they have developed for use in teaching English to military personnel.

[deanbush]

I have seen that all of the posts here are about Military English courses and materials. I have also seen on other posts in other areas that include Peacekeeper English. I am wondering what the difference is if there is any difference and who the peacekeepers are. Anybody know?

Dean[/b]