Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama —
The Department of the Air Force's priorities for modernizing the learning environment include developing innovative teaching methods to improve the knowledge, abilities, and skills of Airmen.
The Air Force Cultural and Linguistic Center's Language Intensive Training Event University (LITE U) model allows Airmen to speak in the target language about U.S. national security issues based on expert instruction from foreign language department instructors from various universities. We are addressing this priority through a course tailored to ensure that: All over the country.
“The LITE U program is designed to enhance LEAP Scholars’ knowledge of global and regional issues through learning, research and discussion in the target language,” said Keith McCabe, AFCLC’s LITE Program Manager. Ta. “Scholars with intermediate and advanced skills will improve their language skills for use in culturally complex environments.”
The LITE U course is based on an instructional model developed by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) in response to Section 529 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. Higher education institutions interested in critical and strategic languages tailored to meet operational readiness requirements. ”
“AFCLC partnered with DLNSEO to adapt this course model to current learning needs,” said Christopher Chesser, AFCLC's Chief of Languages. “DLNSEO and our contract universities have been instrumental in tailoring the curriculum to the needs of LEAP scholars, including topics affecting the Communist Party of China and the Russian Federation, as well as requirements for students' capstone presentations. It also includes incorporating a test of topic fluency in each student's target language.
Through this model, AFCLC tapped four universities across the country with existing language programs: the University of Montana, San Diego State University, the University of Utah, and Indiana University. LEAP Scholars receive six hours of foreign language instruction per day for her four weeks. Graduates of the course will receive her 6 hours of undergraduate credit.
This instruction includes real-life cultural situations that help LEAP scholars learn about the language and culture of a specific region. Understanding these important cultural aspects and local issues will help you improve your language skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
LEAP Operations Director Capt. Alexander Nastas is also a Russian and Romanian speaking LEAP scholar who recently participated in Russia's advanced LITE U program at Indiana University. He took the course with his four other Russian LEAP scholars and was able to practice his language skills beyond the classroom.
“We had the opportunity to discuss China's Belt and Road Initiative in the target language, as well as military terminology and key terms focused on Russian culture,” Nastas explained. “Having good instructors and classmates helps facilitate discussion in the target language and utilizes those terms.”
The course helped Nastas and his classmates increase their confidence in the terminology to engage in strategic conversations, which they were able to take back to their work sites as an asset to their current AFSC.
“This LITE helped me mature in my understanding of world events and adversaries that have a profound impact on U.S. foreign policy,” Nastas said. “Some of my classmates are part of the Intel community and some work for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, so you'll find this training very necessary.”
To date, 17 foreign area officers, 241 airmen including regular air force and reservists, 14 guardians, and one soldier have completed the LITE U course. Languages included Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Farsi, Portuguese, Brazilian, Russian, and Spanish. AFCLC is collaborating with academic partners to offer an additional 10 courses in the academic year.