asked Her Majesty's Government:
What training programmes in native Iraqi languages are currently available to troops prior to deployment in Iraq; what levels of proficiency are taught; and how many personnel have taken each of the courses available in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.[HL6691]
There are three courses specialising in Iraqi language training available for troops prior to deployment to Iraq, each with a different proficiency level. The numbers undertaking this training over the past three training years are shown in the table below.
Standard Language Profile Level (SLP) Proficiency Descriptor Description of Competence Numbers Trained Training Year 2003-04 Numbers Trained Training Year 2004-05 Numbers Trained Training Year 2005-06 1 Survival (one soldier per sub-unit) Copes with routine, social and practical demands and the most limited work demands. Cannot write in the language 36 60 60 1 Basic Patrol Arabic (Junior Commanders and soldiers) Copes with routine, social and practical demands and the most limited work demands. Cannot write in the language N/A 250 250 4 Operational Linguist Copes with routine social and practical demands using spoken and written skills. Copes with some of the more sophisticated and demanding situations encountered when listening to and reading in the language N/A 12 24
In addition to these three courses Cascade Training takes place at unit level during pre-deployment training over anything up to six months. The training is undertaken by those who have completed the Basic Patrol Arabic Course augmented by specially appointed and trained Operational Unit Education Officers. Once deployed, training is continued by the same staff augmented by the Theatre Education Centre. Every soldier is also issued with a language card which is taught during pre-deployment training and is practised regularly by all in theatre. Other courses are available but not routinely undertaken by those deploying to Iraq.