Defence Academy supports new chapter for Kuwaiti language institute

16 December 2024
international
A man dressed in civilian clothes in front of a laptop while teaching Kuwait students.

A man dressed in civilian clothes in front of a laptop while teaching Kuwait students.

Kuwaiti graduates from the Defence Centre for Languages and Culture (DCLC) are set to lead the way at the Defence Language Institute in Subhan (DLI-Subhan), Kuwait.

Having previously undertaken the 12-week British Military English Course (BMEC); ten officers and non-commissioned officers have now also completed an intense three-week Train the Trainer (T3) programme. They will go on to form a new uniformed English Language Training (ELT) capability at the institute.

Delivered by the Defence Centre for Languages and Culture (DCLC), the T3 course offers an opportunity for non-native English language instructors who work in defence to improve their teaching and testing skills. It covers:

  • techniques for teaching reading, writing, listening and speaking
  • techniques for teaching vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation
  • ways of exploiting material
  • classroom management
  • ways of promoting student autonomy
  • principles of assessment
  • advanced grammar/vocabulary for teachers’ own level of English

A man dressed in Kuwait military uniform in front of a laptop while teaching Kuwait students.

Reflecting on the course, which was designed and delivered collaboratively by DCLC’s English language Burnham lecturers and a team of military personnel, Senior Burnham Lecturer Chris Catterall said:

“Our cohort of Kuwaiti officers successfully completed the Train the Trainer course, rapidly improving their skills in classroom management, lesson planning, and effective communication. The course's streamlined structure and hands-on approach enabled the trainees to quickly integrate new methodology, empowering them to deliver engaging and impactful lessons. Equipped with enhanced teaching skills, these officers are now ready to inspire students and foster a positive learning environment, all while drawing on the strong leadership qualities they bring from their military experience.”

Major Fasiel Iqbal, British Army Loan Service Advisor at the Kuwait Ministry of Defence’s Military Education Department (MilEd) said:

“Many Kuwaitis would love to attend UK courses as UK MOD training is held in high esteem. However, English language ability is often a hurdle in ensuring the correct student is selected for the course. MilEd is hoping to build on the already established relationship with the English Language Wing (within DCLC) by sending more students to learn in the immersive environment that the Defence Academy offers. Ultimately, this will increase attendance on UK courses across the MOD and build on the 125-year diplomatic relationship between the UK and Kuwait.”

The UK and Kuwait’s diplomatic relationship is one of notable distinction. The UK military played a key role in the liberation of Kuwait during the Gulf War in 1990-1991 with British forces also assembling in Kuwait ahead of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

DCLC is part of the Defence Academy’s International Group, who welcome over 2,000 overseas students each year, as well as being the main provider of UK defence engagement and language training.