Online language training and cross cultural compentency

In accordance with DoDD 5160.41E, Defense Language Program, it is DoD policy that foreign language and regional expertise be considered critical competencies essential to the DoD mission and shall be managed to maximize the accession, development, maintenance, enhancement, and employment of these critical skills appropriate to the Department of Defense's mission needs.  Additionally, the study, maintenance, and employment of skills in critical foreign languages by DoD personnel shall be encouraged with provision for special pay and time for self-managed and classroom maintenance and enhancement of foreign language skills in continuing education programs, when authorized by law.  DoDI 5160.41E requires DSCA to understand the organization's language [regional and cultural] needs and establish appropriate levels of language [regional and cultural] expertise.  To these ends, DSCA will procure a limited number of web-based online foreign language proficiency training licenses for self-paced use by all current DSCA employees (population: up to 850 personnel).  The desired end state is a workplace environment that encourages initial and sustainment foreign language proficiency, regional orientation, and cross-cultural competency by providing employees with a 24/7 web-based training capability.

  The objective of this effort is to keep Agency employee foreign language proficiency, regional expertise, and cross-cultural competency in alignment with the Defense Language Program, provide the agency with a vehicle to train employees who are predominantly native speakers of English and designated for deployment, and provide the Agency with sufficient data from which to base a decision on how to scope future foreign language, regional, and cultural proficiency training opportunities.