THE ROLE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN THE SUCCESS OF GLOBAL MILITARY OPERATIONS AND ENGLISH AS A GLOBAL LINGUA FRANCA

Year 2012, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 279 - 286, 01.06.2012

Mustafa Er

Abstract

This article explores the role of Foreign Language Education (FLE) in particular English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in educating global warriors and global military education. Parallel to the rise of English language as an essential tool determining the success in the field of the global trade, by the foundation of NATO and emergence of English speaking super powers, English language has also become a major factor affecting the success of military operations all over the globe. The fact that multinational command structures are deadly in need of robust civil-military relations and interagency, intergovernmental organization, and nongovernmental organization coordination has led to the rise of English as a Global Lingua Franca. Similarly, mastering English language is a sine qua non for the global citizens of the new era since they are supposed to operate as part of joint organizational structures coordinating air, land, maritime, space, and special operations. So, EFL education has become a core element in military academies and war colleges all over the globe. This paper will also handle the cultural aspects of language teaching to the global citizens in uniforms and offer some implications for language teachers

Keywords

English, military, education, globalization, curriculum

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