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Old 04-06-2005, 08:59   #39
soulsedition
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: west virginia
Posts: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
Just my opinion, but an immersion program is useless without an understanding of grammar and the basics of the language. I would do an immersion program after language school and one year of working in the AOR. It will provide a big leap in skills, after the basics are mastered.

Sink or swim doesn't work with languages, both sides learn to compensate to much just to get past the frustration.
I don't know, there is a school in middlebury, Vt. Great language school but the name escapes me right now. I believe this is where the bulk of the CIA,FBI, and DIA students go for language training. I was looking into it, to prep for SF. As far as Basic understanding of grammar being greater than Immersion I'd have to disagree to an extent. I Set foot in Iraq with no prior knowledge of the Arabic language, and after 4 months was the unofficial 'tank platoon translator' Now i did learn many, many bad habits, and mostly slang. But i still believe in a 'throw them in and they'll learn to swim' principle. Unless of course someone's life is on the line, or when prior planning is an option..
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