CIOR Language Academy offering courses for Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers
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The CIOR Language Academy (CLA) teaches English and French as a second language, emphasizing a NATO military lexicon while at the same time providing an orientation to CIOR.
Multinational attendees coming together for a group photo reminding them of their particpation at the CIOR Language Academy and potentially forming bonds for future assignments
The instructors, qualified reserve officers as well as skilled linguists and teachers, are provided by CIOR member nations and are selected through a competitive process.
The students are reserve officers and active-duty officers from NATO, or from PfP (Partnership for Peace) countries, or MD (Mediterranean Dialogue) countries. Through the Language Academy, they are provided an essential and indispensable tool to carry out international NATO business – the ability to communicate in one of NATO’s two official languages.
The summer academy runs annually for two weeks in a different host nation. Previous hosts have included Estonia, Poland, Spain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Moldova, Turkey, The Republic of North Macedonia, and Greece. Students on both the English course (EFL) and French course (FFL) have the opportunity to sit the STANAG language examination run by Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) at level 2 and 3. This language qualification is required for careers and deployments within NATO and is much sought after.
Established in 2000, the CLA was a CIOR initiative in support of the Partnership for Peace program and to date has taught hundreds of officers from across 27 nations. In 2008 the first examinations were introduced to the FFL course, with EFL examinations following in 2010. In 2017 the CLA was re-developed to address the needs of the modern-day military. Links have become established with the NRFC and SHAPE in Brussels as well as WestPoint USA and the Paris Staff Officer College. In 2018 a record number of 130 students applied for the 100 spaces. In 2019 the academy developed a new social program and set out new criteria to encourage diversity in the student population. Since 2018, some students on the FFL course have been accepted on the Staff Officer Course in Paris.
The CIOR Language Academy is open to Reserve Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers below 60 years of age, or with residual service remaining. Active Duty as well as Regular Officers and Senior NCOs are also welcome as a second priority.
Civilians with military affiliations may also apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The course is not suitable for beginners. All applicants should consider attendance at the academy as a progression tool in their military career.
For information regarding the CLA, please contact the CIOR Language Academy Committee, responsible for the planning and execution of the CLA on cla@cior.net