A military language exchange programme between the Defence Academy and Escuela De Guerra Y Liderazgo (School of War and Leadership), in Zaragoza, Spain, has been credited as “enriching and fulfilling”.
For two weeks, the Defence Centre for Languages and Culture (DCLC) hosted Spanish language instructor Colonel Alberto Marquinez, while British counterpart, Captain Kaz Murray provided English language expertise in Spain.
During his time at the Defence Academy, Colonel Marquinez, Head of the English Department in Zaragoza, enhanced his lesson plans on ‘Health’ and ‘Law and Order’ with authentic cultural insights.
Beyond the classroom, he furthered learning by immersing students in Spanish culture and everyday language through informal, engaging interactions.
Reflecting on his time with DCLC, he said:
“It has been a very gratifying experience for me, having the chance and privilege of being part of the Spanish Language Course held at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham. The enthusiasm of the students and the interaction with them for two weeks has been a very enriching and fulfilling experience. Hoping and willing to maintain this collaboration between our language department and the Defence Academy in the future.”
Capt Murray’s two-week deployment saw her conduct one-to-one English language interviews with members of the Spanish Armed Forces working towards NATO language standard, SLP 3 proficiency.
Each session was tailored to assess and support individual language development, with her role as a native English speaker adding significant value to the process and in some cases, their only opportunity to interact with a native speaker.
Speaking about her experience, Capt Murray said:
“This deployment was a rewarding opportunity to support our Spanish counterparts and contribute to their language development. It also reinforced the value of mutual exchange and collaboration in strengthening international defence ties.”
The annual ‘Military Language Instructors Exchange’ between the two nations can trace its origins back to the Defence School of Languages (now DCLC) in Beaconsfield, prior to moving to Shrivenham.
The exchange offers students a unique and enhanced perspective on language learning within a military context. Key benefits include:
- gaining insight on how partner armed forces operate
- developing military-specific vocabulary and terminology for deployments
- adapting to and understanding a range of regional accents
- fostering professional networks and sustaining bilateral military relationships
- enhancing cultural awareness and mutual understanding
- promoting future interoperability between allied forces
DCLC consists of the Foreign Language Wing and the English Language Wing, that deliver language training by Burnham lecturers, to defence personnel in accordance with NATO standards.