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"The most important laboratory for the teacher and the student of a modern foreign language is a country in which the language is spoken. There he can immerse himself totally in the language and culture, achieving a knowledge and a mastery that can be both a personal delight and a professional advantage." Mid 1960's Peace Corps Language Brochure
Don't know if the PC still does it this way, but the Peace Corps Language Program used to be part of their "Pre-Service Training." They would send volunteers to the country they were going to serve in, and move them in with a family. While living with the family, Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators, would teach them language and culture. The families are compensated, not necessarily with money, but continued participation in the program, or good deal, is dependent on the students the families host passing the language test. This was motivation to speak the native language and "force" the volunteer to learn and not try and improve their own mastery of English. Typically, volunteers would live with the family 2 to 3 months, then test and swear in. This of course was followed up by living and working in the environment for the next 20 +/- months.
The Peace Corps Volunteers at the swearing in I attended in Tanzania had some impressive language skills, and we're talking Swahili, not French.
Of course unless we are going to go back towards a more "real" regional alignment and active engagement plan in each AOR for each Group, investing in the start up capability is a waste of time and money.
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"Excellence is its own punishment..."
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