Our Unit 871 Instructor, Cedric, discusses the importance of reflection and leveraging strengths for our program’s future success.
As a military language instructor at Unit 871 in Longbein, Hanoi, specializing in teaching Vietnamese senior officials the English language needed for their Follow-On-Training (FOT), I find myself at a critical juncture. With all U.S. foreign government projects temporarily suspended for auditing, our direct contact with students has been halted. While this might seem like a setback, it presents us with a unique opportunity—a chance to reflect, reassess, and fortify our program by focusing on our individual and collective strengths.
Over the past four years, our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to ensure that our students are well-equipped to engage with their FOT curriculum. This pause allows us to step back and evaluate what we’ve accomplished, and more importantly, where we can improve. For each of us, it’s a moment to revisit our personal strengths and consider how we can harness them more effectively—not just for our individual growth, but for the enhancement of the entire program.
Building New Initiatives
In my role, I have identified one of the most critical needs: improving our students’ listening skills. Many have struggled in this area, so I have developed a comprehensive listening course designed to address this gap. Alongside this, our team needs realignment to enhance morale and cohesion, which is why I have created a 20-week program focused on the improvement of team dynamics. This program places teaching at its core, reflecting my belief in education as a transformative tool.
To further support this initiative, I am developing a peer-led workshop that emphasizes openness and transparency. This workshop aims to assess our current standing as educators, highlighting how we can assist each other and optimize our teaching methods. By fostering an environment where we can learn from one another, we strengthen our team and improve our capacity to deliver outstanding results.
Recognizing that our success hinges on performance, I have emphasized the importance of refining our execution. We must dedicate time to developing our skills if we are to ensure that our program not only continues but excels with remarkable outcomes in the future.
Leveraging Strengths for Future Success
In conclusion, while the suspension of projects is a challenge, it is also a pivotal opportunity to reflect and improve. By focusing on our strengths and collaborating as a cohesive unit, we can enhance our teaching program and emerge stronger, more cohesive, and more prepared for the future requirements of the FOT. Through these efforts, we aim to guarantee the continuous success and impact of our training endeavors.