Abstract:

The world-wide globalization, internationalization, competitiveness in international environment and interoperability in the defence department are terms due to this the ability to communicate in foreign languages is a key competence. It is a necessary part of human capital which enables individuals and organizations to mutualy and effectively communicate and exchange pieces of information in international or multicultural environment. The primary foreign language, in civil and military sector, is currently English which is globally the most used and the most frequent studied language in the world. It is also very popular due to modern information and communication technologies. The main focus will be put on it in the following text.

There is an increase of requirements on language knowledge of professional soldiers in proportion to the commitment following the membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization within the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. The armies of different countries cooperate not only in abroad operations but they also attend common trainings, they use the same documentation etc. Considering this situation, the emphasis on language training and preparedness of all professional soldiers increases.

Following article deals with possibilities of language training of future officers at the University of Defence, the only military university in the Czech Republic, which is compared with language training at French military academies Écoles de Saint-Syr Coëtquidan and École de l´Air and also the only Belgian military university Royal Military Academy. Concurrently, there was a research of language preparedness and its meaning for officers of particular armies at chosen military universities, which results, together with inspiring suggestions, will be mentioned in the last part of the article.

Keywords:

Language training, officer, future officers, language preparedness, the Ministry of Defence department.