KFOR Soldiers meet for English language studies with Kosovo Security Forces

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anna Pongo | Kosovo Force - Regional Command-East (KFOR RC-E) Soldiers from Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, practice conversational English with a class of Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) English language students at the Foreign Language Center at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) base in Ferizaj/Uroševac, Kosovo, Feb. 15, 2023.  

FERIZAJ, KOSOVO

02.15.2023

Story by Staff Sgt. Anna Pongo 

KFOR Regional Command East

Kosovo Force - Regional Command-East (KFOR RC-E) Soldiers from Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, met with a class of Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) English language students at the Foreign Language Center at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) base in Ferizaj/Uroševac, Kosovo, Feb. 15, 2023.


This visit was to facilitate conversations between the KSF and KFOR Soldiers so the English language students could practice conversational English with native speakers.


Sgt. Blerim Sherifi, English language instructor for the class, has been working with KFOR to establish this relationship for the program since 2015.

“I know how important this partnership is for those whose second language is English and they are not surrounded with English all the time,” said Sherifi. “Especially those who don’t usually get the opportunity to engage with native speakers. I am thankful to our TRADOC commander Brig. Gen. Dreshaj for providing his support in keeping this strong bond and relationship with RC-East.”

“I have been working with KFOR for a long time to establish this program,” continued Sherifi. “In the very beginning it was not easy to start. We worked to create a rewarding experience for both sides by having American Soldiers every week in our facility.”

One of the KSF students, E-3 Vebi Zeqiri, expressed how the conversations are helping with his career.

“Sharing experiences, knowledge and communication, especially in our case, where we need to learn the army-phrases,” said Zeqiri. “Talking with each other is a great start. (This partnership) helps a lot in learning the English language, because learning English is not only learning the language itself but it’s also about the culture and communication phrases.”


KFOR RC-East comprises ten contributing NATO partner nations. Its mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, as mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999.

• Date Taken: 02.15.2023
• Date Posted: 05.19.2023 03:09
• Story ID: 444997
• Location: FERIZAJ, ZZ