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Department of State: Foreign Language Proficiency Has Improved, but Efforts to Reduce Gaps Need Evaluation

GAO-17-318 Published: Mar 22, 2017. Publicly Released: Mar 22, 2017.
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Fast Facts

Foreign language proficiency is a key skill for U.S. diplomats. For example, it helps the State Department effectively process visa applications and address security concerns. Yet, we've found that State has persistent shortfalls in this area—23% of its overseas positions that required foreign language proficiency were filled by staff that didn't meet the requirements (as of September 2016).

State developed a strategic plan to address this issue, and it has implemented a number of actions in its plan. However, it hasn't evaluated if these efforts are effective at improving its foreign language capabilities. We recommended they do so.

 

Numbers of Language-Designated Positions Filled by Officers Who Met Proficiency Requirements, Filled by Officers Who Did Not Meet the Requirements, and Vacant as of September 2016, by Geographic Bureau

Bar chart showing there are positions filled by people who didn't meet foreign language requirements in all 6 geographic bureaus

Bar chart showing there are positions filled by people who didn't meet foreign language requirements in all 6 geographic bureaus

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Highlights

What GAO Found

As of September 2016, 23 percent of overseas language-designated positions (LDP) were filled by Foreign Service officers (FSO) who did not meet the positions' language proficiency requirements. While this represents an 8-percentage-point improvement from 2008, the Department of State (State) still faces significant language proficiency gaps (see fig.). Regionally, the greatest gaps were in the Near East (37 percent), Africa (34 percent), and South and Central Asia (31 percent). According to FSOs we interviewed, language proficiency gaps have, in some cases, affected State's ability to properly adjudicate visa applications; effectively communicate with foreign audiences, address security concerns, and perform other critical diplomatic duties.

Percentages of Overseas Language-Designated Positions Filled by Officers Who Did Not Meet Proficiency Requirements as of September 2016, by Region

Percentages of Overseas Language-Designated Positions Filled by Officers Who Did Not Meet Proficiency Requirements as of September 2016, by Region

State reviews overseas posts' language needs every 3 years, but the extent to which the reviews' outcomes address these needs is unclear. State's policies indicate that operational need should determine the designation of positions as LDPs and required proficiency levels. However, views expressed by geographic bureau officials and FSOs whom GAO met at overseas posts suggest that other factors, such as staffing and cost concerns, influence State's decisions about LDP designations and proficiency requirements. State Human Resources officials noted that State is taking steps to better align its LDP policies with its operational needs.

State has implemented most actions described in its 2011 “Strategic Plan for Foreign Language Capabilities” but has not evaluated the effects of these actions on language proficiency at overseas posts. According to State’s evaluation policy, the department is committed to using performance management, including evaluation, to achieve the most effective foreign policy outcomes and greater accountability. Actions State has implemented under the plan include reviewing the language requirements of overseas posts every 3 years; offering recruitment incentives for personnel with proficiency in critically important languages; providing language incentive pay only for languages that reflect the department’s highest strategic priorities; and using technology to strengthen and develop new approaches for language training and to complement FSOs’ language skills. However, more than 5 years after it began implementing its strategic plan, State has not systematically evaluated the results of these efforts. As a result, State cannot determine the extent to which these efforts contribute to progress in increasing language proficiency worldwide and reducing proficiency gaps.

Why GAO Did This Study

Proficiency in foreign languages is a key skill for U.S. diplomats to advance U.S. interests overseas. GAO has issued several reports highlighting State's persistent foreign language shortfalls. In 2009, GAO recommended that State, to address these shortfalls, develop a strategic plan linking all of its efforts to meet its foreign language requirements. In response, in 2011 State issued its “Strategic Plan for Foreign Language Capabilities.”

GAO was asked to build on its previous reviews of State's foreign language capabilities. In this report, GAO examines (1) the extent to which State is meeting its foreign language proficiency requirements for overseas posts as well as the effects of language proficiency and any gaps in State's ability to perform diplomatic duties, (2) State's process for identifying overseas posts' language proficiency needs and the extent to which the process addresses these reported needs, and (3) efforts State has taken to enhance foreign language proficiency and any effects of those efforts. GAO analyzed data on State's overseas language-designated positions; reviewed State strategic planning and policy documents; interviewed State officials; and visited overseas posts in China, Egypt, Korea, Mexico, and Russia.

Recommendations

GAO recommends that the Secretary of State evaluate the effectiveness of efforts implemented under the “Strategic Plan for Foreign Language Capabilities.” State agreed with our recommendation.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of State To strengthen State's ability to address persistent gaps in foreign language proficiency at overseas posts and make informed future resource investments, the Secretary of State should evaluate the effectiveness of efforts implemented under the "Strategic Plan for Foreign-Language Capabilities."
Closed – Implemented
In March 2017, GAO reported that State had implemented most actions described in its 2011 "Strategic Plan for Foreign Language Capabilities" but had not evaluated the effects of these actions on language proficiency at overseas posts. Actions State had implemented under the plan include reviewing the language requirements of overseas posts every 3 years; offering recruitment incentives for personnel with proficiency in critically important languages; providing language incentive pay only for languages that reflect the department's highest strategic priorities; and using technology to strengthen and develop new approaches for language training and to complement FSOs' language skills. However, more than 5 years after it began implementing its strategic plan, State had not systematically evaluated the results of these efforts. As a result, State could not determine the extent to which these efforts contribute to progress in increasing language proficiency worldwide and reducing proficiency gaps. GAO recommended that the Secretary of State evaluate the effectiveness of efforts implemented under the "Strategic Plan for Foreign-Language Capabilities." In response to this recommendation, State conducted an evaluation of its Strategic Plan. In December of 2018, State published the results of its review in a document entitled "Evaluation of Foreign Language Capabilities at the US Department of State". The evaluation examined fill rates of Language Designated Position (LDP); progress towards the six goals outlined in the 2011 Strategic Plan; limitations due to resource shortages, and future efforts to meet language expertise. The evaluation found, among other things, that to some extent the goals in the 2011 Strategic Plan have been achieved, but there's been limited progress in increasing the LDP fill rate. The evaluation concludes that holistic approach may strengthen the alignment of policies and programs and ensure mechanisms for accountability. According to the report, the findings will inform the development of a new Strategic Plan for language capabilities, outlining Department-wide programs and policy goals to strengthen LDP fill rate.

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AccountabilityForeign languagesHuman capital managementInternal controlsInternational affairsPerformance measuresPublic officialsRequirements definitionStrategic planningStrategic plan