Operation Speak Easy
Lowering language barriers for US Troops in Afghanistan
If you’ve ever been a "foreigner” in a non-English speaking country, you understand the value of communicating in the native tongue. As our troops continue to bravely serve overseas, they require the tools to break down language barriers.
Operation Speak Easy launched in order to gives the troops the resources to "lower the language barrier" that currently exists in Afghanistan.
The USO, in partnership with The Boston Foundation, Playaway® and Pimsleur® Language Programs, developed audio-based language training courses in Pashto and Dari, the key languages spoken in Afghanistan.
Operation Speak Easy features free downloads of the Pimsleur Pashto and Pimsleur Dari courses via the USO website and includes the distribution of over 4,000 Playaway audio players in each language to U.S. Troops, both those about to be deployed and those already on the ground in Afghanistan. Playaway audio players are preloaded and completely portable.
Upon completion, each service member will have attained intermediate proficiency in speaking, understanding and in reading furthering day-to-day communications with the Afghani population and promoting understanding, compassion and good will.