RELATED March 10, 2026 Partnership for Public Service's public comments on OPM's "Reduction in Force Appeals" proposed rule March 06, 2026 Partnership for Public Service’s public comments on OPM’s “Suitability Action Appeals” proposed rule February 13, 2026 Partnership for Public Service’s public comments on OPM’s “Ensuring Consistent and Rigorous Standards for Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Programs” proposed rule Back to Reports Foreign Languages: Human Capital Approach Needed to Correct Staffing and Proficiency Shortfalls January 9, 2002 This report reviews the use of foreign language skills at the U.S. Army, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Specifically, GAO examined the nature and impact of reported foreign language shortages, determined the strategies that federal agencies use to address these specific shortages, and assessed the efforts of agencies to implement an overall strategic workforce plan to address current and projected shortages. Download (1m)