The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

[Narodnik47]

I got 130 on the DLAB -- I'm going to DLI!!

[samuraialfredo]

I know DLI isn't for civilians, but can civilians purchase their language learning resources?

[alynmagus]

I went to DLI to learn Chinese in '98-'99. Sure, there were restrictions, but you had to keep in mind that the school didn't last forever. We started with a class of 30 and finished with 22 or 23. People popped on drug tests, got caught sleeping with superiors and generally making asses of themselves. DLI is its own beast and the most challenging language school in the world. If you can't handle it, you will be pulled from class. Go Navy!

[HaitianFighter]

I recently scored a 147 on the DLAB and people keep telling me it's some kind of record. I actually don't know anyone else who has taken the test so no one to compare with. Any input? anyone scored 145+ or know someone who did? OH and I'm a Marine. Been in the corps for more than 3 years already.

[Todosaiji]

@HaitianFighter The general thoughts on DLAB scores in DLI are that they're just numbers that may or may not allow you to enter. How you do with the actual language depends solely on you and the effort you put into it. If you simply can't do it, fine. You get an LOA (Lack of Ability) and move on (to put it mildly). But usually if you just put in the effort and apply yourself, it doesn't matter what score you got. And ironically, they say the ones with the lower scores tend to do better.

[Sorchestra]

@HaitianFighter It's definitely a very high score. The highest I've seen is 153, but I've heard of higher. I only scored a 122, which is a high score, but doesn't sound as high when compared to these other scores.

[Spankydaham924]

I got a 104 on my dlab and the requirment is at least 105. Will I get the waiver? I also got a 95 on my ASVAB.

[ergopropterhoc]

@Spankydaham924 you don't want to come here, kid. don't do it.

[Spankydaham924]

@ergopropterhoc Why is that? I'm ready and willing and I can't see myself doing anything else. Whats the problem?

[ergopropterhoc]

@Spankydaham924 you say that now, but consider this - i dont know how it is for the army, but the air force doesn't have a tech school anywhere near as long as training for a ground arabic linguist. i'm here for 18 months, then 5 more months of follow-on. 23 months of training, throw in 8 weeks of bmt and i've been in the air force for over 2 years and i'm still not allowed to keep a fifth in my room in spite of being a grown ass man. they're taking away coed visitation soon. place is bogus.

[sgoodyear2003]

@ergopropterhoc DLI is now FUBAR.In 1984, the Army barracks (ocean view) was co-ed--girls in their own room, of course. The place was nice--painted, carpet throughout, nice furniture, the hallway was wide open, a friend of mine painted a mural--now gone. Several friends had TVs, stereos, etc. There were almost no restrictions. Come and go as you please (even for newbies)--just get to class, just learn the language. No drill sergeants. Officers, enlisted in same class. All equal. I could go on.

[Todosaiji]

@sgoodyear2003 There still aren't any drill sergeants at DLI. And I honestly don't see why so many people find so much to complain about. It's in a beautiful location, and all you have to do is apply yourself to learn the language (assuming you don't get a Lack of Ability). After that, it's a freakin' great place to be.

[ergopropterhoc]

@Spankydaham924 the main point i'm trying to make is that, if you want to spend 2 years being treated like a child, be my guest. but this place is depressing. it's sunny about one day out of every ten.

[sgoodyear2003]

@ergopropterhoc In 1985, I earned a certificate in Arabic (with Egyptian dialect) from DLI in Monterey. I was in the Army. A few years ago, I came back for a visit. I was horrified at the now prison like atmosphere and overly militarized changes, all of which are highly detrimental to learning a language. The one proud collegiate environment has been destroyed and what remains is almost totally FUBAR. It is depressing for me to think about and relay to you.

[IronJennyKid]

I'm a junior at a middle college high school, and I'm looking in to how I can become a naval cryptologist. I really really want to join this school. Any pointers and info is greatly appreciated

[CKYDrummer25]

@IronJennyKid well, I dont know any navy guys here too well, so i cant say on that end, but my Wife is a Marine here, and I'll be here soon with the army and its a pretty rough school. depending on what language you are told to learn (not chosen, although you get a "wish list"), you have a certain amount of time in class that you will need to learn the language. Chinese is about 18 months long. Spanish is 6 months. and the rest are anywhere between there. Go talk to a recruiter about it.

[TheSRising]

I speak, read and write fluently Vietnamese, but I dont think I can make a good career out of it, what are some languages that are most needed now for the Air Force?

[discjockeyfuture]

I heard they do a great job of training the military personnel in their assigned language. Granted, the only downside is that you learn what the military wants you too learn, not necessarily what you are interested in. Also, if memory serves me right, languages are divided into three categories based on difficulty. French is Level I, Russian is Level II, and Mandarin Chinese is Level III. So, part of the placement is on demand and also on an entrance exam.

[ergopropterhoc]

@discjockeyfuture french and latin languages are cat1, german and some other european languages are cat2, russian, urdu, farsi etc are cat3, and arabic, mandarin and korean are cat4...

everyone gets arabic.

everyone.

so, if you want to learn arabic, go talk to your local armed forces recruiter and tell them you're interested in taking the DLAB and becoming a linguist. it doesn't matter what you score, if you break 100 you get arabic. see you in a few months!

[discjockeyfuture]

@ergopropterhoc Did my time in the US Navy. Not going back into the military.

[Spankydaham924]

@ergopropterhoc I got a 104 on my dlab and the requirment is at least 105. Will I get the waiver? I also got a 95 on my ASVAB. I really hope they take me. Cuz I cant see myself with any other MOS

[Firstworldleader]

If all goes well, I'll be here in 6-7 months. My flight of BMT ends in mid-February. Wish me luck!

[rlulich]

@Firstworldleader Good luck! I recently went through DLI myself - be preapared for a lot of work and a lot of frustration (in and out of the classroom - pipeline training status is not fun), and you'll come out fine. DO NOT slack off, even if you get a language you don't like, or one you're naturally good at. And just a head's up: the DLPT V sucks. :) (But you'll love the FLPB!)

[TheDLIFLC]

You can also contact us on FB as Defense-Language-Institute-For­eign-Language-Center!

[drummer7122]

@mollykjody You have to be in the military and pass their DLAB test to get into this school.

[mollykjody]

I want to attend this school for their specialized language training but I am not affiliated with any government nor have any or to be have military background, how can I get in? I want in! I personally want to study all, either, or a combinations in Russian, Turkish, Japanese, Portuguese, & Korean. I do have serious plans to either pursue a career in foreign service, public service & language. I am not sure where to begin. I was wondering if this channel person may direct me to further services

[TheYankeeSamurai]

If you can get a generous scholarship or afford to study your target language abroad at a recognized language school/university, I would advise you to do so.

Depending upon the program, the level of training that you will get is definitely substantial, but after graduating, there will be little, if any opportunities to further bolster your language skills. In short, you might come to find yourself disheartened by the fact that your skills will be little appreciated or utilized.

[TheYankeeSamurai]

That is one of the chief reasons why the linguist/intel field has a very high turn-over rate. Remember also, most intel/linguist contracts come with a 6 year enlistment obligation. That being said, compared to college programs, it is, without question, superior in quality for most languages. And, if you are desirous of acquiring a basic, solid proficiency in languages like Arabic, Pasto, or Urdu, it may be the only place you can within the U.S.A.

 - '06 DLI Graduate

[GT0305]

@mollykjody you gotta be part of the military i know very few people right now here at the dli that are civilian sponsored students but mostly this are FAO spouses which are officer spouses going with their spouses to that specific country in which the language their learning is spoken, if u would really want to study here in DLI join the military take the dlab which is a very difficult test and if passed ur pretty guaranteed a linguist spot in the military. but this school system of learning

[GT0305]

@mollykjody is very intense, ive heard of some people who will go AWAL and not return to class because of how intense it is, so be sure ur serious and committed about ur language

[sgoodyear2003]

@GT0305 In 1984/85, for Army, there were NO drill sergeants, NO casual duty, NO head start, NO fence, NO security, NO team leaders, NO battalion b.s., NO volunteer work, some PT, a few formations, ABSOLUTELY NO B.S., EVERYONE, from arrival, was treated with respect, no one ever went AWOL! I saw only one dropout..You were simply expected to behave as a professional soldier and were told: "GO TO CLASS, DO THE HOMEWORK, STAY OUT OF TROUBLE, GRADUATE." You were responsible for yourself.

[GT0305]

@sgoodyear2003 ? dunno why that was aimed towards me but ok, seems stuff has changed drastically over the years over here ... while i was there there were at least three cases of AWOL, between all the military services there

[sgoodyear2003]

@GT0305 No, nothing personal. I read the comments here and considering the abomination I observed at DLI a few years ago upon returning after 20 years, I lament what the military has done. DLI turned out linguists just fine for over 40 years without the B.S. now employed. It is very hard to learn to learn a language like Arabic. But, inexplicably, the Army now dramatically compounds the stress. I suspect this is the very reason for the AWOLs and increased dropout rate. Such a needless waste.

[TheDLIFLC]

@mollykjody - you need to be a member of the armed forces, or other branches of the federal government, or part of the law enforcement in order to be sent to study at DLIFLC.

[mollykjody]

@TheDLIFLC Hello, thank you so much for responding to my inquiry. I am currently a full-time student studying Neuroscience, but I wish to pursue language as a contrast. I think eventually I will apply for medical school. I have a 4.0 GPA right now, both science GPA and overall. However, if that fails, I think having a extra language background will be essential.

[Snovishvishbvat]

@mollykjody

You need to be in the military to get in first of all. You'll also have to score high enough on the DLAB, and even then it isn't guaranteed that you'll pass this course. There are people with college degrees who have been brought to their knees and curbstomped mercilessly by this course, despite hours of studying. Then you have people who can blow through it like nothing. GPA elsewhere won't help you here.

[mollykjody]

@Snovishvishbvat fine

[mollykjody]

@TheDLIFLC As for a backup plan, I intend to be a "Communication Sciences & Disorder Specialist". I mean people who need to regain language do not just want to regain English, but other languages such as those I mentioned in the earlier posting. I know people whom to [BE] coming back from Afghanistan & Iraq can definitely use my services. When I am advanced in my career, please HIT ME UP. I will be here!

[Todosaiji]

@mollykjody I'd recommend you go Air Force and ask for Cryptologic Linguist. And press it, too. If you want that job, don't let the recruiter distract you.