On line Arabic language assessment

[soup82]

I'm trying to get an assessment of my Arabic language skills. Anyone know where there is an online test? I'm pretty much self taught, I can teach off road driving, GPS, map and compass, light weapons, ask and give directions. I can read the script, read building and street signs, sign my name, read peoples names, read an arabic GPS, but I cannot read the newspaper. I have a very good vocabulary, an extremely rudimentary grasp of grammar, very few tenses. In January I was working on the Omani/Saudi border and didn't speak english for 4 days. Basically, I can survive and carry on a conversation. I don't know where that sits in the 1-4 scale, but I was looking at a job that wanted 2+2+. Opinions, scathing commentary, language eval sites anyone.

Cheers,

Patrick LaRocque

[makane]

Try this site:
http://www.i-cias.com/babel/arabic/

[DIRSUP KORLING]

I have a 2+/2+ in Korean. What that entails is a bit beyond "survival" level language skills. You should have a good grasp of grammar. Some examples would be quoting people, changing the tenses of sentences, etc.; basically all the basic grammar patterns.

2+/2+ is right around the level where you should be able to learn things about the language using the language and should be able to understand stuff about basic politics, economics, weather, transportations issues (buses, taxis, subways), law, international relations and so on.

What you won't be expected to know is topic specific vocab like medical terminology, computer or engine parts, etc.

I assume the position you are looking at is federal/military related. If so, you can schedule a Defense Language Proficiency Test at any nearby military installation. If there is a Navy base nearby you need to get in contact with their Educational Services Officer. If you could get in touch with a military linguist that would be ideal since they could point you in the right direction.

Are you a US citizen?

mario

[Harry56]

Hey Dirsup,
On yong hashimnika. Is yaki niku camelia restaurant still around?
I was at shafter 89-93.
Been married to my chib saram for 25 years now.
Is that address for arabic good for korean too?

[TANGOisinKOREA]

Nope sorry I dont think that there is any korean skills assesment on that site. For all of your Hangul needs check out
http://www.interedu.go.kr/

Where in the ROK is Shafter? Lived there quite awhile and never heard of it. I sure could use a kettle right now!

Hwanyeoung hamnida

Chas

[This message has been edited by TANGOisinKOREA (edited 10-12-2001).]

[Harry56]

It's not, it's in Hawaii. I spent 12 years in the ROK though, PMJ, Ouelette, Warrior, Ui Jong BU, TDC, and finally had a Command Sponsored slot in Cp Mercer (now an ROK) site. It was right next to the ROK SF Trng Bde near Kimpo.
Wish I could find a civvi slot in Seoul, I'd pack up in 3 minutes.....
How long you been there?

[TANGOisinKOREA]

Cool beans (or should I say kimchi) Harry. Not there now havent been there since 98. Never had the pleasure of seeing Hawaii other than as a civie.

Chas


[This message has been edited by TANGOisinKOREA (edited 10-12-2001).]

[Harry56]

The last time my wife went back was 96. She said everything got real expensive, same thing happened to Japan after the 62 Olympics

I love the hell out of that country, I've had more fun and close calls over there than anywhere I've ever been. D.M.Z. duty is the greatest, you really get to put into action everything you train at.

I spent 4 years in Hawaii my nephew has lived in Maui for 16 years. He's the resident manager of a condo unit in Lahaina

[Dark Helmet]

Harry - what years at PMJ?

[soup82]

Makane,

Thanks. I'm a U.S. citizen living in Dubai, UAE. The Arabic I speak is Khaleeji (Gulf dialect). My skills are a mixture of what you've described. I worked at the UAE SF School for 3 years as an instructor, primarily in desert mobility. We had absolutely worthless Sudanese instructors and I was forced to learn enough Arabic to make sure they were giving out the right info. Once I reached a certain level of proficiency, I could operate without them. Thats where the technical knowledge comes from, such as vehicle ops, gps, map and compass, light weapons, pt, etc.

I found these two sites
http://www.arabic2000.com/school/
http://www.arabacademy.com/main/online/registrar_e.shtml

The arab academy has these online placement tests
http://www.arabacademy.com/placement_e.htm

I smoked the absolute beginners test, except for the vocabulary. It is a modern standard arabic test.

On the beginners low, I received about a 20% total score, however, I received a 70% on the conversational. Biggest thing that killed me was MSA vocab vs Gulf vocab. Grammar and verbs killed me. At least I've got a starting point.

Cheers,

Patrick LaRocque

[DIRSUP KORLING]

Originally posted by Harry56:
Hey Dirsup,
On yong hashimnika. Is yaki niku camelia restaurant still around?
I was at shafter 89-93.
Been married to my chib saram for 25 years now.
Is that address for arabic good for korean too?

On yong hasaeyo. If you are talking about the Korean buffet on Beretania it's still there. Good eats.

I have yet to be stationed in Korea. I've been TDY to South Korea so many times I've lost count now. Personally I prefer down south around Pusan to the Seoul area. People seem friendlier and Americans who speak Korean are a lot more rare down that way.

There was a big price jump sometime between 94 and 99. The first time I went to the ROK was in '94 when we stopped in Pusan on WESTPAC and everything was pretty cheap. Went back in '99 on TDY after going through Korean at DLI and a lot of the prices there were comparable to the US. You can still get good deals on stuff in the markets though if you haggle for awhile. Just keep away from the department stores (I can't resist flirting with the elevator girls though....)

I've also been TDY to North Korea for POW/MIA remains recovery operations with the US Army Central Identification Laboratory. That was pretty fucking bizarre.

mario

[Curtis Newkirk]

Korea kind of sucks right now. All GI types are restricted from bars. The bars are loseing a lot of money. The only good side is the Russian & P.I. girls are slimming down.
Oh well, the wife only lets me go out once or twice a month anyway.

------------------
Nuck
"Defensor Brewus"
Defender of the beer

[DIRSUP KORLING]

Originally posted by Curtis Newkirk:
Korea kind of sucks right now. All GI types are restricted from bars.


Where is the humanity???

What is Korea without the bars and the appropiate entertainments?

I feel for you and the other 37,000 military there.

mario

[TANGOisinKOREA]

I am sure it cant last that long. Half the GNP for the ROK comes from hooker hill. Back in 94 I remember they made itaewon off limits for the 2nd ID. Too many guys going down into the ville getting their ass whooped by us 8th Army Hooahs I guess. That was the best time for us less competition for those ugly signal and MP girls at Polys kettle house.

Chas
COR CP TANGO

[Harry56]

Hi Tack I was there in 74-75. I was in a 2.5ton running chow up to the generator shack in January 75 when we got stopped bywhat the driver thought was a so korean patrol approx. 75 yards no of ouellette. Turned out to be 6 NKPA representatives in ROK uniforms. That was the best ride I ever took in a duece and a half. Got transferred to Ui Jong Bu after a three day debrief. Originally posted by TackDaBoat:
Harry - what years at PMJ?

[Curtis Newkirk]

We are off the leash once agian. This has been one of those Puke weekends. It's been a long time.

------------------
Nuck
"Defensor Brewus"
Defender of the beer

[Harry56]

I would give my right whatever to get into North Korea. I want to see what those little fuckers have for living quarters in those honeycombed hills right in front of Ouelette and Collier. Originally posted by DIRSUP KORLING:
On yong hasaeyo. If you are talking about the Korean buffet on Beretania it's still there. Good eats.

I have yet to be stationed in Korea. I've been TDY to South Korea so many times I've lost count now. Personally I prefer down south around Pusan to the Seoul area. People seem friendlier and Americans who speak Korean are a lot more rare down that way.

There was a big price jump sometime between 94 and 99. The first time I went to the ROK was in '94 when we stopped in Pusan on WESTPAC and everything was pretty cheap. Went back in '99 on TDY after going through Korean at DLI and a lot of the prices there were comparable to the US. You can still get good deals on stuff in the markets though if you haggle for awhile. Just keep away from the department stores (I can't resist flirting with the elevator girls though....)

I've also been TDY to North Korea for POW/MIA remains recovery operations with the US Army Central Identification Laboratory. That was pretty fucking bizarre.

mario

[Harry56]

Hey newkirk, ever play darts at a small bar at the very top of hooker hill on the left as you get to the top in Iteawon. It used to be like a log cabin, embassey, sf, civvi hang out for years. I don't know if it's still there.
They had a great dartboard made by Jimmy Bridges from 44th Engr Bn made out of engr rope. Originally posted by Curtis Newkirk:
We are off the leash once agian. This has been one of those Puke weekends. It's been a long time.

[DIRSUP KORLING]

Originally posted by Harry56:
I would give my right whatever to get into North Korea. I want to see what those little fuckers have for living quarters in those honeycombed hills right in front of Ouelette and Collier.

You ain't missing too much. We were way north of Pyongyang, up in the Kaechon area and we came in via Beijing so I ain't got no info 'bout the DMZ area.

http://www.cilhi.army.mil/

mario

http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/art/pow-mia-07.jpg

[This message has been edited by DIRSUP KORLING (edited 10-23-2001).]

[Curtis Newkirk]

Never "played darts" on Hooker Hill. My darts are limited to the Osan area.

------------------
Nuck
"Defensor Brewus"
Defender of the beer

[Harry56]

You ought to look to see if the place is still there. Damn, that was a great board and great COLD beer in the summer after that long walk up the hill.