DLI Monterey

[Dima]

When one first arrives in Monterey, how do the various services choose which language each soldier studies. Any help is appreciated.

[Swat1]

You are assigned a language based on your Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) score and the language within your score range that the Army needs the most of.

[Dima]

Does is matter if you've already had another major language, or two? Thanks.

[Razor]

Swat1,

Isn't the test the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB)? DLPTs test proficiency in a particular language, while the DLAB uses made-up languages to test your ability to recognize and use language "rules" not common to english. We had to take the DLAB to get accepted into SFAS, but took the DLPT once we got into Group to assess our specific language skill.

[Swat1]

I stand corrected, you are right Razor, my apologies. Yes it is the DLAB not DLPT that will help the Army decide what language you take. Dima the DLAB is designed to test your aptitude to learn a language. It is the strangest test I have ever taken. I walked out of it thinking no way I passed that and come to find out I scored very high.

If you are already proficient in a target language you can take the DLPT right off to determine if you meet the Army's standard for proficiency. However, if it is not a needed language they won't care. I believe the hot languages are Mandarin Chinese, Arabic (all dialects), Korean and Russian is probably back up there with recent events. Of course the slavic languages with Kosovo and Bosnia but those type of languages become hot and cold depending on where there are major deployments.

[This message has been edited by Swat1 (edited 07-05-2000).]

[Dima]

I took the DLAB. What's a good score?

[PatK9681]

Am I correct in assuming that western european languages like french and german are not worth all that much now a days for MI?

[This message has been edited by PatK9681 (edited 07-05-2000).]

[Swat1]

Dima I don't remember my score let alone what a good score is...Sorry. Pat, you are correct for the time being those languages are not in high demand right now.

[Dima]

The recruiters said that anybody over 110 or so did pretty well. I'm just wondering if a student has any choice. Thanks.

[PY]

Dima,
I took DLAB in '97. Minimum score to qualify was 80. 100 or better qualified you for any language taught at DLI. 110 is good score, you'll probably be taking one of the more difficult languages like Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, etc.

[Dima]

What's the culture like there at Monterey? Is it considered a tough school?