The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center 

DLI is the mostt incredible language teaching/learning model the world fo academia has ever seen. I made it through a Cat 5 language course that was 8 hours of instruction a day and 4 to 5 hours of homework a night. The best advice I can give to anyone considerring the linguistics option of the armed forces is be disciplined and know how to study. It is the real way to survive. Also dont be dismayed when you watch over half of your class rock out, it happens and is part of the DLI experience.

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 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.

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

I am a Marine - active. I just found out about this program because, I wanted to learn about language testing in military! I currently have been studying into Japanese, taken 3 college courses in it, and love learning bits of language daily. I'd do whatever to get in, and have at a language!

>I made it through a Cat 5 language course Yeah, it goes up to Cat 4.

I went to DLIWC in August 1969 before going to Nam. It was culture shock for Marines to be on a base with open gates and no liberty card needed. The course was 12 weeks to get the basics for Vietnamese. When I arrived in Nam I was put on a truck to my regimental headquarters. I saw my first oriental and attempted to impress him with what I learned. He understood nothing of what I tried to say. He was Korean not Vietnamese. . Recognition was not taught at DLIWC.

We didn't have all those fancy teaching aids back in Lackland (Russian DLI - 1985)!

My brother studied languages at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in California. The pace of study was intense. Students had to master the language course in 36-64 weeks. Psychologically it was very difficult, but fortunately he was helped by Yuriy Ivantsiv's book "Polyglot Notes. Practical tips for learning foreign languages”. The book " Polyglot Notes" became a desk book for my brother, because it has answers to all the problems that any student of a foreign language has to face. Thanks to the author of the channel for this interesting video! Good luck to everyone who studies a foreign language and wants to realize their full potential!

Yes - German basic course is still offered here at POM. Duration of the course is 35 weeks.

@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.

@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.

Thanks a million. That’s brilliant. I appreciate it. 🎉 cheers and best regards, Winai

@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!

Lived near there for about four years. Was always curious what they were doing at the Presidio.

Despite the fact that the United States is a multicultural country, Americans are not good at foreign languages in general. So I hope that the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) will contribute to the improvement of foreign language skills among not only U.S. servicemen but also American people.

I'd love to do something like this. Unfortunately, I'm not American. I'm not using that as an excuse so I've begun to teach myself German alongside working hard in a German evening class. I want to be at B2 standard in a year.

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

if you have the opportunity, go there, i was in DLI but in texas, it was a good experience.

@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.

🇺🇸 EXCELLENT!

@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.

"That's why it's so important that are students are being instructed by professionals with high credentials" - As she has the University of Phoenix degree behind her, lol.

@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.

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

@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.

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

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

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.

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.

@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.

Is German still offered at DLI, or a DLI satellite school?

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

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

You can find all our current courses and durations here: dliflc(.)edu(/)languagesatdli(.)html

What's your DLPT score? Pretty high? Then expect korean, chinese or arabic. Cat IV languages are the toughest and definitely the most needed.

How do I enter?

@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

@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.

@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.

study study study

@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.

ah man.. shoot me. I'm def not going 35p

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

I am using the Pimsleur method to learn Japanese. I also bought Japanese books, a language translator and a digital voice recorder. I want to speak Japanese fluently.

Picture move too fast. Need hair cut.

Not the best arabic.