General English curriculum, developed in-house, is the American Language Course (ALC) which has six (6) levels consisting of thirty-four (34) books, Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI) courseware, as well as audio and video activities.
When a student arrives they are assigned to an ALC level and book based on their entry English Comprehension Level (ECL) test score. Classes are limited to a maximum of ten (10) students to ensure they have ample opportunity to participate in classroom activities. Group learning is promoted, and individualized instruction is facilitated in our computer laboratories and learning center. Students can utilize the learning center after class to access IMI and other materials geared to assisting the student in their language training.
At the end of each book, usually studied for one week, students take a 50-item, multiple-choice quiz which requires a minimum score of 70. In addition, upon completion of ALC level 2 and 3, a performance test is administered to assess students’ mastery of specific language skill objectives which are not measurable through multiple-choice tests. Remediation on skills not mastered is then conducted on an individual basis. Advancement decisions are based on instructors’ input, and students’ performance on achievement tests and the ECL, which is administered monthly to assess overall proficiency growth.
Once students have achieved their required ECL score they are normally transferred to Specialized English where they are provided with the language and study skills necessary to succeed at FOT.
Because Specialized English serves as a bridge between our students and their military training, Curriculum flight works in consultation with our section to develop the materials we use to prepare our students for the various FOT sites that they will be attending. Additionally, the section utilizes a number of Subject Matter Experts to support classroom instruction and materials development to ensure that they are accurate and relevant.
The types of activities that students perform in class reflect what they will be required to do at FOT (e.g., working in small groups, giving briefings, following procedures, analyzing situations, communicating via radio, multi-tasking while using aviation language skills in the Sim-Lab). The majority of materials used in our classrooms is authentic and include readings taken directly from military journals, technical orders, and audio/video recordings from the US Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The main mission of the Advanced English Section is to provide training to international military and civilian personnel (instructors and non-instructors) to staff in-country English language training programs as English language instructors, program managers and curriculum/test developers.
The Advanced English Section offers three development tracks that focus on instructor training, language proficiency, and professional growth.
The Instructor Development Track, which consists of courses like Basic American Language Instructor Course (BALIC), Advanced English Language Instructor Course (AELIC), and Methodology and Culture Seminar (MACS), is designed to provide training and practice in English as a Second Language (ESL/EFL) methodology for novice as well as experienced instructors. Students attending these courses are provided advanced instruction in grammar and phonology while improving their individual language proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. At the same time, American culture familiarization and learning how to incorporate cultural knowledge into the teaching process are also emphasized.
The Language Development Track, made up of courses like Professional Military Education Preparation (PME Prep) and Advanced Language Proficiency Skills (ALPS I, II, and III), employs comprehensive and integrated curricula targeting students’ language proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Additionally, students develop their critical thinking skills and gain a deeper knowledge of American culture. Courses in this track are ideal for instructors, NATO and international posting candidates, translators, interpreters, and candidates for professional military post-graduate studies.
The Professional Development Track offers two courses, Materials Development Seminar (MDS) and Managing English Language Training (MELT). MDS is designed to familiarize English language specialists with different phases of the curriculum development process used at DLIELC. MELT students study the principles and practices involved in establishing and managing in-country language training programs. In addition to these two important courses, Advanced English offers Observer Professional training (1-2 weeks) intended to offer orientation in the development, coordination, management, and testing of English language training for international English Language Training Program (ELTP) managers, supervisors and key language training staff.
Advanced English Section entry and graduation requirements can be found in the Security Cooperation Organizations (SCO) Handbook on dlielc.edu’s home page.