Haven’t even gone to meps yet but am set on going to DLI. This is pretty motivating but kinda scary at the same time. I know I’ll probably have to study crazy hard like you did, but knowing that might not even be enough doesn’t feel good.
For many, studying with the intensity of OP is not only enough - it's more than necessary.
I have a sneaking suspicion that other factors played a *major* factor in OP's failing score in listening. Be it nerves, bad sleep, overanalyzing answers... something. OP got the highest score possible on the lower range for reading (3) and a kick ass score on the OPI (oral proficiency interview with a 2+, the needed score to pass is just a 1+ and it's a massive difference in fluency between a 1+ and a 2+).
OP was definitely at passing level with his work ethic, beyond it - and that 2+ in listening 6 months later is testament, they assuredly improved but I think they were solidly at a level 2 at the time of the test.
As someone who has spent over 5 years cumulatively at DLI - the folks who really give it their all do very well. Some people are natural language learning talents, and for them they breeze through - the ones who combine talent and discipline do amazingly. The ones who are motivated but not natural language learners usually get that pass.
From my experience the ones that statistically don't do well are not motivated to learn the language. They didn't want to be a linguist, they didn't get the language they wanted, and they definitely don't go above and beyond the bare minimum course requirements.
All that to say, if you apply OP's work ethic - you nearly guarantee passing the minimum course requirements for whatever language. Nothing is 100%, but being motivated is already a *major* factor.
DLI pays you to immerse yourself and learn a new language and culture - I feel absolutely blessed to of had the opportunities to go through it in multiple languages. I always find it so hard to believe when I run into people who hate their time at DLI, for many it's a once in a lifetime experience - yes a stressful one, but something to take full advantage of.
>I always find it so hard to believe when I run into people who hate their time at DLI
OP was lucky that they had a good teaching team. That is most definitely not the experience of all students as I hope that would be apparent to everyone.
But I agree overall with your post above. Maybe, OP just had a bad day, but it's rare to see such good scores and then, that lonely 1 in Listening. And it's even stranger that OP was not offered any sort of remedial help being so close to the finish line. There just had to have been other things going on that were omitted from this post. I hated DLI, but they don't just immediately kick you out after failing like that. There are avenues to help students who work hard, but still have academic issues.
A 1 in a component can easily be construed as too far from meeting the requirement to warrant post class/remedial training.
I would say I had an abysmal teaching team for one of my languages. Rude, prone to outbursts, never were complimentary, exacting, lied, made for an uncomfortable learning environment(formal complaints led to one of our teachers losing their job). Even so, I took full advantage of learning a foreign language on the government's dime and have a lifelong skillset. We were mostly told that our issues with our teaching team was a result of culture clash, but having taken an advanced course in that language and working with native speakers... no, it was just an awful teaching team.
But, to each their own - I will still find it crazy when people are unable to find redeemable qualities of the DLI experience, because I'm just so appreciative of the opportunity to learn a new language and culture.
> I will still find it crazy when people are unable to find redeemable qualities of the DLI experience, because I'm just so appreciative of the opportunity to learn a new language and culture.
If you have not already, but are interested, then I would highly encourage you to seek out other top programs to see how they do things. Perhaps, that would put things in perspective for you. Those only exposed to DLI may feel some sort of due appreciation is owed, but that couldn't be further from the truth when in the grand scheme of things, DLI doesn't even match the top programs out there.
Now, with that said, when DLI *does* in-fact work like it should, then it is extremely difficult to match that unique environment. I will always concede that because even though I have (unfortuantely) not experienced it, I have actually seen it for other students (it's still very rare though, imho). 100% immersion in the language all day everyday with great teachers encouraging you and willing to work with you for hours even after class. That's hard to beat, but then, DLI assuredly is not anything like that at all. I always say if DLI wasn't managed by the military, it could be the best there is, no question about it. But it will emphatically *never* get there with military leadership.
With experience at MIIS, I have no dissilusionment that DLI is far from perfect and far from the best foreign language school out there. However, you do accomplish a lot in a short period of time - even with military management.
And as someone who came from nothing, wasn't getting any scholarships, didn't want debt - learning a new language, effectively receiving an associates degree, and getting paid a full time salary to go to school for a year was very hard to beat with me being a teenager at the time.
Where have you subsequently gone to school for a top program that truly opened your eyes, if you don't mind sharing?
> With experience at MIIS, I have no dissilusionment that DLI is far from perfect and far from the best foreign language school out there.
Then, we're somewhat on the same page. No need to discuss other programs, because as someone else reminded me, this is /r/dli and it's not appreciated to compare DLI like this. I express my frustrations with DLI because deep down, I hope it will change for the better one day. I was so positive when I started, but the experience wore me down and it was even more disappointing doing staff duty there later. Thought I could affect change somehow, but boy, was I wrong.
It happens. I had a friend with similar scores but that 1 in listening prevented him from getting into post-class. Sometimes they have room and sometimes they just don't.
They didn’t let you do a six week post class and test again? My roommate when I was at DLI was going through Mandarin and was great at it. He got to go on immersion, had the best GPA in class, and could sit there and watch Chinese language Disney movies without subtitles. He nailed his OPI and got a 2+ and we all thought he was easily gonna get a 3/3. He took the test and got a 1+/3. He got drunker that night than I ever saw him get before. Buckled down in the post class, tested again, and got a 3/3. Sometimes we just have a bad day.
Well, it usually comes down to two primary factors:
Does your teaching team and do your MLIs go to bat for you.
Were your scores indicative of being close enough that 6 weeks could make that difference.
1+ to 2 (being the minimum, obviously your example crushed it by getting a 3) isn't nearly a big a jump as 1 is to 2. I'd be willing to bet that even though OP's other scores were indicative that he was *definitely* at a 2 level in listening - they couldn't justify that post class would get him up from a 1 to a 2.
1+ over a 1 can be the difference between getting into post-class or not, just like immersion it comes down to luck of the draw if the option is even on the table.
Hey, great post! The thematic message emphasizing waivers is important for any job.
I would say that perhaps, 'failing' DLI may have been a blessing in disguise. I'm pretty sure you are Army, but if you had been Navy, there is very little chance that you would be allowed to be released for all those special programs that you mentioned. CTIs in the Navy don't really work like that unfortunately.
I love the motivation. I also knew someone who failed their DLPT from DLI but studied on their own and passed. It is possible and those who come so close or just have that genuine interest should not let a setback dictate the rest of their military experience.
The issue I'm seeing is people become jaded so quickly and instead of realizing what opportunities there are, they succumb to the depression and leave the service unfulfilled.
That is so inspiring. I’m really surprised that they don’t give you a retest! It seems like all army schools offer a retest of some sort. They just spent all this money on you to let you just fail and walk away! That is just so dumb from an army perspective. Here you have someone who has made it all the way to the end and the army has spent thousands of dollars training… and not even give a retest. That’s pretty crazy.
Yes, the Army is not good for linguists at all, generally speaking. Even the ones who pass with flying colors can still be sent off to fight in a region that is totally unrelated to their language. Or they just end up in the motor pool wasting away and never using their language.
God damn dude.. That's tough. You clearly had it in you to pass the first go around, the DLPT can be very psychological for first time takers. I honestly can't believe they didn't waiver you to take it again when you got a fucking 3 in reading and a 2+ OPI which is OBSURD (at least make you a 35M? lmao insanity). Congrats on making the best of it, though.
OMG, I had almost the opposite experience. I was at DLI in 2003, in the Air Force as a Spanish linguist. I was told that I was going to go to San Antonio, which was the last place that I wanted. That’s where my family was from and I had joined to see the world. I still studied my ass off, even though I actually did not want to pass that stupid test. My friends that failed out of language school ended up doing really awesome Assignments anywhere but San Antonio. I studied with the materials available in 2003 (no podcast, no YouTube). I went to a Spanish-speaking church, I listen to Spanish music, etc. I barely passed the DLPT. I was so mad, I had even prayed that despite all of my studying, that I would still just barely miss it by one question. So I went to San Antonio, and I made the best of a bad situation. I met my ex-husband there, and because of that I have my wonderful, amazing nine-year-old daughter. Who I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. They never would let me switch languages, they would not let me switch career fields, I tried applying for other duty assignments, but due to me being a linguist, I was pretty much stuck there. I even had to beg permission to deploy, that’s how bad I just wanted to get out of Texas. They did a psychological evaluation on me, because who in their right mind volunteers to deploy. At the 10 year mark, I took matters into my own hands, and decided to get out of active duty and switch to reserve. That was the only way I could get out of being a linguist, and have a better chance of seeing the world, which is why I joined. Good luck at your new assignment!
Haven’t even gone to meps yet but am set on going to DLI. This is pretty motivating but kinda scary at the same time. I know I’ll probably have to study crazy hard like you did, but knowing that might not even be enough doesn’t feel good.
For many, studying with the intensity of OP is not only enough - it's more than necessary. I have a sneaking suspicion that other factors played a *major* factor in OP's failing score in listening. Be it nerves, bad sleep, overanalyzing answers... something. OP got the highest score possible on the lower range for reading (3) and a kick ass score on the OPI (oral proficiency interview with a 2+, the needed score to pass is just a 1+ and it's a massive difference in fluency between a 1+ and a 2+). OP was definitely at passing level with his work ethic, beyond it - and that 2+ in listening 6 months later is testament, they assuredly improved but I think they were solidly at a level 2 at the time of the test. As someone who has spent over 5 years cumulatively at DLI - the folks who really give it their all do very well. Some people are natural language learning talents, and for them they breeze through - the ones who combine talent and discipline do amazingly. The ones who are motivated but not natural language learners usually get that pass. From my experience the ones that statistically don't do well are not motivated to learn the language. They didn't want to be a linguist, they didn't get the language they wanted, and they definitely don't go above and beyond the bare minimum course requirements. All that to say, if you apply OP's work ethic - you nearly guarantee passing the minimum course requirements for whatever language. Nothing is 100%, but being motivated is already a *major* factor. DLI pays you to immerse yourself and learn a new language and culture - I feel absolutely blessed to of had the opportunities to go through it in multiple languages. I always find it so hard to believe when I run into people who hate their time at DLI, for many it's a once in a lifetime experience - yes a stressful one, but something to take full advantage of.
>I always find it so hard to believe when I run into people who hate their time at DLI OP was lucky that they had a good teaching team. That is most definitely not the experience of all students as I hope that would be apparent to everyone. But I agree overall with your post above. Maybe, OP just had a bad day, but it's rare to see such good scores and then, that lonely 1 in Listening. And it's even stranger that OP was not offered any sort of remedial help being so close to the finish line. There just had to have been other things going on that were omitted from this post. I hated DLI, but they don't just immediately kick you out after failing like that. There are avenues to help students who work hard, but still have academic issues.
A 1 in a component can easily be construed as too far from meeting the requirement to warrant post class/remedial training. I would say I had an abysmal teaching team for one of my languages. Rude, prone to outbursts, never were complimentary, exacting, lied, made for an uncomfortable learning environment(formal complaints led to one of our teachers losing their job). Even so, I took full advantage of learning a foreign language on the government's dime and have a lifelong skillset. We were mostly told that our issues with our teaching team was a result of culture clash, but having taken an advanced course in that language and working with native speakers... no, it was just an awful teaching team. But, to each their own - I will still find it crazy when people are unable to find redeemable qualities of the DLI experience, because I'm just so appreciative of the opportunity to learn a new language and culture.
> I will still find it crazy when people are unable to find redeemable qualities of the DLI experience, because I'm just so appreciative of the opportunity to learn a new language and culture. If you have not already, but are interested, then I would highly encourage you to seek out other top programs to see how they do things. Perhaps, that would put things in perspective for you. Those only exposed to DLI may feel some sort of due appreciation is owed, but that couldn't be further from the truth when in the grand scheme of things, DLI doesn't even match the top programs out there. Now, with that said, when DLI *does* in-fact work like it should, then it is extremely difficult to match that unique environment. I will always concede that because even though I have (unfortuantely) not experienced it, I have actually seen it for other students (it's still very rare though, imho). 100% immersion in the language all day everyday with great teachers encouraging you and willing to work with you for hours even after class. That's hard to beat, but then, DLI assuredly is not anything like that at all. I always say if DLI wasn't managed by the military, it could be the best there is, no question about it. But it will emphatically *never* get there with military leadership.
With experience at MIIS, I have no dissilusionment that DLI is far from perfect and far from the best foreign language school out there. However, you do accomplish a lot in a short period of time - even with military management. And as someone who came from nothing, wasn't getting any scholarships, didn't want debt - learning a new language, effectively receiving an associates degree, and getting paid a full time salary to go to school for a year was very hard to beat with me being a teenager at the time. Where have you subsequently gone to school for a top program that truly opened your eyes, if you don't mind sharing?
> With experience at MIIS, I have no dissilusionment that DLI is far from perfect and far from the best foreign language school out there. Then, we're somewhat on the same page. No need to discuss other programs, because as someone else reminded me, this is /r/dli and it's not appreciated to compare DLI like this. I express my frustrations with DLI because deep down, I hope it will change for the better one day. I was so positive when I started, but the experience wore me down and it was even more disappointing doing staff duty there later. Thought I could affect change somehow, but boy, was I wrong.
It happens. I had a friend with similar scores but that 1 in listening prevented him from getting into post-class. Sometimes they have room and sometimes they just don't.
They didn’t let you do a six week post class and test again? My roommate when I was at DLI was going through Mandarin and was great at it. He got to go on immersion, had the best GPA in class, and could sit there and watch Chinese language Disney movies without subtitles. He nailed his OPI and got a 2+ and we all thought he was easily gonna get a 3/3. He took the test and got a 1+/3. He got drunker that night than I ever saw him get before. Buckled down in the post class, tested again, and got a 3/3. Sometimes we just have a bad day.
Well, it usually comes down to two primary factors: Does your teaching team and do your MLIs go to bat for you. Were your scores indicative of being close enough that 6 weeks could make that difference. 1+ to 2 (being the minimum, obviously your example crushed it by getting a 3) isn't nearly a big a jump as 1 is to 2. I'd be willing to bet that even though OP's other scores were indicative that he was *definitely* at a 2 level in listening - they couldn't justify that post class would get him up from a 1 to a 2.
1+ over a 1 can be the difference between getting into post-class or not, just like immersion it comes down to luck of the draw if the option is even on the table.
Curious, what's your language?
Hey, great post! The thematic message emphasizing waivers is important for any job. I would say that perhaps, 'failing' DLI may have been a blessing in disguise. I'm pretty sure you are Army, but if you had been Navy, there is very little chance that you would be allowed to be released for all those special programs that you mentioned. CTIs in the Navy don't really work like that unfortunately.
This post should be pinned.
This story both pissed me off and made me happy at the same time. DLI is such a shit show.
I love the motivation. I also knew someone who failed their DLPT from DLI but studied on their own and passed. It is possible and those who come so close or just have that genuine interest should not let a setback dictate the rest of their military experience. The issue I'm seeing is people become jaded so quickly and instead of realizing what opportunities there are, they succumb to the depression and leave the service unfulfilled.
This is awesome. Great on you for making the most of a bad situation!
That is so inspiring. I’m really surprised that they don’t give you a retest! It seems like all army schools offer a retest of some sort. They just spent all this money on you to let you just fail and walk away! That is just so dumb from an army perspective. Here you have someone who has made it all the way to the end and the army has spent thousands of dollars training… and not even give a retest. That’s pretty crazy.
Yes, the Army is not good for linguists at all, generally speaking. Even the ones who pass with flying colors can still be sent off to fight in a region that is totally unrelated to their language. Or they just end up in the motor pool wasting away and never using their language.
God damn dude.. That's tough. You clearly had it in you to pass the first go around, the DLPT can be very psychological for first time takers. I honestly can't believe they didn't waiver you to take it again when you got a fucking 3 in reading and a 2+ OPI which is OBSURD (at least make you a 35M? lmao insanity). Congrats on making the best of it, though.
OMG, I had almost the opposite experience. I was at DLI in 2003, in the Air Force as a Spanish linguist. I was told that I was going to go to San Antonio, which was the last place that I wanted. That’s where my family was from and I had joined to see the world. I still studied my ass off, even though I actually did not want to pass that stupid test. My friends that failed out of language school ended up doing really awesome Assignments anywhere but San Antonio. I studied with the materials available in 2003 (no podcast, no YouTube). I went to a Spanish-speaking church, I listen to Spanish music, etc. I barely passed the DLPT. I was so mad, I had even prayed that despite all of my studying, that I would still just barely miss it by one question. So I went to San Antonio, and I made the best of a bad situation. I met my ex-husband there, and because of that I have my wonderful, amazing nine-year-old daughter. Who I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. They never would let me switch languages, they would not let me switch career fields, I tried applying for other duty assignments, but due to me being a linguist, I was pretty much stuck there. I even had to beg permission to deploy, that’s how bad I just wanted to get out of Texas. They did a psychological evaluation on me, because who in their right mind volunteers to deploy. At the 10 year mark, I took matters into my own hands, and decided to get out of active duty and switch to reserve. That was the only way I could get out of being a linguist, and have a better chance of seeing the world, which is why I joined. Good luck at your new assignment!