FAO Quotables

"But being right, even morally right, isn't everything. It is also important to be competent, to be consistent, and to be knowledgeable. It's important for your soldiers and diplomats to speak the language of the people you want to influence. It's important to understand the ethnic and tribal divisions of the place you hope to assist."
-Anne Applebaum

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

FAO's: Here's how to get your spouse signed up for the DLAB and DLI Language course

               In order for your wife to audit a language class at DLI (yes, this is a possiblity!), she must first take the DLAB(Defense Language Aptitude Batttery).  If you aren't stationed in Monterey, she probably can't take it until you get here (at least they wouldn't let my wife take it in Washington DC).  Once you arrive in Monterey though, you need to get in touch with Student Services Office at DLI.  There is a test control officer for NPS in that office.  I have the phone number and email for that person if you contact me personally (from a .navy, .gov, .mil account).

               The second step is to contact the CO of CID (Center for Information Dominance).  Don't worry, the CO is an O-4 so you don't have to email an O-6 to do this.  This office has the quota control for Navy Language billets.  Again, contact me personally and I can pass on that information.  This is currently where I am in the process.  I will update this blog post as I find out more.

NOTE:  There is a similar process for Army and Air Force personnel.  If you are reporting to Monterey/DLI, I would be happy to help you get in touch with the right people. 

 *If you are an Africa FAO and want to get your spouse into a French class, you will likely find that the French classes are all full.  In that case, it is best to get him/her into a Portuguese class.  Sometimes there will be a no-show for the French class and the spouse can slide into that spot.

BONUS:  Please check out the language resources on FAOWeb!  They are superb.  Your spouse can also get an account.
          In particular, check out the CL-150 Rapid Rote program.  When you register for this program, you will be able to download the Rapid Rote app from Itunes.  This app gives you progressive language flash cards in just about every language you can think of that work on your Iphone/Android.
           Perhaps most importantly you can sign up for "Broadband Distance Learning Courses" if you aren't here in Monterey (especially for those overseas).  These are specifically designed courses conducted over VTC for your specific schedule.  You can also sign up for a virtual diagnostic assessment--a great way to find deficient areas in your proficiency to specifically target. 
       

Previous Language-ish FUUO posts:
http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2011/04/usmc-mandates-faoweb-for-its-faorao.html
http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2011/03/faos-print-out-this-quote-fuuo.html
http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2011/03/if-you-have-nko-navy-knowledge-online.html
http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2011/03/money-tip-for-naval-aviators-seeking.html
http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2011/04/took-dlpt-today.html
http://fuuo.blogspot.com/2011/05/never-lost-in-translation-faolanguage.html
http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2012/NAV12049.txt
https://myfao.nps.edu/

4 comments:

  1. Do you know what the spouse must score on the DLAB? For example, does the spouse need the same score a svc member would need to take a language?

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  2. I am not sure but I believe they need the same score as the service member. If you don't score high enough--don't give up--take the test a second time. My own score went up 30 points when I did this!

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  3. Hello, not sure how to reach out to you but would love to know how the process turned out for your wife being able to sit in on the class?

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  4. Hi! Are you still providing information on contacts for helping your spouse get into a DLI course with you?

    ReplyDelete