DLAB Failure.
- Thread starter EverSoLost
- Start date
Florida173
SOF Support
Do you have any previous foreign language training? High school Latin, etc?
I took the DLAB in '86 - it hasn't changed, to my knowledge. I graduated from DLI in 1987. I was cadre there '02-'05. I speak English, Spanish, some Turkish, some Russian, and a little Arabic (MSA). I'm not bragging, just trying to give you my bona fides before I give you advice.
The DLAB is about your ability to learn basic language skills. It's about grammar and syntax (sentence structure) - and a little vocabulary. In a very short time, they give you rules and vocab and then see how well you picked up the rules - but you know how the test is structured
The best way you can prepare for the DLAB is to review basic English grammar skills. Basic grammar skills. Basic grammar skills......have I made my point? The whole point of the test is to see if you have the aptitude to learn quickly and turn it around.
I say this because 1) I know, 2) becasue, when possible, at DLI, each student goes through a headstart class before actually starting class - guess what? Basic English grammar. 3) the method of instruction there is "stick a fire hose in your mouth...."
They've actually been fielding a new DLAB. A few of my friends took it while at DLI. I think one of the reasons is how poorly people are doing on the DLPT5. It took me two years to graduate Arabic.. and I still ended up not making the DLPT by a two questions in listening, and now that the DLPT5 is in effect, there is no way I can study on my own. Hoping this deployment will set me up with some success.
I've heard that even native speakers have a hard time achieving the highest scores in the DLPT5. It sounds like they've turned it into an exercise in arcane rules of grammar and usage as opposed to a real test of how well you use the language in the real world. And think of how much money they save when troops don't get the minumum nessecary for pro pay.
As for the DLAB, it was always designed to gauge aptitude, not likelihood of completing a language program. I saw a few that slipped through the cracks at DLI who had no business being there, and they wound up getting bounced. I've heard the attrition rates have gone up even more in recent years, although I think they may have stabilized with the dire need to field enough Arabic speakers.
And you'll find your skills improve dramatically upon deploying to the Mid East. I didn't have any background in the Gulf dialect, and within a couple of months of running around the Eastern Province in SA, I was able to get my ear tuned to the right frequency. Being surrounded by native speakers is always going to bring about improvement.
Florida173
SOF Support
Spanish is really waking people up to the difficulties of the DLPT5. people that were once 3/3 are now barely passing.. same with arabic though. Your right on about the grammar exercise, but the real thing is knowing what is going on in the world of the target language, because a lot of the questions have stuff to do about the modern news day items. Like the Iranians taking the British soldiers and what not.
As far as the DLAB. I originally took it on my way out of 11B and got a 98. Picked farsi for my gaining unit.. but retook the DLAB again and got like 118 or something and requested Arabic. was told no and that farsi was fine for me, but soon enough there was someone from my unit that refusing to go that was in an arabic slot, so I just took their spot. I'm looking forward to some real familiarization of iraqi dialect.
I am scheduled to take the DLAB this morning in just two hours from now. I have not learned any language aside from English and I have not studied for this test in any regard.
More to the point, I am primarily taking the DLAB to find out what a random person like myself can get away with, considering my complete lack of preparation.
Cheerio
More to the point, I am primarily taking the DLAB to find out what a random person like myself can get away with, considering my complete lack of preparation.
Cheerio
Florida173
SOF Support
you could take the test three times and get three very different answers
Well it's over...and I completely agree with you from my horrible experience.
That test was pretty damn confusing despite the fact that I consider myself to be a person that excels in English grammar.
It was quite an annoying test indeed and I fail to see how anyone could really study for it, aside from being able to recognize verbs, nouns, adjectives, possessives, and subjects.
For me, the difficulty in the audio portion of the test involved trying to memorize and apply all of the grammatical rules regarding the "new" language. Coupled with the fact that the speaker's unusual accent made it difficult to catch the correct articulation. Sounded like a cross between Russian and Arabic, so MAYBE an ability to vocalize those two languages would help some in identifying the stresses in syllables.
As for the written part, I didn't understand how some of the pictures related in order to determine which sentence matched the right figure. In my personal opinion, I think the test is flawed in that regard. Most of the pictures didn't seem to display any pattern at all or the similarities were so minor that it made no logical difference on which answer was correct...it was insane. One of the other students spoke three languages fluently and even he failed.
As for me, I only scored 80 :doh:. So my advice for anyone wanting to take the DLAB is simply to go for it one time as I did, because if you fail than you'll least understand how the test is structured and administered, which will help tremendously during retesting. You may also want to find ways to improve your short term memory, as it is VERY important during the audio portion when applying the new grammatical rules such as:
1. All verbs will start with (ya) and contain an (aah) sound in the middle.
or
2. All nouns will always precede adjectives. And nouns will end with "aye" or "ohh" while adjectives end with "eh."
Those are just examples and there are many more rules than that to remember in order to give the correct answer.
So yeah, the audio portion is all about your memory in my opinion and the written portion is just best guess because it's so chewed up.
In six months I plan to retest just for the hell of it. Which brings me to my second advice, if you don't pass it the first time, then take it again and again.
If you can't score high enough after 3 tries then it just wasn't meant to be and you should decide on other career choices. :2c:
Florida173
SOF Support
don't sweat it.. take it again in a little while. My first attempt at it got me a 98.. then a bit later I tried it again and got a 82... my last go at it got a 118.
On another note.. we had a navy guy in my arabic class that only got a 90... he didn't last too long and went to spanish..
On another note.. we had a navy guy in my arabic class that only got a 90... he didn't last too long and went to spanish..
I want one of those patches, Florida 173. :cool:
Florida173
SOF Support
got it from grey group when i was visiting bragg
www.milspecmonkey.com
http://www.milspecmonkey.com/store/...6&orderby=product_name&limit=30&limitstart=30
I ordered a bunch of them and handed them out to all of the Officer types in our unit... of course, they were a hit.
http://www.milspecmonkey.com/store/...6&orderby=product_name&limit=30&limitstart=30
I ordered a bunch of them and handed them out to all of the Officer types in our unit... of course, they were a hit.
I only got a 78 on the DLAB, and was assigned Arabic.
I passed the first time with a 2, 1+, 1+.
It can be done:cool:.
Florida173
SOF Support
haha... that is only passing for SOF.. although quite impressive for only 6 months or however long you did it. Have you tried the 5 yet? that thing blows
AugieSpook
Unverified
No studying, just think made up language and what is the most logical representation they are offering as answers. I took the DLAB back in 80 and I believe it was the same test. The RS courses are good and if you study them correctly you may be able to test out of the language you are studying and never have to go to DLI (although it's a nice break for a year or so)
I have a coin from a unit in Qatar that has Secret Squirrel on it. Of course, I asked, "Where's Morocco Mole?!"
borebrotherbore
Verified Military
Yeah, that's right I'm reviving this thread :)
So my MOS has an out-call for E-5's (74D NBC) so I was just planning on ETS'ing. I was force reclassed to this MOS after taking 1 too many IED strikes to the noggin while being an 11b with 25th ID. I had fun with this MOS at Stewart being part of a RECON platoon, which was about 6-9 guys of verying backgrounds running around in FOX vehicles or running out in blackhawks to test explosive residue. I work for NATO now in the Netherlands and hate it, sitting behind a desk doing admin work.
So now the rant is over, I took the DLAB on a whim for my retention NCO. So come 8 AM Monday morning I take it, 2 1/2 hours later I'm out of there with a giant headache and a score of 100. My retention NCO is looking at getting a packet for 35P going for myself. And now that I found out that my wife is preggers last Friday, I think that staying in the Army would be a good decision. I know that I will end up getting Pashtu or Farsi, doubt I will be lucky enough to get Russian.
So on to my question, finally, I'm worried about going to DLI and failing. Letting down my wife and new baby. I know it will be hard, but I'm really freaking out about how hard it will be. I understand that I will have to study my ass off and immerse myself in the language. I just don't want to set my wife up for a move to Cali and then failing and having to ETS or worse stay chemical
. Some background for me regarding language. I was fluent in German up to about the age of 10 when my grandparents, who taught me, passed away and I no longer had anyone to speak German with. So I mostly lost that. I took Spanish, German in High School and got decent grades. I was more interested in chaising tail and partying then I was my grades.
So please, if you have experience with DLI. Don't sugar coat it, be straight up with what I should expect and how I can prepare myself for the learning curve of being force fed a language.
Thanks for any help!
So my MOS has an out-call for E-5's (74D NBC) so I was just planning on ETS'ing. I was force reclassed to this MOS after taking 1 too many IED strikes to the noggin while being an 11b with 25th ID. I had fun with this MOS at Stewart being part of a RECON platoon, which was about 6-9 guys of verying backgrounds running around in FOX vehicles or running out in blackhawks to test explosive residue. I work for NATO now in the Netherlands and hate it, sitting behind a desk doing admin work.
So now the rant is over, I took the DLAB on a whim for my retention NCO. So come 8 AM Monday morning I take it, 2 1/2 hours later I'm out of there with a giant headache and a score of 100. My retention NCO is looking at getting a packet for 35P going for myself. And now that I found out that my wife is preggers last Friday, I think that staying in the Army would be a good decision. I know that I will end up getting Pashtu or Farsi, doubt I will be lucky enough to get Russian.
So on to my question, finally, I'm worried about going to DLI and failing. Letting down my wife and new baby. I know it will be hard, but I'm really freaking out about how hard it will be. I understand that I will have to study my ass off and immerse myself in the language. I just don't want to set my wife up for a move to Cali and then failing and having to ETS or worse stay chemical
. Some background for me regarding language. I was fluent in German up to about the age of 10 when my grandparents, who taught me, passed away and I no longer had anyone to speak German with. So I mostly lost that. I took Spanish, German in High School and got decent grades. I was more interested in chaising tail and partying then I was my grades.So please, if you have experience with DLI. Don't sugar coat it, be straight up with what I should expect and how I can prepare myself for the learning curve of being force fed a language.
Thanks for any help!
Here was a typical class day...
Class start 0800
Class end 1545 (1445 without SA)
You get a 5 min. break each hour and you WILL need it. The first three weeks all students are required to stay the extra hour called Student Assistance or SA. If your grades are up to par and the teachers don't feel like you need the extra assistance you can skip the final hour after 3 weeks.
Lunch is usually 60min to 90min. it varies on which language and schoolhouse you fall under. We had lunch from 1045-1200. From day one on it's a firehose. The teachers come in and speak in nothing but the target language. At first the moral of the class is usually upbeat and stays this way for 2-3 weeks. Then the grind really starts to hit and the hours become longer and longer and the breaks are shorter and shorter. You will know what I mean when you get there and you are the new class and you observe the reaction of students from older classes when they are on break.....
Strung out is being kind. ..
Teaching teams...
Your success will greatly depend on yours. They are generally native speakers, I had one that was American but learned the language through higher education. The personality and style of your teachers will have a big impact on your success, atleast it did mine but YMMV.
Homework...
I usually had 2 hours of homework each night on top of whatever studying I needed to do. You MUST prepare for the next day. Once the train starts it doesn't stop and you have to keep rolling with it. The first few weeks or months depending on your language are critical and you MUST get the foundation of the language down. Without a solid foundation you can't build nor branch out. If you miss something there is not enough time to stop the class and go back. You have to keep up. Use your classmates, get with your teachers after class, look for tutors, they're out there. There is usually a board at your schoolhouse with postings for tutors ect.
Success....
I immersed myself. Myself and my squad refused to speak English and tried to speak amongst ourselves in only our target language. Aside from PT I was a ghost and stayed in. While I was studying or doing homework I would loop a DVD and play it over and over and over in the larget language. English was an afterthought. At night I would stream radio stations, turn the volume down and listen to it while I slept...passive listening. I happened to be single so I was able to limit my interaction with people. I would call home and speak for no more than 10-15 min. a night. I never wanted the wheels to slow down.
Breaks....
Saturdays were my main day I took a break. There was no school, no language, nothing. This was when I called my g/f, mother, pets whatever. You will NEED the break. You have to take one or you'll crack. I always did my homework on Friday evening, then I would relax or maybe go out to some of the bars (Crown and Anchor, Mucky Duck ect.) Then as I said I had Saturday to relax and recharge. Come Sunday I was preparing for Monday. You already have your homework done so you just need to get the wheels glowing hot again.
Aside from the standard homework you will also have Area Studies Projects. Basically you will give a 5min. presentation in your target language on a subject that relates to the country your language originates from or is found....so there could be several options to choose from depending on your language. The projects progress in difficulty eg 5min. 10 min. 15 and I think 25 min. was the final. Aside from speaking on a topic you are expected to also present a slideshow along with it.
Don't be intimidated though. It is very doable but like anything else you really have to want it and you can't take it lightly. It's one long grind and you just have to suck it up. As long as your family is understanding to what you are going through and the time that you have to invest you should be ok...
I'll write more in a little bit but I have to get going. I hope this helps and please be sure to ask any questions you may have.
Class start 0800
Class end 1545 (1445 without SA)
You get a 5 min. break each hour and you WILL need it. The first three weeks all students are required to stay the extra hour called Student Assistance or SA. If your grades are up to par and the teachers don't feel like you need the extra assistance you can skip the final hour after 3 weeks.
Lunch is usually 60min to 90min. it varies on which language and schoolhouse you fall under. We had lunch from 1045-1200. From day one on it's a firehose. The teachers come in and speak in nothing but the target language. At first the moral of the class is usually upbeat and stays this way for 2-3 weeks. Then the grind really starts to hit and the hours become longer and longer and the breaks are shorter and shorter. You will know what I mean when you get there and you are the new class and you observe the reaction of students from older classes when they are on break.....
Strung out is being kind. ..
Teaching teams...
Your success will greatly depend on yours. They are generally native speakers, I had one that was American but learned the language through higher education. The personality and style of your teachers will have a big impact on your success, atleast it did mine but YMMV.
Homework...
I usually had 2 hours of homework each night on top of whatever studying I needed to do. You MUST prepare for the next day. Once the train starts it doesn't stop and you have to keep rolling with it. The first few weeks or months depending on your language are critical and you MUST get the foundation of the language down. Without a solid foundation you can't build nor branch out. If you miss something there is not enough time to stop the class and go back. You have to keep up. Use your classmates, get with your teachers after class, look for tutors, they're out there. There is usually a board at your schoolhouse with postings for tutors ect.
Success....
I immersed myself. Myself and my squad refused to speak English and tried to speak amongst ourselves in only our target language. Aside from PT I was a ghost and stayed in. While I was studying or doing homework I would loop a DVD and play it over and over and over in the larget language. English was an afterthought. At night I would stream radio stations, turn the volume down and listen to it while I slept...passive listening. I happened to be single so I was able to limit my interaction with people. I would call home and speak for no more than 10-15 min. a night. I never wanted the wheels to slow down.
Breaks....
Saturdays were my main day I took a break. There was no school, no language, nothing. This was when I called my g/f, mother, pets whatever. You will NEED the break. You have to take one or you'll crack. I always did my homework on Friday evening, then I would relax or maybe go out to some of the bars (Crown and Anchor, Mucky Duck ect.) Then as I said I had Saturday to relax and recharge. Come Sunday I was preparing for Monday. You already have your homework done so you just need to get the wheels glowing hot again.
Aside from the standard homework you will also have Area Studies Projects. Basically you will give a 5min. presentation in your target language on a subject that relates to the country your language originates from or is found....so there could be several options to choose from depending on your language. The projects progress in difficulty eg 5min. 10 min. 15 and I think 25 min. was the final. Aside from speaking on a topic you are expected to also present a slideshow along with it.
Don't be intimidated though. It is very doable but like anything else you really have to want it and you can't take it lightly. It's one long grind and you just have to suck it up. As long as your family is understanding to what you are going through and the time that you have to invest you should be ok...
I'll write more in a little bit but I have to get going. I hope this helps and please be sure to ask any questions you may have.
You already have experience learning/applying new languages. That will help.
Make sure your wife understands the classroom rigors you are signing up for.
Can you bring a family member to CA to help your wife get ready for the baby?
Make sure your wife understands the classroom rigors you are signing up for.
Can you bring a family member to CA to help your wife get ready for the baby?
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