Job Discussion Forums

[Sadebugo]

Well, I won't again claim that DLIELC is the best job in EFL. The last time I did that, I got caught up in an out-of-control debate concerning the moral negatives of working for the DOD. I will just say it's a pretty darn good EFL job. I'm ecstatic at the moment because I just received notice of my next posting. I will be spending three months in the Republic of Georgia beginning in August!! In four years, I have traveled and lived in Slovakia, Japan, Djibouti, Afghanistan and now, Georgia. The opportunity to travel along with the secure retirement put this job at least in the top five.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[Sadebugo]

Thanks for the encouraging words. Yes, I was so lucky to fall into this. I wish I had come here sooner. I was aware of DLI as early as '97 but didn't apply till '05. Had I known about all the opportunities to travel, I would have applied much sooner.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[AdamtheJohnson]

Can you elaborate on the job and why its great? I'm not familiar with it or your past posts on the matter.

[Sadebugo]

No problem. The US Department of the Air Force has an English Language School that trains foreign military. I work for this school. It's a civil service position with all the perks that are associated with that. Not only can you work in San Antonio, TX where the school is located but you can also work overseas quite frequently. The website is:

http://www.dlielc.org/

All the information is there.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[Noor]

When I logged in this morning and checked the list of new posts since my last visit, I found it rather ironic this thread was followed by this: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=73768&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

"Forget the ethics," indeed.

[Marquess]

The DLI's American Language Course is apalling and still in use! Lord knows what they teach in San Antonio but they enjoy taking the money though.

[Sadebugo]

Marquess,

Some people like the curriculum, some do not. When I was teaching in Saudi Arabia, I complained about it at times but then realized it was necessary because it included all the elements required by a language program, i.e., audio-visual, testing materials, etc. In Saudi, there was no other textbook(s) that could replace it. Yes, you can find other commercial materials out there that might be better for teaching a particular skill for a shorter period of time, but no series as comprehensive.

At DLI, there are three major teaching departments. General English where the curriculum you are referring to is used. Specialized English which uses a variety of materials pertinent to the topic being taught. I teach in the Aviation section and the materials we use are amazing with us also having access to a simlab! The final department is Instructor Development where foreign military are trained to be English Instructors. They do use commericial materials depending on the current needs.

The ALC may not be as dynamic as some from the publishing companies. However, I'm not aware of any company that publishes a curriculum capable of taking a student from false beginner to an advanced level after a year utilizing 34 volumes of a course followed by materials relevant to his follow-on-training. Whatever, it manages to qualify over 2,000 students per year (including pilots) to take on their military training.

DLI is a huge operation with about 150 instructors (up to 50 of those being overseas at any given time) and another 75 personnel involved in curriculum development, testing, IMI, evaluation, etc. I had worked overseas in private language institutes, a university, and for two military contractors in the Middle East. I have never, ever been involved in an organization so professional and so prepared to train students. The curriculum could always be better but relative to others, it's not so bad IMHO.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[ntropy]

When I was looking into applying for this job a couple of years ago, I was told it was for US citizens only.

Just a heads up for the non-USAnians who are interested in this.

[Sadebugo]

[johnslat]

Dear Sadebugo,
Usually or almost always, but not always:

"Only United States citizens and nationals may be appointed in the competitive civil service; however, Federal agencies may employ certain non-citizens who meet specific employability requirements in the excepted service or the Senior Executive Service. Several factors determine whether a Federal agency may employ a non-citizen. They are: Executive Order 11935 requiring citizenship in the competitive civil service, the annual appropriations act ban on paying aliens from many countries, and the immigration law ban on employing aliens unless they are lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise authorized to be employed."

Regards,
John

[Sadebugo]

[johnslat]

Dear Sadebugo,
Nope, nineteen years was enough. I left in 2003. Since then, I've been where my avatar location says: Santa Fe, NM, USA.
Regards,
John
P.S. Very nice blog, by the way. Are you the real McCoy?

[Sadebugo]

Thanks for checking out the blog and feel free to comment on it anytime!

Yes, I am a 'real' McCoy having grown up in Kentucky where the feud actually took place.

You stayed in SA 19 years! You're tougher than I am.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[johnslat]

Dear Sadebugo,

"Tougher" is one (nice) way of putting it, but I can think of a few (not-so-nice) other ways.
I didn't spend nineteen continuous years there; I took some short breaks in a vain attempt to preserve my sanity.
Regards,
John

[JZer]

Sadebugo, can you tell us what qualifications are needed to apply for your job at the DLI?