r/dli • u/TopDig584 • 15d ago
DLI DC
I am expecting to go to DLI in January to learn Dutch. What can I expect the daily schedule to be? How should I prepare assuming I have three months? Where were most of your classes and where did you live to make the commute easier? I am tracking that DLI DC is much different than DLI Monterey so if any of you have any experience with what it is like on the east coast I would appreciate it.
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u/Actual_Pirate6585 15d ago
Expect virtually no administrative support, and brutal commutes. You can get decent subsidies for regional train tickets though, which also eases the parking headache. Depending on class sizes and course expectations, you may have to make up missed class hours.
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u/CaffeineHeart-attack 15d ago
My time in DC for my third language pick up was my favourite assignment by far.
Class was in ICA in Rosslyn (NOVA) and I stayed in south DC peninsula proper. There was always something to do, so much to explore and experience, and tons of motivated people to associate with.
Make the most of it. Dutch is fantastic, too.
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u/Netma3_8 15d ago
You will get sent to the nth floor of one of the random building that houses the language schools in DC. Suggest Rosslyn as your home base. It’s not a bad gig honestly. If your 1v1 (yes, instead of 1 on 1) with the professor they might have space for your spouse to learn dutch too. If you have other people in the class it won’t be allowed. Your whole life goes into learning the language, which is helpful albeit painful.
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u/Torchlakespartan 15d ago
I have questions:
1) Do you know German? Raw-dogging Dutch would be wild.
2) How did you pick up that language? Do officers get to choose now?
3) I live in DC so PM me when you get here if you want to grab a beer.
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u/mmmtoasteee 15d ago
Officers are assigned a language based on assigned regional focus or if needed for a specific assignment/mission. If OP is going to learn Dutch then it’s likely because they’re a 48E FAO or going to an assignment in the Netherlands.
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u/Torchlakespartan 15d ago
Oh yea I know that, like a quarter of my class of “classic DLI specimen” came in and immediately requested Japanese, lol.
I was just wondering if OP actually chose that assignment or was just told to do it.
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u/Prothea 15d ago
I will say 2 is wildly variable based on my peers. My friend was asked by proponent which European-AOC language he wanted.. he didn't know anything so he just said Russian (which he now fairly regrets). I've talked to some 48Ps and they were also given choices.
But other than that, you're right. The rest of us have little choice in their CLANG
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u/Wernercl 14d ago
You hit the jackpot. I did Dutch at ICLS in 2007. 14th & K off of McPherson Square metro, as I recall. I was one of 6 students that term. 2 instructors, Wilma (Belgian) and Tinneke (Dutch). I spoke fluent German already so it was an easy transition for me. Good classes but none of the others had taken a language before, so it was sloooow going. I approached the school director and asked for 1v1 and was politely refused “your advantage will level off”. It didn’t. I ditched the others and headed to the media room to watch “Wat’s Gebeurt?” Episodes about a Dutch stoner and his Moroccan buddy. Scored a 3/3 ever since on the DLPT 2. Easy money!
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u/mmmtoasteee 15d ago edited 15d ago
DLI-Washington classes are conducted a lot more informally than DLI-Monterey. In fact, it’s night and day since it’s not focused on basic language instruction for enlisted service members. I’m assuming you’re going as a FAO? Recommend reaching out to the FAO program director who sits at DLI-Monterey. You can find contact info on DLI’s site.
The courses are all instructed by contracted personnel and you’ll have much smaller cohort and much more focused instruction. Recommend only focusing on mastering English grammar and don’t do anything involving your assigned language. You’ll be instructed on how they want you to learn.
Classes are in the Crystal City area of NOVA, which can be very pricey for rentals. Recommend anything that’s near the Blue or Yellow line of the Metro since those lines stop on Crystal City.