Defense Language Institute (DLI) has exceptional performance and reputation in foreign language training programs. Curriculum of DLI's Chinese language programs takes a very traditional approach. Curriculum planning and development is a strict "top-down" process.
Defense Language Institute (DLI) has exceptional performance and reputation in foreign language training programs. Curriculum of DLI's Chinese language programs takes a very traditional approach. Curriculum planning and development is a strict "top-down" process.
Defense Language Institute (DLI) has exceptional performance and reputation in foreign language training programs. Curriculum of DLI's Chinese language programs takes a very traditional approach. Curriculum planning and development is a strict "top-down" process.
for Chinese Language Program at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) By Cong-Kai (Kyle) Jin
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Introduction:
Defense Language Institute (DLI), located in Presidio of
Monterey, California, is a very unique educational institution under the Department of Defense (DoD).
DLI has exceptional performance and reputation in foreign
language training programs.
DLI is dubbed by many as the Language Capital of the
World.
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Introduction: (continued)
If we are to study an educational program systematically
and intelligently we must first be sure as to the educational objectives aimed at (Tyler, 1949, p.3).
DLIs mission is to provide culturally based foreign
language education, training, evaluation and sustainment to enhance the security of the nation.
DLIs vision is to deliver the worlds best culturally based
foreign language education and training at the point of need.
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Conversation Process:
Informal conversational interview with Ms. Jenny Williams
(pseudonym was used to protect the confidentiality of the interviewee) in June, 2015, regarding her thoughts on the curriculum of Chinese language instruction used in DLI.
Ms. Williams is a Mandarin Chinese language instructor and
Assistant Professor of DLI in Monterey, California.
Disclaimer: All information Ms. Williams disclosed during
interview is her personal opinion only and for background reference, not in any way being considered as the official position of the DLI or other federal government agencies.
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Findings:
Curriculum of DLIs Chinese language programs takes a
very traditional approach which heavily focuses on subject-matter and the needs of society (i.e., national security) as confirmed by DLIs official mission statement.
DLIs curriculum planning and development is a strict
top-down process.
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Findings: (continued)
DLIs curriculum also featured with repeated tests and
exams (e.g., OPI and DLPT5) as measures of evaluation of students performance.
One lesson every three days; conduct one mid-unit exam
after every three completed lessons, then one unit exam after six lessons. All exams include three parts (i.e., listening, reading and speaking) of tests.
If a student failed three times in a row with scores lower
than 74 points at the same part of three consecutive unit exams, the student will be dis-enrolled and expelled from school.
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Findings: (continued) The
greatest controversy among DLI faculty
members regarding the curriculum of language instruction in DLI is: Whether teaching is for students to pass the tests.
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Findings: (continued)
Fact: DLIs current curriculum emphasizes on test-based
language proficiency performance.
However, some DLI faculty members are trying to :
Integrate more student-centered considerations into the
curriculum design;
Inspire students genuine interests in language learning and
make them delight in their learning experience;
Attain the goals of achieving high language proficiency
performance as is always expected in the curriculum design of DLI.
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Conclusion:
DLI is not a school promoting liberal arts education, nor is
it a school taking progressive educational approach.
DLI is not a regular college or university addressing
academic performance, but a military education institution focusing on language proficiency performance.
DLI is a world renowned professional military training
facility with clear objective to provide culturally based foreign language education, training, evaluation and sustainment to enhance the security of the nation as its mission statement.
EDCI 803: Curriculum Development
Conclusion: (continued)
Under such context, it makes sense that the current
curriculum of DLI has a strong flavor of traditional approach and thus is a more subject-matter and society needs based platform.
However, given DLI already has an outstanding language
training program, I believe what can be done to better it off, at least, is that more attention and considerations should be placed on students learning experience, beside the well calibrated focus on subject matter and the needs of society, in the equilibrium of curriculum development.