A typical day for a student at the Defense Language Institute includes six daily language classes taught with the latest technology in smart classrooms. Students use computers for language learning, tests, and projects, and are issued MP3 players for homework. They practice speaking one-on-one with native instructors and study area studies topics. In their free time, students have access to two dining facilities, a food court, snack bars, and the Hobson Student Center which has movies, games, music rooms, and computers. Students stay active through physical training, intramural sports at the on-site fitness center, and outdoor activities like jogging on local trails. Beyond classes, students participate in off-base activities like picnics

1. So what is a student’s regular day like?

2. DLI has the very best technology available. All of our classrooms have DVDs, computers and “Smart Boards”.

3. Computers are used for language learning, transcription, tests, current events research and special internet projects .

4. Students are issued MP-3 players to do group listening activities in class and homework after school.

5. Students often take tests in the Language Labs. Study Hall is held here 2 nights a week for students who need extra help.

6. As often as reasonably possible, students practice speaking 1-on-1 with native instructors

7. They do Area Studies (ethnic groups, history, geography, culture et cetera)

8. Students singing Serbian and Croatian carols for a class Christmas party.

9. Persian-Farsi students on break between one of their six daily classes.

10. What about when students aren’t in class? What is there to do on post? ? How is the food? What About exercise?

11. DLI has 2 dining facilities, a food court and 2 snack bars scattered around the campus. Lunch typically is almost 2 hours long, so students have time to visit their supervisors. Vegetarian food is available.

13. To burn off all that free food, students do physical training a few hours a week

15. And we get to jog by the shops, sea lions, otters sailboats, seals and beaches to the Aquarium or to Lovers’ Point in Pacific Grove. Photo was taken on Christmas break, at about 55* outside.

17. One of the Persian-Farsi barbeque picnics

18. Some classes have 3-day immersion activities. Students were interviewing a suspected terrorist.

19. Teachers preparing for role-playing activities. They all have Masters Degrees or higher.

20. Teachers preparing a feast of ethnic food for the immersion activity. Students often learn how to cook ethnic dishes for picnics too.

21. Final party after an immersion activity

22. Joint Language Training Exercises (JLTXs) are similar to immersion activities, but often are done outside.

23. JLTX on Soldier’s Field 2003

24. Students rotating between 8 JLTX stations.

25. Besides studying languages, students maintain Army skills at least weekly. The air-pistol range was just for fun behind the barracks.

26. There are always opportunities to volunteer, on or off post ….for example, we have a rifle drill team.

28. and hundreds of volunteers are needed for the annual Language Day.  Persian bazaar display

29. As a linguistic joke, the Croatian choir in 2004 called itself the “Smeli Hor”, which means “The Courageous Choir”.

30. Persian-Farsi students performed several authentic folk dances on Language Day.

31. There are many beautiful areas with hiking trails near the Presidio, such as Point Lobos.

32. There is also a lot to see and do near Big Sur and Carmel-By-the-Sea.

33. If you like to golf, there is a course at Fort Ord by the military housing area; or Pebble Beach is just 10 minutes away.