C10.10.1. English Language Training (ELT). Training in U.S. military schools and installations is conducted in English, except for the U.S. Army’s Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), selected courses at the U.S. Army Aviation and Aviation Logistics School, the U.S. Air Force’s Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA), and most programs offered by the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS). International students must be able to understand, speak, read, and write English at a level of proficiency that enables them to successfully complete training.

C10.10.2. Responsibility for ELT. Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC), under the command of U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC), is responsible for operational and technical control of the Defense English Language Program (DELP), which encompasses all Department of Defense (DoD) English language programs or courses conducted for U.S. personnel or international students under the International Military Education and Training (IMET), Foreign Military Sales (FMS), and DoD-funded security cooperation (SC) programs worldwide.

C10.10.3. Minimum English Comprehension Level (ECL). The foreign country is responsible for ensuring that students meet the Implementing Agency (IA)-determined minimum ECL for attendance at a particular course of instruction. Most courses require a minimum ECL of 70. Higher level PME and management courses, or courses that are hazardous, require an 80 or higher ECL.

C10.10.3.1. Security Cooperation Office (SCOs) must test students from non-exempt countries for the minimum ECL prescribed by the IA for each course of instruction or for entry into DLIELC. Test materials to determine the ECL of selected candidates for U.S. training are provided annually by DLIELC, together with instructions for administering the test. SCOs must also schedule oral proficiency interviews (OPI) for students scheduled for flight and certain other training in accordance with DLIELC Instruction1025.9. The minimum ECL and OPI requirements for each course are listed in the Training Military Articles and Services List (T-MASL) which can be found in the Security Assistance Network which can be accessed by authorized users. SCOs receive certification to administer ECL testing from DLIELC.

C10.10.3.2. Course Prerequisites. Students must meet prerequisites for all scheduled training. The prerequisites are usually included in the T-MASL.

C10.10.3.3. Minimum English Comprehension Level (ECL) for Students Entering Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC). The minimum ECL score for entry into general ELT at DLIELC is 55, regardless of the training’s funding source. DSCA (Program Directorate), in consultation with the USAF A1DG (as the DoD Executive Agent for ELT and DLIELC), may grant a waiver to this requirement when justified by unusual circumstances, and, with the concurrence of the Combatant Command (CCMD), for IMET and other U.S. grant-funded students; or, with the concurrence from the SCO and MILDEP for FMS students. Waivers will set a specific time for elapse, and may be for individual students or groups of students supporting a particular country program. SCOs should encourage the host nation to increase their ELT to insure their IMSs are well above the minimum 55 ECL requirement. Training assistance may be purchased under the FMS program, or provided as authorized under the IMET or other USG-funded programs, by training of instructors at DLIELC, by providing English language Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) or Language Training Detachments (LTDs), or by providing appropriate ELT materials and equipment. Details on DLIELC, MTTs, and LTDs are included in the DLIELC website at www.dlielc.edu.

C10.10.3.4. Exemptions from all English Comprehension Level Testing Requirements for Education and Training Purposes. Certain countries whose students have consistently demonstrated an English speaking capability during training are exempt from all ECL testing requirements. This exemption does not apply to ECL testing requirements set for U.S.-sponsored exercises and competitions. An annual review by DLIELC, MILDEP training activities, and DSCA (Programs Directorate) determines if the exemption should continue. DSCA (Programs Directorate), in coordination with the DSCA (Strategy Directorate), confirms the exemption list each year and issues a memorandum to the training community. Students from exempt countries must continue to demonstrate successful English language performance during training or the exemption must be withdrawn.

C10.10.3.5. Exemptions from In-Country English Comprehension Level Testing for Direct Entry into Training. Certain countries whose students demonstrate an English speaking capability are exempt from in-country ECL testing prior to direct entry into non-ELT training. Students from exempt countries are ECL tested at the first training installation. An annual review determines if the exemption should continue. DSCA (Programs Directorate) confirms the exemption list each year by message. Students from exempt countries must continue to demonstrate successful English language performance during training or the exemption must be withdrawn.

C10.10.3.6. Waiver to Course Minimum English Comprehesion Level Requirement. Requests for waivers to minimum course ECL prerequisites for follow-on training (FOT) or Direct Entry Training are made to the IA by the SCO through the CCMD, in coordination with the training unit.

C10.10.3.7. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). SCOs are authorized to program the cost of the TOEFL under IMET and CTFP when it is required for entrance into approved degree-granting military undergraduate or graduate training programs. IMET and CTFP do not fund the prospective students’ travel cost to the testing site.

C10.10.3.8. Specialized English Training (SET). Attendance at SET is required when general ECL requirements have been met and the IA determines (based on school house recommendation) that exceptional fluency or specialized vocabularies are essential to safety or effective participation in the course of instruction. For Senior PME courses, “SET Required” is programmed by exception as needed. Students must meet the highest level of the required ECLs, and if applicable, the OPI requirement(s) for their follow-on training (FOT) courses before they are entered into their SET portion of their courses – even if in specific cases the ECL and/or OPI requirement(s) have been waived by the FOT. If a waiver is desired to enter SET without the required ECL and OPI qualifications, a request must be submitted by the SCO or MILDEP to AF/A1DG with FOT concurrence.

C10.10.3.9. Conduct of English Language Training by Other Than DLIELC. All IMET-funded ELT must be conducted by DLIELC. Other SC-sponsored ELT is also conducted by DLIELC unless justified for other ELT arrangements. For FMS cases, with agreement between the IA, AF/A1DG and its command authorities, and DSCA, ELT may be conducted via contracted training, with DLIELC oversight. If DSCA (Programs Directorate) agrees, this training applies to the scope of the proposed ELT program, potentially including SET. Case changes to increase student load or extend the duration of the ELT program require a revised request to DSCA. For LOAs and other SC programs, MILDEP’s requests include the information contained in C10.T10.

Table C10.T10. Information Required for a Decision on the Conduct of English Language Training (ELT) by Other than the Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC)

C10.10.3.10. Direct Entry ECL Failure Forfeiture Charge. A forfeiture charge is imposed in all instances when direct entry students fail to achieve the prerequisite ECL on the CONUS course entry ECL test and when failure results in rescheduling or cancellation of direct entry training due to language deficiency. This policy applies to all direct entry students, including those from countries granted a waiver from the in-country ECL testing.

C10.10.3.11. English Language Training Materials (ELTM). Textbooks, testing materials, training aids, interactive multimedia (CDs/DVDs), and publications used to establish and/or support in-country ELT programs may be acquired under the IMET program, other SC programs, or purchased through FMS procedures. A factor of 50% of the cost of the materials ordered is programmed for air shipping transportation costs. EMTL can be shipped by ground transportation if specified by the country.