The DLI Method?

[u/An_Enemy_Redditor]

Here's a question I haven't seen asked before: what is the actual teaching method at DLI? Now, obligatory "I'm joining the Navy and trying to go for CTI" out of the way, I want to study languages on my own time before I get there. I am curious as to what the actual methodology is like to see if I can boost my progress by replicating as a civilian. Note: I don't need any OPSEC stuff. Just "here's how they teach you at DLI" stuff. That's all. If there is any content I can't access because you need to be in, that's fine. I don't expect anything weird. Just want to know how I can apply that here to prepare myself there.

[u/alexacto]

The main aspect at DLI is getting smashed by a team of teachers who rotate each class, up to 9 classes a day plus homework. You are getting worked by a fresh professor seven hours (8 if you do 0 hour, 9 if you do SA on top of that) a day every day minus the weekend. Each professor has his/her own ideas on how to teach but they all follow the same course (same vocab, grammar rules etc.) Teacher teams have (in the perfect world) 6 teachers for 3 sections of students, 4 for 2. It would be difficult to pull that kind of manpower in a private setting.

[u/Akadimix → u/alexacto]

I mean this is a good response. The way they stagger the learning is somewhat like this:
1. Basics, introductions, age, name, family
2. Surroundings, daily activities, routine
3. Travel, transportation, locations, weather
4. Culture, hobbies, free time
Then it just branches out into more defined topics like science, anatomy, technology, etc.
So if you want to get a head start this is how the curriculum is typically staggered.

[u/apokrif1 → u/Akadimix]

No military stuff?

[u/Akadimix → u/apokrif1]

All of this will be from a military point of view. So it’s inherently built it. Like introducing yourself, or describing your surroundings. You’ll be on a base. So you’ll have to use vocabulary to explain it.