This memorandum provides the annual ECL, TOEFL, and OPI country exemption list. Exemption policy is based on the Defense English Language Program (DELP) data provided by the Military Departments' (MILDEP) Security Cooperation Training organizations and Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC) analysis.
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) students may be programmed for stand-alone General English Training (GET) at DLIELC. For IMET and FMF-funded students, stand-alone GET slots at DLIELC are available for request by waiver through DSCA. Waiver requests must be submitted to DSCA Strategy Directorate, Training Division (DSCA STR/TNG) for approval. Regardless of the funding source, DLIELC Specialized English Training (SET), Oral Proficiency Skills for Aviation (OPSAV) and Professional Military Education Preparation (PME prep) are not releasable as stand-alone English language courses and should not be requested without identifying the DoD-sponsored follow-on training (FOT) that the English language course will support. Additionally, if the ELT will be funded under a different funding source than the FOT's funding source, a waiver request must be submitted to DSCA for approval. The Defense Security Assistance Management System (DSAMS) will not show that the ELT is programmed in conjunction with FOT when two different funding sources or different FMS/FMF case funds are used.
Per SAMM section C10.10.3.3., regardless of the funding source, the ECL score required for entry into general ELT at DLIELC is 55. Requests to waive the 55 entry ECL must be submitted to the CCMD for endorsement and forwarding to DSCA STR/TNG for approval. The goal of ELT is to provide the IMS with the necessary English language skills to successfully complete training; to produce a graduate who possesses the necessary English language skills to participate reliably in U.S. or Partner Nation (PN) operations in the future; or to safely operate U.S.-provided hardware. Language waivers should be an exception to protect U.S. or PN lives and investments. These ECL and OPI exemptions are generally based on the majority of a country population's use of English as a first language. DSCA reserves the right to review the exemption list and the process for approval annually, adding or removing countries as country-specific student performances indicate.
ECL and OPI requirements are included in the Military Articles and Services Listing (MASL) for Security Cooperation-sponsored training, and are used as the basis for DLIELC training (class and duration). OPI requirements cited in MILDEP regulations or instructions must be coordinated with DLIELC prior to publication. Information on the ECL and OPI tests is available on the Defense Institute of Security Cooperation Studies (DISCS) International Training Management webpage under DLIELC or on the DLIELC webpage.
Proper pre-departure testing is the foundation of effective ELT programming. DSCA views proper programming as a risk avoidance and mitigation tool. To avoid wasting time, funding and goodwill, CCMDs should operate a robust in-country American Language Course Placement Test (ALCPT) program to accurately identify the candidates for subsequent ECL testing.
The CCMDs will send waiver requests to this policy memorandum to DSCA STR/TNG, and include all background information, justifications, and statement of impact if requests are denied. In the case of ECL and OPI waivers for IMSs attending DLIELC, DSCA will coordinate with the English Language Training Executive Agent, and DLIELC. For ECL/OPI waiver requests for direct entry to follow-on training (FOT), the CCMDs will submit the requests to the MILDEPs for consideration with the FOT schools.
Assessing your English language skills is crucial, especially for military personnel and individuals looking to demonstrate their language proficiency. The ALCPT test is a vital tool for evaluating your ability to understand and communicate effectively in English.
By takin