| This study presents historical research to trace the roots and development of the program of Korean language instruction at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. The Defense Language Institute (DLI) is a major national foreign language institution, teaching more than 26 languages, managing supporting programs for linguists who have graduated from DLI, developing proficiency tests, and conducting research on foreign language education.; The purpose of the study was to assess strengths and weaknesses of the Korean program over a 10-year period, from 1985--1995, as one of the DLI programs, and to identify directions for further improvements. Using an analysis of problem areas, set against the historical context of the Institute and the Korean program, the study focused on competencies and attitudes of the faculty, on changing curricula utilized over the time period studied, and on the outcomes of instruction in the form of test scores of language competence. Data were drawn from official statistics and reports of the Institute, from interviews with staff, faculty and students, and from information provided by the administrators of the Defense Language Proficiency Test. The theoretical perspectives of Peter Senge were utilized in summative manner to provide a framework for strengthening the concept of the Defense Language Institute and the Korean program as learning organizations. Concepts of particular relevance to DLI are personal mastery, mental mode, shared vision, and team building.; The assessment of the Korean program suggests that overall, it is fulfilling its role in preparing linguists for work in Korea. The missions of DLI, to train, sustain, and evaluate, can be judged as met successfully on the basis of steady improvement in student language competence, measured by standardized testing (the Defense Language Proficiency Test) and on field evaluations of language maintenance in field circumstances. Recommendations include the continuing use of Senge's disciplines as theoretical guidance to DLI, continued development of the Defense Language Proficiency Test, and a continued emphasis on the team approach and problem-solving techniques in teaching. |
