DLIFLC Globe Fall 2010 | Page 21

MLI of the Quarter Award Petty Officer 1 Eli Redstone (left), a Korean linguist in Asian School I, received the Military Language Instructor of the Quarter Award on June 8, for his outstanding performance and leadership. Each quarter, the Office of the Provost Sergeant Major at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center grants this award to outstanding MLIs. Among other achievements, Redstone delivered 67 hours of Korean language instruction to 125 multi-service personnel across eight teaching teams and coordinated six Joint Language Training Exercises at the DLIFLC immersion facility. MLIs not only participate in the immersion exercises, but also spend one to two nights at the facility, making sure that students stay on task and speak only the target language during their immersion. DLIFLC holds successful Language Day event By Natela Cutter, Strategic Communications PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. - The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center hosted more than 3,000 students, primarily from northern California high schools, during its annual Language Day open house May 14. Thirty-five cultural performances were presented by students and faculty, representing the 24 languages taught at the Institute. Cultural displays were set up in classrooms by faculty and DLIFLC students who welcomed visitors and explained the significance of learning foreign language and culture. “This was a great opportunity for DLI students to interact with high school students and explain to them what we do and why learning a foreign language and culture is so important. A lot of young people are not accustomed to such a variety of culture,” said Seaman Kenneth Wilkerson, who is studying Arabic. “The cultural displays from different countries were really interesting. It made me want to learn more about other countries,” said Kaitlyn Marrone, a Monterey High School freshman. More than 50 food and merchandise vendors participated in the event. Students were able to experience authentic international cuisines. “The food was really, really good,” added Marrone, with a smile. Next year’s Language Day is planned for May 13, 2011. 19