History of DLIELC
Since 1954, the Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC) performed its mission to support the policies and objectives of the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Established as the U.S. Air Force Language School, our primary mission was to teach English to Allied pilot candidates. In 1966, our mission expanded to include a wide range of career fields, reflecting the evolving needs of our students. Our transformation took shape in 1976 when the United States Air Force became the executive agent and in 1993, we inaugurated our modern campus at JBSA-Lackland, Texas. We provide a comprehensive learning environment which features the campus headquarters and academics facilities, a library, dining hall, officer and enlisted quarters, and student administration buildings. With small, technology-enhanced classrooms, our instruction is student-centered for tailored learning experiences. In addition, the DLIELC curriculum is designed to meet the diverse language needs of military professionals, providing specialized courses that align with the specific language requirements of their career fields. The mission of English language training has had a place on Joint Base San Antonio Lackland since 1954 with the activation of the 3746th Pre-Flight Training Squadron. The Defense Language Institute English Language School (later ‘Center’) assumed the mantle of English language training in July of 1966 and performed its mission to support the policies and objectives of the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) with the primary mission teaching English to Allied pilot candidates. By the late 1960’s, our mission expanded to include a wide range of career fields, reflecting the evolving needs of our students.
Since 1954, the Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC) has proudly served to support the policies and objectives of the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). From its origins as the U.S. Air Force Language School, primarily focused on teaching English to Allied pilot candidates, DLIELC has continuously evolved to meet the growing and changing needs of the DoD. This commitment to progress led to a pivotal moment in 1993 with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art campus at JBSA-Lackland, Texas.
Today, DLIELC boasts a comprehensive learning environment featuring modern academic facilities, a well-equipped library, dedicated dining hall, comfortable officer and enlisted quarters, and efficient student administration buildings. Small, technology-enhanced classrooms facilitate student-centered learning experiences, while a robust and adaptable curriculum ensures each course aligns with the specific language requirements of our international military professionals' diverse career fields.