DD Form x560 Global Self Assessment

FOR NLSC USE ONLY:
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NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS (NLSC) PILOT
GLOBAL LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

AUTHORITY: 5 U.S.C. 301, Departmental Regulations; 10 U.S.C. 131, Office of the Secretary of Defense; DoD Directive 5124.2, Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness; 50 U.S.C. 403-1b, War and National Defense; Public Law 109-364, Sec. 944, Administration of Pilot Project on Civilian Linguist Reserve Corps;
and Public Law 108-487, Sec. 613, Pilot Project on Civilian Linguist Reserve Corps. The OSD System of Records Notice name and number for this collection is National
Language Service Corps (NLSC) Pilot, DHRA 05.
PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): To allow U.S. citizens aged 18 years and older with language and special skills to self-identify these skills by completing NLSC Self
Assessments as an initial indicator of language proficiency. Those selected for activation and deployment will be officially tested to validate NLSC Self Assessment skills.
The information collected will be used to identify and contact NLSC Charter Members and prospective Charter Members in times of need. The collection will allow
preliminary background checks prior to any final appointment in the NLSC of only those individuals the NLSC expects to employ temporarily during the Pilot program.
Background checks are not expected for the remaining Charter Members.
ROUTINE USE(S): To Federal Government agencies requesting language support to facilitate U.S. efforts on the war on terrorism or in furtherance of national security
objectives. The DoD "Blanket Routine Uses" set forth at the beginning of OSD's compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system.
DISCLOSURE: Voluntary. However, failure to provide information may result in non-enrollment in the NLSC Pilot, and refusal to grant access to Charter Member areas of
the NLSC Pilot Internet portal.

1. Self-rating of listening proficiency in
(Name of NLSC target language)

INSTRUCTIONS
Read and consider the following five descriptions of listening proficiency (numbered 1 through 5, including 1+ through 4+).
Afterwards, decide which description most accurately represents your overall listening proficiency in the language named above. If
your language proficiency is substantially better than one level but not consistently as good as the next higher level, select the
appropriate "plus" level.

Elementary
Proficiency

When I engage in simple face-to-face conversations on familiar topics, I often
misunderstand people, but I am able to ask them to slow down and repeat what they say.
Within those limitations, I can understand them when they talk about basic survival needs
such as getting a meal, obtaining a place to stay, getting directions and other travel-related
information so long as the person is speaking more clearly than normal at a rate slower than
normal, with frequent repetitions or rewording.

NEEDS DD 67

Limited
Working
Proficiency

(X as appropriate)

1

1+

I can understand face-to-face speech in standard pronunciation spoken at a normal pace,
with some repetition and rewording even when spoken by a native speaker who is not used
to speaking to people with limited proficiency in this language. I can understand speech
dealing with everyday topics, common personal and family news, well-known current events,
and routine work matters. I can understand descriptions of different places and discussions
about past, current, and future events. I can follow the essential points of the average
discussion on work-related topics in my field. I can understand the facts, such as reported
in news broadcasts, but I do not grasp deeper/hidden meanings or implications expressed
through more complex language.

2

2+

General
Professional
Proficiency

I can understand the essentials of all speech in standard pronunciation, including
discussions within my field of interest or specialization. I can follow accurately the essentials
of conversations between educated native speakers of the language, reasonably clear
telephone calls, radio broadcasts, news stories, oral reports, some oral technical reports,
and public presentations on non-technical subjects. I can infer meanings that are not
directly stated. I have trouble understanding native speakers if they speak very quickly or
use dialect or slang.

3

3+

Advanced
Professional
Proficiency

I can understand all forms and styles of speech pertinent to my social and professional
needs. This includes speech involving extensive and precise vocabulary, subtleties and
nuances in standard dialects of the language, and technical discussion on professional
topics within the range of my knowledge. I can understand language tailored to different
audiences and purposes, including persuasion, representation, counseling, and negotiating.
I can readily infer meanings and implications. I can easily understand all social
conversations, radio broadcasts, and phone calls. I may experience some difficulty
understanding speech heard under unfavorable conditions, such as through a poor quality
loudspeaker or radio or in a noisy room.

4

4+
Educated
Native
Proficiency

I can fully understand educated and academic speech, abstract and professional
discussions, regional dialects, highly colloquial speech, jokes and puns, and speech in noisy
places or heard under unfavorable acoustic conditions. My comprehension of the language
is fully equivalent to that of a well-educated native speaker.

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NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS (NLSC) PILOT
GLOBAL LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT
2. Self-rating of writing proficiency in
(Name of NLSC target language)

INSTRUCTIONS
Read and consider the following five descriptions of writing proficiency (numbered 1 through 5, including 1+ through 4+). Afterwards,
decide which description most accurately represents your overall writing proficiency in the language named above. If your language
proficiency is substantially better than one level but not consistently as good as the next higher level, select the appropriate "plus"
level.
(X as appropriate)

Elementary
Proficiency

I can handle limited everyday needs by writing simple statements and questions on very
familiar topics. For example, I can write down simple phone messages, excuses, notes to
service people and simple notes to friends. My vocabulary is very limited, and I make a lot
of grammatical errors, but someone who is used to dealing with a nonnative writer can
understand most of my simple ideas.

1

1+

Limited
Working
Proficiency

I can handle routine social correspondence and write basic documentation on matters that
address most limited work requirements. I can produce simple written texts about a very
limited number of current events or daily situations. I am able to control most common
formats and punctuation conventions, and people usually understand what I write even if
they are not accustomed to nonnative writing.

NEEDS DD 67
General
Professional
Proficiency

I can produce effective writing in most formal and informal written exchanges on practical,
social and professional topics. The types of writing I can produce competently include
reports, summaries, and short library research papers on current events, on particular areas
of interest or on special fields. I can use complex sentences appropriately, and I control
most common grammatical structures. As a result, I am also able to connect different ideas
in clear ways.

2

2+

3

3+

Advanced
Professional
Proficiency

I can produce written language precisely and accurately in a variety of prose styles pertinent
to professional and educational needs. I am comfortable enough with grammar and writing
conventions to be able to tailor what I write to suit particular audiences and to express
subtleties and nuances. I can produce clear and well-organized prose using a variety of
organizational patterns and cohesive devices such as ellipses, parallelisms, and
subordination. I can write on all topics normally pertinent to professional and educational
needs and on social issues of a general nature.

4

4+

Educated
Native
Proficiency

My writing proficiency is equal to that of a well educated native. I can write and edit informal
and formal correspondence, official reports and documents, and professional/educational
articles. I can produce or edit different genres of writing including legal, technical,
educational and literary writing. I can write expressively and imaginatively without any
pattern of errors.

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FOR NLSC USE ONLY:
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NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS (NLSC) PILOT
GLOBAL LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT
3. Self-rating of reading proficiency in
(Name of NLSC target language)

INSTRUCTIONS
Read and consider the following five descriptions of reading proficiency (numbered 1 through 5, including 1+ through 4+). Afterwards,
decide which description most accurately represents your overall reading proficiency in the language named above. If your language
proficiency is substantially better than one level but not consistently as good as the next higher level, select the appropriate "plus"
level.
(X as appropriate)

Elementary
Proficiency

I am able to read very simple text that is printed clearly with normal-style letters. For
example, I can read and understand descriptions of persons, places or things. I can also
understand written explanations of geography and government such as those simplified for
tourists, though I sometimes misinterpret what I read. When looking at more complex texts,
I can only get some main ideas and locate prominent information or subject matter.

1

1+

Limited
Working
Proficiency

I can read simple written material in print on subjects I am familiar with. I am able to read
straightforward, familiar and factual material with only some misunderstandings. I can locate
the main ideas and details in material written for the general public. I can read
uncomplicated prose on familiar subjects. I can generally comprehend most news articles
involving description or narration of current events, travel, food, and music. I can also
comprehend simple biographies, social notices, personal correspondence, routine business
letters, and simple technical material written for the general public.

NEEDS DD 67
General
Professional
Proficiency

I can read a variety of materials on unfamiliar subjects with normal speed and almost
complete comprehension. I can fully understand news stories or international news items in
magazines, routine correspondence, editorials, and general reports. I can understand
technical reports and other materials in my field of specialization even when they include
hypothesis, argumentation, and supported opinions. I can read and comprehend literature,
including short stories, novels, and plays. I can usually read between the lines, if necessary.
I rarely have to reread general vocabulary; however, I may have some difficulty with
unusually complex structures or low frequency idioms.

2

2+

3

3+

Advanced
Professional
Proficiency

I can read nearly all styles and forms of the language pertinent to professional needs fluently
and accurately. I can readily follow unpredictable turns of thought and author intent in such
materials as sophisticated editorials, specialized journal articles, professional documents,
and complex literary texts, as well as any subject directed toward the nonspecialized reader.
I can also read legal documents and legal texts written for the general reader and
documents from earlier periods containing archaic forms of language.

4

4+

Educated
Native
Proficiency

I can fully understand extremely difficult and abstract prose, including general legal and
technical material, as well as contemporary and classical literature. I can read classical or
archaic forms of writing as well as a well-educated native. I can read a wide variety of
handwritten documents. My speed and comprehension are equal to that of a well-educated
native reader.

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FOR NLSC USE ONLY:
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NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS (NLSC) PILOT
GLOBAL LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT
4. Self-rating of speaking proficiency in
(Name of NLSC target language)

INSTRUCTIONS
Read and consider the following five descriptions of speaking proficiency (numbered 1 through 5, including 1+ through 4+).
Afterwards, decide which description most accurately represents your overall speaking proficiency in the language named above.
If your language proficiency is substantially better than one level but not consistently as good as the next higher level, select the
appropriate "plus" level.
(X as appropriate)

Elementary
Proficiency

I can engage in simple face-to-face conversations on familiar topics. People often
misunderstand me, but I am able to make myself understood to people used to dealing with
nonnative speakers by repeating myself. I have a very simple vocabulary and make a lot of
grammatical errors, but I am able to take care of a lot of survival needs such as greeting
people, introducing people, telling people about myself, and asking for basic information
about hours of operation, how much things cost, simple directions to destinations, etc.

1

1+

Limited
Working
Proficiency

I can handle informal conversations successfully. I can begin, continue, and bring to
completion a variety of communication tasks. I can handle most everyday social
conversation with some confidence, but not with ease, including casual conversations about
current events, work, family, and autobiographical information. I can describe events
occurring in the past, present, and future. I have control of everyday vocabulary sufficient to
discuss general topics of a concrete nature.

NEEDS DD 67
General
Professional
Proficiency

I can participate effectively and with ease in both formal and informal conversations on
abstract and professional topics as well as practical and social topics. I can discuss my
particular interests and fields of competence with ease. In conversation, I can answer
objections, clarify points, justify decisions, state and defend policy, or give a briefing. I show
some breadth of vocabulary. I make occasional errors with low frequency and complex
language, but these almost never impede communication.

2

2+

3

3+

Advanced
Professional
Proficiency

I can speak the language fluently and accurately and with a high degree of effectiveness,
reliability, and precision for all purposes within the range of my personal and professional
experience and scope of responsibilities, even when communicating in sophisticated and
demanding conversations. I can communicate effectively with varied audiences, purposes,
tasks and settings. If a nonnative speaker, I may exhibit a slight foreign accent, although
this never disturbs the native listener.

4

4+

Educated
Native
Proficiency

I speak the language as well as a highly articulate, well-educated, native speaker. I can use
the language with complete flexibility and intuition, so that my speech on all levels is fully
accepted by, and equivalent to, a well-educated native speaker in all of its features,
including breadth of vocabulary, colloquialisms, and pertinent cultural references. My
pronunciation is consistent with that of an educated native speaker of a standard dialect of
the language.

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