DD Form x560 Global Self Assessment

NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS (NLSC) PILOT
GLOBAL LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT

FOR NLSC USE ONLY:
CONTROL NUMBER

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 Pilot Records, DHRA 07.
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
(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.

Limited
Working
Proficiency

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.

D R A F T

(X as appropriate)

1

1+

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.

DD FORM 2934 TEST, 20090108 DRAFT

5

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NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS (NLSC) PILOT
GLOBAL LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT

FOR NLSC USE ONLY:
CONTROL NUMBER

2. Self-rating of writing proficiency in
(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+

I can handle routine social correspondence and write basic documentation on matters that address

Limited
Working
Proficiency

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

2

conventions, and people usually understand what I write even if they are not accustomed to nonnative
writing.

2+

D R A F T

I can produce effective writing in most formal and informal written exchanges on practical, social and

General
Professional
Proficiency

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

3

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.

3+

I can produce written language precisely and accurately in a variety of prose styles pertinent to

Advanced
Professional
Proficiency

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

4

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+

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

5

expressively and imaginatively without any pattern of errors.

DD FORM 2934 TEST, 20090108 DRAFT

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NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS (NLSC) PILOT
GLOBAL LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT

FOR NLSC USE ONLY:
CONTROL NUMBER

3. Self-rating of reading proficiency in
(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+

I can read simple written material in print on subjects I am familiar with. I am able to read

Limited
Working
Proficiency

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

2

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.

D R A F T

2+

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

General
Professional
Proficiency

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.

3

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.

3+

I can read nearly all styles and forms of the language pertinent to professional needs fluently and

Advanced
Professional
Proficiency

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

4

legal texts written for the general reader and documents from earlier periods containing archaic forms of
language.

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

5

speed and comprehension are equal to that of a well-educated native reader.

DD FORM 2934 TEST, 20090108 DRAFT

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FOR NLSC USE ONLY:
CONTROL NUMBER

NATIONAL LANGUAGE SERVICE CORPS (NLSC) PILOT
GLOBAL LANGUAGE SELF-ASSESSMENT
4. Self-rating of speaking proficiency in
(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+

I can handle informal conversations successfully. I can begin, continue, and bring to completion a

Limited
Working
Proficiency

variety of communication tasks. I can handle most everyday social conversation with some confidence,

2

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.

D R A F T

2+

I can participate effectively and with ease in both formal and informal conversations on abstract and

General
Professional
Proficiency

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,

3

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.

3+

I can speak the language fluently and accurately and with a high degree of effectiveness, reliability, and

Advanced
Professional
Proficiency

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

4

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+

I speak the language as well as a highly articulate, well-educated, native speaker. I can use the

Educated
Native
Proficiency

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,

5

colloquialisms, and pertinent cultural references. My pronunciation is consistent with that of an
educated native speaker of a standard dialect of the language.

DD FORM 2934 TEST, 20090108 DRAFT

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