1. How are student SET codes determined?

By Military Articles and Services List (MASL) number, which is the number identifying student follow-on technical/academic training.

2. What determines which materials a student will study in Specialized English Training?

It’s determined by the follow-on training course the student is scheduled for (the MASL number), which determines the SET code number, which determines specific materials.

3. How many SET codes are there?

About 45, but the number can vary, as codes are activated/deactivated.

4. How many SET books are there?

About 80, but this, too, varies.

5. How are SET books identified and organized?

Each book is referred to as a module, with module numbering indicating specialty (e.g., Code 80 is Medical Terminology; Modules 801-805 are the medical modules). Each module (with a few exceptions) is a one-week, self-contained course of study with book quiz or Performance Evaluation as the final testing/evaluation method.

6. Where can I find SET codes and modules?

In the SET Code Curriculum Material Listing (SET CCML, colloquially referred to as the bible), which offers Code and Module listings and descriptions.

7. How long is a student in SET?

Typically 9 weeks, with 7 core weeks—consisting of materials related to the student’s specific code—plus an introductory and a final module which (almost) all students in SET take.

8. How are SET modules designed/developed?

We follow the Instructional Systems Development model. We consult with the follow-on training (FOT) sites to determine the language skills and requirements of the FOT course; then develop objectives for the module and select excerpts from FOT materials for inclusion into the module. We can summarize the process with the five words analysis, design, development, validation, and implementation.

9. What steps are included within the development phase?

We develop language activities, instructor and student texts, plus quizzes/performance evaluations and accompanying audiotapes, interactive courseware, and training aids.

10. Who is involved in the validation phase?

DLI instructors, students, and FOT instructors

11. What is OPSAV and what is its purpose?

OPSAV stands for Oral Proficiency Skills for Aviation Students. It’s a 25-week, the last nine weeks being SET, designed to help aviators improve their listening and speaking proficiency in American English so that they will be able to function safely and effectively in the flight training environment.

12. What are the objectives of OPSAV?

Objectives are to improve pronunciation, improve comprehension skills under adverse conditions, practice immediate oral response, practice speaking while task saturated, and improve overall English proficiency.

13. Who is scheduled for OPSAV?

Aviation students who have met their ECL requirements but have not met the required Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) rating.

14. What is the OPI and what is its purpose?

It's an oral interview (lasting about 40 minutes) which evaluates oral language skills and comprehension. Its main purpose is to evaluate the oral proficiency of those students (primarily aviators) going into high-risk training environments requiring instant and accurate comprehension and communication.

15. What is the PME course?

PME stands for Professional Military Education. This course is designed to address the language and academic skills that students attending various officer and war colleges need. The course focuses on formal presentation skills, speaking in a seminar setting, academic reading, and research paper preparation.

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