Annexure 13: School of Foreign Language

The School of Foreign Languages (SFL), in the Ministry of defence has been in the existence for over four decades. Founded in 1449, the Scholl has done pioneering work in foreign language teaching in India. This is the only Government Institution teaching as many as ten foreign languages to officers of the three services of the Indian Armed forces. It also caters to the need of different ministries. At present, SFL offers course in some of the major languages of the world, viz., Arabic Bahasa-Indonesia, Burmese, Chinese, French German Russian, Sinhala, Spanish and Tibetan. It is also responsible for framing the standard and syllabi for the ministry of External Affairs, National Defence Academy (Pune), Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), and the Army Education Centre and Training College (Pachmari).

It conducts their examinations and issues diplomas to the successful candidates. For Indian Foreign Service (IFS)probationers, it is obligatory to pass the advanced Diploma (IFS) examination conducted by SFL. Regimental Languages Tests are also conducted by school. At Present the courses offered in the scholar (a) Certificate of Proficiency (cCOP) of one year's duration for students who have completed the above mentioned preliminary COP. This is considered to be equivalent to the existing three year Diploma Courses of Universities, and (c) Interpretership Course and Intensive full time course to train the officer-students to become proficient in the highly skilled work of interpretation in selected foreign languages. The School also admits private candidates depending on their suitability and availability of seats.