Diplomatic Language Services

Specialties

For more than 25 years, Diplomatic Language Services has been a leading language services provider to military and government agencies in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, throughout the U.S., and abroad.

DLS is one of the top language services companies serving the U.S. Federal Government and maintains training capabilities in over 85 different languages and dialects. The company has built a strong reputation for its custom-​tailored, intensive language training programs taught by highly trained, native-​speaker instructors, as well as for its premier quality in curriculum development. DLS serves large government agencies, including the Defense Language Institute (DLI), FBI, U.S. Air Force, Department of State, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and many others.

Our core capabilities includes:

Proficiency-​based Language Training of 80+ languages

Cultural Training

Curriculum Development

Translation /​Interpretation

Language Testing

Linguist & Instructor Placement

History

Established in 1985.

DLS was purchased by its current ownership in October 2006. In 2009, DLS was selected by the Army’s Defense Language Institute as their partner for the AFPAK Hands language program, a high profile critical language program overseen by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 2012, DLS expanded it’s main Arlington schoolhouse facility, just one block from the Rosslyn Metro, to more than 51,000 SF. In 2014, DLS opened a new training location in Elkridge, Maryland and a new training location in Herndon, Virginia.

Meet the Business Owner

Jim B.

Business Owner

Jim Bellas is an entrepreneur with more than 35 years experience launching and growing successful businesses in the retail industry. Jim acquired DLS in 2006, rescuing the business out of bankruptcy and immediately began turning the company around. Since 2006, he has nurtured the company’s growth, graduating it from a small business to large business, and expanding it from fewer than 50 employees, to more than 300. Jim Bellas received his BA from the University of Maryland.