SRI LANKA: FY2005 POST LANGUAGE PROGRAM DIRECT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001747 SIPDIS FSI/SLS FOR ILDIKO COSSICH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AFSI AMGT CE KFLO SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: FY2005 POST LANGUAGE PROGRAM DIRECT FUNDING PROPOSAL REF: SECSTATE 204142 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. Embassy Colombo requests a FY2005 direct funding grant of USD 9,487 for comprehensive language training programs in Sinhala and Tamil. Post proposes a program utilizing Saturday excursion courses for students at various levels, language instruction for Marine Security Guards (MSGs),language immersion opportunities for officers with language designated positions, and procurement of language instruction materials. The program will enable 32 DOS American employees, eligible DOS family members (EFMs), and MSGs to better integrate into the local community, maximize job performance, and improve cultural awareness and sensitivity. This proposal augments Embassy Colombo,s existing language instruction program by offering more flexible training options for a wider audience within the Embassy community. END SUMMARY. Saturday Excursion Language Instruction -------------- ¶2. (U) Post proposes theme-based Saturday excursion language classes for a variety of audiences. Each three-hour excursion class would begin with an hour of group classroom instruction and a two-hour field trip around Colombo immediately thereafter. Language instructors will debrief students at the end of the field trip. These excursions will provide participants with a number of important benefits including: learning practical vocabulary, increased confidence in handling real-life, practical situations, and increasing comfort levels in host country. ¶3. (U) Target audiences: a) DOS American Employees, DOS EFMs, MSGs at the beginning level; b) DOS American Employees, DOS EFMs, MSGs at the intermediate level; c) Language-designated officers and others at or near the 2/1 level. ¶4. (U) Saturday language instruction excursion classes will be drawn from the following proposed themes: a) Asking directions: directional vocabulary, physical markers, public transportation survival phrases, followed by scavenger hunt in Colombo b) Marketing I - vegetable market: produce vocabulary, numbers, weights and measures, followed by field trip to Colpetty Market c) Marketing II - fish market: fish and bargaining vocabulary, followed by field trip to fish market d) Emergencies: emergency vocabulary, asking for help followed by field trip to police station or hospital e) Religion: etiquette for Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian places of worship; followed by field trip f) Cooking: food preparation vocabulary, followed by cooking demonstration g) Restaurant: food, ordering, and manners vocabulary, followed by restaurant visit h) Holidays: Sinhala and Tamil New Year traditions and vocabulary, followed by field trip i) Perahera (Sinhala) and Deepavali (Tamil) holidays: specific vocabulary and traditions, followed by field Trip ¶5. (U) Cost of Excursions: Six excursions for the beginning audience with two instructors at USD 100 each, six excursions for the intermediate audience with one instructor at USD 60 each, and six excursions for the advanced audience with one instructor at USD 60 each. Instructor costs are USD 10 per hour. Total cost, including transport, is USD 1,320. MSG Group Language Courses -------------- ¶6. (U) Embassy Colombo would like to offer in-house language training for the MSG Detachment. Combining self-study and two hours classroom instruction several times a month, we hope to enhance job performance and the enjoyment of living in Colombo through increased confidence in using Sinhala or Tamil. Due to the MSGs' unusual work hours, these classes will be held at the Marine House. Several field trips in Colombo will be incorporated into the program. We intend to offer three two-hour sessions per month throughout the year at a cost of approximately USD 20 per session. Marines would also be able to attend immersion field trips detailed above in our proposal. Total cost for 36 sessions would be USD 720. Immersion for Language-Designated Officers and Others -------------- -------------- ¶7. (U) Post believes immersion opportunities for officers in language)designated positions and other officers at the 2/1 level are important tools to consolidate language learning and allow language-designated officers to be more effective. Post proposes a two-week immersion program at the beginning of each language-designated officer,s tour. Post will work with language instructors to find suitable homestay locations for students. Officers will receive four hours a day of instruction, as well as several hours of guidance while visiting cultural sights and learning local customs. Post will pay transport costs for officers. Total cost per officer: USD 640. Post has four language-designated officers and one officer at or close to the 2/1 level. Total cost for five officers: USD 3,200. Teaching Resources -------------- ¶8. (U) In order to enhance our students' language learning experience, we request funds to procure materials for language instruction at Post. Please note that Sinhala to English and Sri Lankan Tamil to English teaching materials are not readily available. Post currently uses materials more than 30 years old which feature outdated pedagogy not useful to instructors or students. Post would like to commission beginning Sinhala and (Sri Lankan, not Indian) Tamil written instructional materials at a cost of USD 2,000 each. These resources will benefit current and future students for years to come, and could also be shared with FSI language instructors. Total cost USD 4,000. ¶9. (U) Post would like to procure materials needed for the language instruction room to view news broadcasts and Sinhala and Tamil language films: Video-cassette or DVD player : USD 132. Television (21-inch) : USD 255. Tamil-English and Sinhala-English dictionaries USD 100 Total cost for teaching resources USD 4,487. Budget Summary -------------- ¶10. (U) For USD 9,487, Embassy Colombo can significantly improve its local language communication skills in two languages for DOS American employees, DOS eligible family members (EFMs),and MSGs. Saturday Excursion Language Instruction: USD 1,320 MSG Group Language Courses: USD 480 Immersion for Language-Designated Officers and Others: USD 3,200 Teaching Resources: USD 4,487 ¶11. (U) Embassy Colombo appreciates the opportunity to submit this proposal for FSI,s Post Language Program Direct Funding Initiative, and looks forward to FSI,s favorable consideration. Post Language Officer is Cody Taylor, who can be reached at telephone number (94) (11) 247-2855, fax number (94) (11) 247-1092, or by e-mail: taylorc2@state.gov. LUNSTEAD