POST LANGUAGE PROGRAM DIRECT FUNDING INITIATIVE PROPOSAL

UNCLAS VATICAN 000526 SIPDIS SIPDIS FSINFATC FOR FSI/SLS/CTT ILDIKO WATKINS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AFSI AMGT KFLO VT SUBJECT: POST LANGUAGE PROGRAM DIRECT FUNDING INITIATIVE PROPOSAL REF: SECSTATE 166935 ¶1. Post Language Officer and POC: Fleur Cowan, CowanFS@state.gov, Tel: 0039-06-4674-3439 Fax: 0039-06-575-8346 ¶2. Description of proposed program and budget: Language school weekends: Italian language schools, with their flexible and tailored curriculum, (such as Il Sasso in Montepulciano used in FY05) provide students and Eligible Family Members the opportunity to spend a long weekend building on FSI training in a total immersion environment. Due to the huge success of these language school weekends, we are requesting a significant increase for FY06 as we have a new Ambassador and three other direct hire staff arriving with varying levels of Italian. Language immersion field trips: Rome and its surrounding provinces provide a wealth of opportunity for educational field trips. Past immersion field trips have included guided tours by professional archaeologists of underground Rome, museum visits, and agri-tourism visits. These trips enhance conversational ability, specialized vocabulary and cultural knowledge of the country we live in. Both of the above programs have proved successful in the past, and are strongly supported by staff and EFMs. Italian language schools and field trips support and supplement Post's program of language classes. The FSI funding has given staff the opportunity to get out of the classroom and hone their Italian skills in a language intensive environment. ¶3. Budget request: USD 4,570.00 Language immersion field trips: - One 2-3 hour immersion field trip for 6-8 people at USD 250.00. - TOTAL: USD 250.00 - Language school long weekends (24 hours instruction) for four new staff. Language school instructors' hourly rates vary between USD 35.00-45.00. - APPROX TOTAL for 96 hours: USD 4,320.00 ¶4. Funding budgeted for foreign language training in post allotments: FY05 USD 27,000.00 SANDROLINI