Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT124
2009-01-26 12:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: INL-FUNDED ENGLISH CLASS BRINGS
how-toVZCZCXRO5547 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDIR RUEHIK RUEHKUK RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0124 0261244 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 261244Z JAN 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2207 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4747 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 2995 RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000124
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INL-FUNDED ENGLISH CLASS BRINGS
OFFICIALS OUT OF THEIR SHELLS
REF: ASHGABAT 097
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000124
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INL-FUNDED ENGLISH CLASS BRINGS
OFFICIALS OUT OF THEIR SHELLS
REF: ASHGABAT 097
1. Post's INL Officer (Poloff) dropped in for the latter
portion of the INL-funded English Language Training (ELT)
Center's thrice-weekly language course on January 23. A
local EFL instructor teaches a group of 12 mid-level law
enforcement officials from several Turkmen government
ministries, including the State Counter Narcotics Service,
Migration Service, Ministry of the Interior, and MFA.
Another instructor also teaches a separate beginning course
for officials three mornings a week. The ten-month course
traditionally culminates in a UK study tour for three or four
of the best performing students (Reftel).
2. The students were anxious to practice their English
skills with Poloff, and after a series of introductions,
asked a variety of questions on topics ranging from the U.S.
presidential elections, Poloff's prior Foreign Service
postings, and American versus British English usage. The
class had a relaxed atmosphere, and the students were
interested and engaged. When Poloff offered up a new
colloquial expression,"TGIF," which was unfamiliar to all,
including the instructor, the students commented that Fridays
in Turkmenistan lack the same significance, saying, "We all
have to work on Saturdays, and sometimes even on Sundays."
3. COMMENT: In a country where Embassy officers normally
have limited contact with government officials, who tend to
shy away from Embassy receptions and events, and where
meetings can only be arranged via diplomatic note, the ELT
courses offer a new avenue for interfacing with young Turkmen
officials. Poloff plans to have similar meetings with the
language students during the course of the program. END
COMMENT.
MILES
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND INL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INL-FUNDED ENGLISH CLASS BRINGS
OFFICIALS OUT OF THEIR SHELLS
REF: ASHGABAT 097
1. Post's INL Officer (Poloff) dropped in for the latter
portion of the INL-funded English Language Training (ELT)
Center's thrice-weekly language course on January 23. A
local EFL instructor teaches a group of 12 mid-level law
enforcement officials from several Turkmen government
ministries, including the State Counter Narcotics Service,
Migration Service, Ministry of the Interior, and MFA.
Another instructor also teaches a separate beginning course
for officials three mornings a week. The ten-month course
traditionally culminates in a UK study tour for three or four
of the best performing students (Reftel).
2. The students were anxious to practice their English
skills with Poloff, and after a series of introductions,
asked a variety of questions on topics ranging from the U.S.
presidential elections, Poloff's prior Foreign Service
postings, and American versus British English usage. The
class had a relaxed atmosphere, and the students were
interested and engaged. When Poloff offered up a new
colloquial expression,"TGIF," which was unfamiliar to all,
including the instructor, the students commented that Fridays
in Turkmenistan lack the same significance, saying, "We all
have to work on Saturdays, and sometimes even on Sundays."
3. COMMENT: In a country where Embassy officers normally
have limited contact with government officials, who tend to
shy away from Embassy receptions and events, and where
meetings can only be arranged via diplomatic note, the ELT
courses offer a new avenue for interfacing with young Turkmen
officials. Poloff plans to have similar meetings with the
language students during the course of the program. END
COMMENT.
MILES