US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1747

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