VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKU #1572 3051100
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011100Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0213

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001572 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR FSI/SLS/CTT (ILDIKO WATKINS) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AFSI AMGT KFLO KU
SUBJECT: EMBASSY KUWAIT'S FY08 POST LANGUAGE DIRECT FUNDING 
REQUEST 
 
REF: STATE 138169 
 
¶1.  Summary: As part of our continued focus on language training, 
Embassy Kuwait requests $30,500 from FSI's Direct Funding Initiative 
for our FY08 Post Language Program (PLP).  Thanks to FSI's FY07 
funding, we formed Arabic language classes at the 0 through 2 
proficiency levels in addition to a 3/beyond-3 course.  We intend to 
maintain all classes in FY08 given the sustained interest from 
American direct hire employees and eligible family members (EFMs) 
mission-wide.  Our PLP goals are to enhance the proficiency and 
productivity of language-designated position (LDP) staff and to 
assist non-LDP personnel and adult EFMs to attain courtesy level 
language skills.  End summary. 
 
Program Description 
------------------- 
 
¶2.  Instruction: All of our interested Arabic LDP staff, many of 
whom participated in FSI training, are off language probation and 
want to use the PLP to enhance their proficiency, specifically in 
job-specific vocabulary, while increasing their professional and 
social integration into Arabic-speaking communities in Kuwait.  In 
FY06, we launched a 3/beyond-3 class for LDP students.  Post 
restarted the class in FY07 after contractual problems had 
necessitated in a temporary suspension of the class.  Participation 
was excellent and students were very pleased.  The level 2 course is 
aimed at LDP staff who use Arabic on a regular basis professionally. 
 Level 1 students are primarily non-LDP direct hires.  Level 0 is 
geared toward EFMs and non-LDP specialists.  The level 0 course is 
extremely popular and at one point we had to open two sections of 
the class.  This attests to the fact that language funding is being 
well used at Embassy Kuwait.  We also conduct separate level 0 
training for the Marine Security Guards, which is funded by the 
detachment. 
 
¶3.  Guided study: We have a language library thanks to past funding. 
 We intend to purchase additional materials to bolster our offerings 
for Arabic (focusing on Gulf dialect).  We will use FSI 
bibliographies as a guide when selecting language materials. 
 
Budget 
------ 
 
¶4.  Instruction: We propose two hours of instruction weekly for each 
of the four levels (0, 1, 2 and 3/beyond-3), which would run for 40 
weeks (factoring in vacation, holidays and the month of Ramadan). 
In the past year, participation has been so high that we have run 
two sections of the 0 and 2 levels at various times.  Therefore, we 
need to budget for five two-hour classes.  Based on local market 
conditions and past experience hiring language instructors, we 
expect the FY07 hourly wage to be $75 per classroom hour.  (Note: 
teachers in Kuwait charge for class preparation.  These fees are 
accounted for in the $75 figure.  End Note.)  Therefore, our request 
for annual Arabic instruction is $30,000 (2 hours x 5 classes x 40 
weeks x $75). 
 
¶5.  Guided study: For the one-time purchase of Arabic dialect 
self-instruction materials to be used for several years, we request 
$500. 
 
¶6.  Total: Our grand total FY08 funding request is $30,500.  Past 
experience has shown that classroom experience is very popular 
whereas other activities are less popular.  Our total budget request 
is actually lower than it was in FY07 because it is more strictly 
targeted at the programs that have worked effectively here. 
 
Post-Funded PLP Training 
------------------------ 
 
¶7.  We received no PLP funding from the bureau in FY06 or FY07. 
 
Contact Information 
------------------- 
 
¶8.  The current Post Language Officer (PLO), Mark Rosenshield, will 
depart post soon.  Post will identify a new PLO soon and provide 
contact details.