Foreign Service Institute Course Information The Foreign Service Institute has developed a series of language-learning courses for use by the state department and other government agencies. These courses have been developed, tested by use, and improved over a period of many years. Working with the Departments of Defense, Education, other government agencies, and various universities, the FSI has created the largest body of complete courses for languages of the world available anywhere.
NEW!
Course Books Sold Individually Courses by Region: Middle East - African - Asian - European - ESL
Course Books For those of you who have purchased an FSI Course and want to purchase a new copy of the textbook, or for those who simply wish to work through the course without the audio components, we offer the books separately, all for the same price of $65. $65 Amharic Basic 1 Amharic Basic 2 Arabic Basic (Saudi) Levantine Arabic (Introduction to Pronunciation) Modern Written Arabic 1 Modern Written Arabic 2 Bulgarian Basic 1 Bulgarian Basic 2 Cambodian (Khmer) Basic 1 Cambodian (Khmer) Basic 2 Cantonese Basic 1 Cantonese Basic 2 Chinyanja Czech (Fast Course) Estonian Basic Finnish (Conversational) Finnish (Graded Reader) French 1 French 2 French 3 French 4 German 1 German 2 Greek 1 Greek 2 Greek 3 Hausa Basic Hebrew Basic Hungarian Basic 1 Hungarian Basic 2 Igbo Basic Programmatic Italian 1 Kirundi Basic Kituba Basic Korean Basic 1 Korean Basic 2 Luganda Basic Course More Basic Course Headstart Philipino Programmatic Portuguese 1 Programmatic Portuguese 2 Serbo-Croatian Basic 1 Serbo-Croatian Basic 2 Shona Basic Course Sinhalese Basic Programmatic Spanish 1 Programmatic Spanish 2 Spanish Basic 3 Spanish Basic 4 Swahili Basic Course Swedish Basic Course Thai Basic 1 Thai Basic 2 Turkish Basic 1 Turkish Basic 2 Twi Basic Vietnamese 1 Vietnamese 2 Yoruba Basic
Levantine Arabic (Introduction to Pronunciation) Levantine Arabic is a dialect spoken by educated Palestinians who have been long-term residents of Beirut. This dialect is mutually intelligible with most urban dialects of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine; the course is also useful for other dialects spoken from Iraq through North Africa. The material is arranged into 19 sections, which are ordered so as to take students from what they know or have learned into new material. 6 tapes (app. 9.5 hrs) and book. $225
Multilingual Books FSI Hebrew Basic Course (Now available in a Digital edition (MP3/PDF)!) This course was prepared using classroom experience with government personnel whose duties require knowledge of spoken Hebrew. It is designed to provide material sufficient to enable students to obtain minimum professional competence in both speaking and reading Modern Hebrew. 24 tapes or CDs, 554 page book. And now FSI Hebrew is available in a Digital Edition on CD-ROM, with the recordings in MP3 audio files and the text in PDF format! Cassette Version $289 CD Version $269 Digital Edition (CD-ROM with MP3 audio files and PDF text) $99
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Chinyanja (Nyanja) This course is designed to teach the student to use Chinyanja, the language of Malawi. It contains many useful sentences in the language and covers the main points of grammar and pronunciation, with suggestions on the proper use of the language. The first part of the course teaches words and sentences that are most needed to get by in Malawi, and the second part reviews that material and goes deeper into the grammatical devices of the language. 12 Tapes, 251 page book. $245
Fula Basic Course Fula (Also known as Peul, or Fulani,) is widely spoken throughout the grassland areas of West Africa, from the Atlantic to Cameroun. This course is a brief introduction to the essentials of Sene-Gambian Fula. It is designed to provide the basic grammatical structures plus a more generalized 'feel' for the structure of the language, in the context of a limited vocabulary likely to prove useful in everyday situations. 29 tapes, 487 pg. book. $299
Hausa Basic Course Hausa is a language of great importance in West Africa, and has been studied by scholars for over a century. This course is a brief introduction to the essentials of this language, and leans heavily on direct observation. 14 tapes, 399 pg book. $245
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Kirundi Basic Course Together with its companion language, Kinyawanda, Kirundi is one of the most important of the Bantu languages. This course is designed to give the student a start in Kirundi, providing dialogues that relate to many of the situations that the beginner is likely to encounter; it also provides for systematic practice in all major points of grammar. 19 tapes, 525 page book. $245
Kituba Basic Course Also known as Kikongo ya Leta, and Mumukutuba, this language is a vehicular, or trade language spoken along the lower reaches of the Congo river and its tributaries. There are no full-scale grammars or dictionaries of this seldom-studied language. This course is a brief introduction and is designed to be used with a Kituba-speaking instructor, although motivated students may make some progress using the text and accompanying tapes alone.15 tapes, 470 pg book. $245
Luganda Basic Course This is a Bantu Language spoken as a first or second language by most of the people of Uganda. It is closely related to its neighboring languages, Lunyoro and Runyankole. This course was undertaken at the suggestion of the Peace Corps, and takes into account the special needs of that agency. It is not a course in the usual sense, but a collection of materials, which can be useful in the interaction between teachers and learners. Detailed suggestions are provided for using these materials, but much still depends on the initiative of the student. 10 tapes and 345 pg. book. $170
More Basic Course More' is spoken by the Mossi people of Upper Volta. This course provides dialogues for many common situations, as well as systematic practice in all major points of grammar. It is laid out in three cycles: Cycle One is devoted mainly to socially useful sets of expressions and general notes on social situations; Cycle Two concentrates on developing fuller control of the language structure; and Cycle Three presents additional material for comprehension and conversation practice. 29 tapes, 340 page book. $299
Shona Basic Course Shona is one of the two principal languages of Zimbabwe, and its use extends also into adjacent areas of Mozambique. It consists of a number of dialects, but a standardized form of the language, based on the Zezuru, Manyika, and Korekore dialects, is generally used in printed materials. These dialects differ in pronunciation, but not in the underlying grammatical system. One feature of this course is the attempt to represent several different pronunciations; this course will also give the student a start in the language and it's grammar. Emphasis is placed on leading the student to assume increasing amounts of responsibility as the course progresses. 10 tapes, 517 page book. $245
Swahili Basic Course Swahili is spoken in Kenya and Tanganyika, and throughout East Africa. This course is designed to assist students in speaking and understanding Swahili, and provide a basis for continuing to greater efficiency in reading and writing skills. 24 Tapes, 560 page book. $299
Twi Basic Course Twi is a West African language of the Niger-Congo family. This course is designed to provide basic structures and vocabulary that a foreigner is likely to need. It was prepared based on classroom experience. 15 tapes and 224 page book. $245
Yoruba Basic Course This West African language has been the subject of careful study by many scholars who have produced dictionaries and grammatical studies. This course is designed to inculcate speech habits, with pronunciation and grammar the subject of extensive sets of drill material, both printed and recorded. 36 tapes, 343 page book. $325
Cambodian (Khmer) Basic Course This course teaches the standard dialect of the national language of Cambodia as well as the most important secondary dialect of Phnom Penh. The standard dialect occupies a central position among the dialects and corresponds more closely with the writing system than any other. The dialect of the capitol, Phnom Penh, differs sharply from the Standard in phonology but not appreciably in other respects. Level One comes with 19 tapes and a book; Level Two 29 Tapes and a book. Level 1 - 19 tapes and book $245 Level 2 - 29 tapes and book $299
Japanese Headstart Course This is the best course for learning to speak Japanese quickly. Conversation, dialogues and practical vocabulary are the focus of this course. The illustrated book includes course materials and a cultural guide. Each unit has different activities, including conversation and notes, exercises, and a self-evaluation quiz. Unit by unit objectives for each module are stated at the start of the module, and each module has a vocabulary at the end. This course was developed by the Defense Language Institute for use in its own renowned language school. With 13 CDs and a book. $239
Multilingual Books FSI Sinhalese Basic Course This is the language of Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and is also spoken in Singapore. The course takes you through everyday situations from buying fruit to looking for a doctor, covering things one is likely to encounter as a traveller in the country. Level 1 has 24 lessons, each containing a conversation, a grammar section, and exercises. Romanized transcription is used in the first 12 lessons, with Sinhalese script introduced in Lesson 5. Beginning in Lesson 13 all new material is written in Sinhalese script. Level 2 covers more advanced aspects of the language in units 25 to 36, and has Sinhalese-English and English-Sinhalese glossaries. Level 1 comes with 12 audio cassettes covering 16 hours, and a 390 page text; Level 2 comes with 13 cassettes covering 11 hours and a 251 page text. This is a complete introduction to the language for student or traveler. Level 1 $299 Level 2 $245 Levels 1 and 2 $499 More information for FSI courses...
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Bulgarian Basic Course This course is an introduction to the language and assumes no prior knowledge of Bulgarian or other Slavic languages. Each unit is divided into three parts: Basic Sentences, Notes, and Drills, with review units also included. Using both the book and audiotapes, the student is gradually moved toward proficiency in spoken Bulgarian and its grammar. Level Two continues the first level for students who want greater proficiency. Level 1 - $299 Level 2 - $225 Levels 1 and 2 - $425
Czech, Familiarization And Short Term (Fast) Course This is one of a series designed to train government personnel quickly. The objective is help students acquire communication skills necessary to deal with the most common social situations they will encounter, and it encourages students to use with confidence the language skills they have developed. Designed to take eight weeks, it is ideal for travelers and beginning students. With 12 tapes and a book. $245
Estonian Estonian Basic is not an FSI course but was originally prepared for the U.S. armed forces. The book has been considerably re-worked but it follows the general format of FSI courses. The main emphasis is on everyday conversational language as used by educated Estonians; dialectical usages have been avoided. The course covers basic sentences and vocabulary, with notes and exercises on grammar, and conversation. With 32 tapes and a book. $325
Finnish (Conversational) This is the basic course in Finnish, emphasizing the spoken language with pronunciation drills and a large glossary. It was developed over a period of years with the participation of Finnish students. With 15 CDs and a book. FSI Conversational Finnish $245 FSI Conversational Finnish with Finnish Graded Reader (saves $45 over buying each separately) $445
Finnish Graded Reader This course is designed to develop reading ability in Finnish through the coordination of audio material with the printed page, with minimum recourse to translation. It is designed as a supplement to a beginning course to be introduced when the student has mastered much of the basic structure of the language. It has lexical and grammatical drills designed to lead the student past the introductory level. With 14 CDs and book. $245
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Modern Greek Basic Course (Now available in a Digital edition (MP3/PDF)!) This course provides introductory materials in modern spoken Greek for the student who wishes to achieve a working command of the language currently spoken by educated Greeks. The style is neither entirely demotic (colloquial) nor strictly formal. The Greek orthography is used from the beginning so that the students learn to read what they have learned to say. The second and third levels carry the student further into the grammar and vocabulary of spoken Greek, and gradually introduce the more formal spoken and written forms known as 'katharevousa', used on formal occasions by all educated Greeks, and commonly encountered in the press. Level One has 16 tapes or 16 CDs; Level Two 18 tapes; Level Three 6 tapes. And now FSI Greek Level One is available in a Digital Edition on CD-ROM, with the recordings in MP3 audio files and the text in PDF format!
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Programmatic Italian by Stephen Zappala This volume is designed to introduce you to spoken Italian. It covers virtually the entire sound-system of the language and introduces the basic grammatical categories, and consists of thirty-four units that accompany the cassettes. "Programmatic" means that the information is presented and practiced in small steps that are numbered, which in this case are called "frames." Renowned Italian linguists Stephen Zappala and Egle Camozzo wrote, designed, and edited all the materials, and members of the talented FSI staff contributed useful suggestions. Egle Camozzo, Emilia Francini, Giovanni Salvo, as well as Stephen Zappala himself voice the recorded program. Innovative features in the text include an emphasis on concept understanding, analyses of Italian intonation, and double consonants. If you want to speak the beautiful language that is Italian, then this FSI course is for you - it is the language course that works! With 23 cassettes and a book. $265
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Fast Polish The Fast Polish course is designed as a survival language course. The emphasis is on developing the necessary language skills to handle the most frequent situations a visitor would meet with while traveling in Poland. The course is divided into 14 units with grammar exercises following unit 14. Topics covered include: exchanging greetings, getting around on foot, using the telephone, eating out, social life, dealing with emergencies, and more. Learning activities in most units include: cultural notes, dialogues, exercises and drills, additional vocabulary, and language notes. Fast Polish comes with 4 cassettes and a 450 page book. $159
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From Spanish To Portuguese (Now available in a Digital edition (MP3/PDF)!) This course is designed for native speakers of American English who have a good command of Spanish, and want to learn Portuguese. Since the languages are similar many students get confused by the similarities and end up mispronouncing and jumbling words. This course explains the differences and allows the student to leverage their knowledge of Spanish to help them learn Portuguese faster. The content in the course includes units on sounds (Spanish vowels with counterparts in Portuguese, Portuguese vowels not occurring in Spanish, diphthongs, and consonants); grammar (word order, negation, contraction, verbs, and nominals, with focus on the differences between the two languages); hints on vocabulary transfer (sounds, words endings, and false cognates); and supplementary pronunciation exercises. The tapes illustrate the features of spoken Portuguese that are included in the text. With 2 tapes or CDs and a book. And now Spanish to Portuguese is available in a Digital Edition on CD-ROM, with the recordings in MP3 audio files and the text in PDF format! Cassette version $65 CD version $59 Digital Edition $49
Serbo-Croatian Basic Course Serbo-Croatian is the major language of the former country of Yugoslavia. This course is based on the Eastern version of speech; a Croatian speaker has contributed the Central version for certain sections, but this has not changed the essential character of the dialect taught. Students will need to become acquainted with the features of both varieties of the language, and this course aims to provide sufficient material for them to do so. Level 1 - 22 tapes and book $245 Level 2 - 24 tapes and book $299 Levels 1 and 2 $485
Multilingual Books FSI Spanish Basic Course Levels 3 and 4 The Spanish Basic Course was specifically prepared to train officers of the Foreign Service and of other United States Government agencies who are involved in foreign affairs and who need to learn to speak Spanish. It is in the Latin American dialect, and prepares students to function effectively in conversations, with a heavy stress on pronunciation, inflection, and intonations; the text material has accompanying phonetic spellings written in Spanish. It is a four level course that once completed will enable you to understand spoken and written Spanish; it will also allow you to actively engage in conversations with an abundant vocabulary of several thousand words. For the first two levels we offer the Platiquemos version of the Spanish Basic course - these two levels have been split into four for easy of use and have improved audio and text content, but otherwise faithfully replicate Levels 1 and 2 of the Spanish Basic course. Level 3 - 15 tapes and book $225 Level 4 - 18 tapes and book $225 Levels 3 and 4 $395
Survival Spanish This course is for students who have little or no knowledge of Spanish and wish to acquire enough skills to survive on their own in a Spanish speaking country. It focuses on everyday situations with essential "Grammar Notes" at the end of each chapter. After a few weeks of study the student should have a grasp of the language and culture, and be able to ask and answer simple questions, read simple texts and use basic grammar, handle everyday transactions and satisfy the ordinary requirements of courtesy. 6 tapes and 400 pg. book. $125
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English For Russian Speakers The English phrases in this course are grouped by subject and have been selected for their directness, brevity and relevance, to the needs of newly arrived residents of the U.S. They are, for the most part presented in the form of short two line dialogues. This is not intended as a step-by-step textbook for learning English. It is intended as a handy reference book for immediate use when English words or phrases are needed. With 2 CDs and a 166 pg book. CD version $59