POST LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
(CT:TPD-21; 11-16-2023)
(Office of Origin: FSI)
13 FAM 201.3-1 Responsibilities
13 FAM 201.3-1(A) Principal Officer Responsibilities
(CT:TPD-21; 11-16-2023)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees Only)
The principal officer has the following responsibilities:
(1) To establish and administer, in consultation with the chief officer of each participating agency and the regional language supervisor (if any), such foreign language training as may be necessary or desirable and practicable to meet the needs of the post and of the participating agencies, subject to these provisions. Implicit in this responsibility is the judicious use of time and funds devoted to language training;
(2) To be familiar with the language-designated positions (LDPs) at post and the degree to which the post is in compliance with the provisions of the Foreign Service Act regarding LDPs;
(3) To ensure that the interest and effort of individual employees in job-related language learning are adequately reflected in performance evaluations. Such indications should be included as part of the work requirements statement and discussed with the employee at the beginning of the rating period. In cases where an employee occupying an LDP has less than the proficiency required by the position, the principal officer will ensure that the:
(a) Employee's supervisor includes progress toward achievement of the required language proficiency in the description of duties prepared at the beginning of a rating period;
(b) Employee's performance in meeting these goals is reflected in the employee's performance evaluation; and
(c) The supervisor supports the employee's efforts to improve proficiency;
(4) To designate a post language officer (PLO) who is responsible for the local administration of the post's language program and to ensure that the PLO is invested with adequate authority to make the necessary decisions and is given sufficient time to carry out the related duties. The principal officer is responsible for ensuring that the PLO takes the FSI “Post Language Office Course” (PLP100) before assuming their responsibilities and that the PLO is appropriately evaluated in their annual performance rating. Desirable qualifications for the PLO include:
(a) Administrative experience;
(b) Previous intensive language training at FSI; and
(c) An S-3/R-3 proficiency in the language of the post; and
(5) To ensure that post informs FSI’s School of Language Studies (FSI/SLS) of the appointment of a new post language officer so that FSI/SLS can contact the officer to provide guidance in administering the post language program.
13 FAM 201.3-1(B) Post Language Officer (PLO) Responsibilities
(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees Only)
Upon authority of the principal officer, the post language officer (PLO) has the following responsibilities:
(1) To formulate and carry out plans for a single, fully coordinated language training program to meet the needs of all participating agencies;
(2) To establish new classes;
(3) To assign students to appropriate classes and make such changes to assignments as may be necessary;
(4) To control:
(a) Instruction schedules for all components of the post language program, under the guidelines for intensity, course length, and attendance requirements established by the FAM;
(b) To terminate training when the PLO determines that it has become ineffective or inappropriate; and
(c) To establish priorities for access to post language program training in the event of shortage of funds, in line with guidelines in 13 FAH-1 H-250;
(5) To supervise classes to the extent that time and competence permit;
(6) To maintain records of attendance, progress of students, and work hours of instructors;
(7) Through established administrative channels at the post, and in compliance with applicable human resources and procurement regulations and procedures:
(a) To select and train candidates for instructor positions, with the assistance of the regional language supervisor when available;
(b) To arrange for employment of instructors and to serve as their supervisor;
(c) To procure and maintain, for the benefit of all participating agencies, classrooms, furnishings, and teaching equipment including textbooks, tape recorders, and language tapes; and
(d) To account for teaching equipment loaned to personnel; and
(8) To take such other actions as may contribute to the economical and effective operations of the post language program.
13 FAM 201.3-1(C) Local Control Officer
(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
When one or more components of the post language program are geographically separated from the central administration of the program, a local control officer is designated for each such component, but overall coordination and reporting continue to be centralized under the authority delegated by the principal officer to the post language officer.
13 FAM 201.3-2 Establishing and Operating Post Language Programs
(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)
(Uniform State/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
Guidelines for establishing and operating post language programs can be found in 13 FAH-1 H-250.