WEEKLY ACTIVITIES REPORT #19

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05787A000100040016-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 10, 2001
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: May 9, 1957
• Content Type: MF

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Memorandum ? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Office
Chief, PPS
FROM : Chief, LAS
SUBJECT: Weekly Activities Report #19
A. SIGNIFICANT
DATE: 9 May 1957
With a view to anticipating need prior to existence of either
a crisis or stated requirements, the Language and Area School is
designing and preparing to offer a limited program of language
training and area training on Africa and Central Asia. Stated
requirements for training in these areas so far are significant
only in their indication of general neglect.
B. OTHER ACTIVITIES 25X1A9a
1. met with on OTR's draft 25X1a'9a
package propos ror ~n ng 's special training program.
Agreement was reached on a schedule for providing 9 to 10 months
training to two successive groups of new recruits beginning 3
September. The training period will include 12 weeks on language
and area, to be handled concurrently, with a contribution by SIC 25X1A9a
within the area phase. It is hoped that the final OTR pro sal to
NEA will include: (a) this schedule; (b) nomination of as 25{1a,Sa
project officer in overall charge of the groups, with ass s ce from
a representative or deputy from each school involved; and (c) a re-
quest for NEA's specific language requirements. While the demands
on for providing instruction and supervision under this plan
wa probably represent a full-time assignment, the area courses
involved would be open to the entire Agency.
The principal language requirements will be French, which
will undoubtedly place a strain on present facilities. Arabic,
which will rank second, will also raise problems, especially since
it may be desired at both beginning and intermediate levels. Swahili
and perhaps other minor languages may also be requested for small
numbers. 25X1A9a
2. M used an eight-page chart of European history for the
first time in the Free Europe course. This graphic aid, on which he
has been working on his own time during the past year and a half,
highlights the major periods and their significance. It was the
basis of his two lectures which sketch the framework for the more
specialized talks on the roots of contemporary problems.
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3. Our I Building Lecture Room continues to be filled to
capacity by Agency auditors in the Free Europe coxr se. Thus,
although only five Agency employees enrolled as regular students,
approximately half the audience at each session is composed of
Agency personnel.
4. _ 0SI/TO, called on to be briefed on the Area
Training Program. He showed a particular interest in the Americans
Abroad courses and in the Integrated Language-Area courses on Ger-
many scheduled for fall.
5. During the month of April, the I Building Language Lab was
used for 2189 hours.
supervision. It was agreed that language training and development
must have first priority but that, with the present staff and with
further development of an integrated program, the area program can
and should be maintained at its present level. This was an explana-
tory meeting in furtherance of work in integrating
and coordinating the whole training program of OTR.
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25X1A9a
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6. The Language Advisory Committee held one oW" ar
meetings on 1 May. Present were: 25X1A9a
and Standard nomenclature for off-duty language courses
was decided on. The four or more semesters of the basic course
will be known as, for example, German 101, 102, 103, 104, etc.;
the semesters in the intermediate course as German 201, etc.; and those
in the advanced course as German 301, etc. It had been decided at
a previous meeting that all semesters in this program would last a
standard sixteen weeks and that the number of semesters in a given
course would vary with the language involved. It was further decided
that only applicants for intermediate and advanced courses would be
interviewed as a prerequisite for admission to the course. The Com-
mittee also considered draft outlines of the first few semesters of
the basic course in several languages. 25X1A9a
7. Two more prospective teachers for the off-duty course were 25X1A9a
interviewed by and accepted. They are Mr. Of 25 1A9a
FIandr. FI/D.
25X1A9a
8. On 3 May, conferred at length
on apace, personnel and organization problems facing LAS. Particular
emphasis was placed on the after-hours language program, which will
require uncleared space and, in due course, regular management and 25X1A9a
9. On 3 May, conferred with 1 Thy on the
development of an area orientation program for w ves an ependent
children of Agency personnel. It was agreed to do a trial run on
Friday, 21 June, in connection with the 17 June offering of Americans
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10, has arranged to have Cheater Bowles come to the
Agency for a lee ure in connection with - course on the
Indian Sub-Continent. The lecture will be held on Thursday, 20
June, in the afternoon.
11. A Polish Seminar conducted by began
on 2 May. It meets each Thursday, from 1200 to 1400 hours, and
has seven members. Wyaockats Polish Reader and newspaper materi-
als are being used as a basis for discussion. This is CIAts first
seminar in any East European language other than Russian.
12. The regularly scheduled French test was given on 2 May 25:1A9a
for 16 people; Mr. of SR, served on the oral
panel.
13. The Russian test was given by special request for one
person on 7 May; Mrs. served on the oral panel..
14. vent to the Machine Records Division on 1 May tot-X1A9a
consult with lro about the machine coding of 25X1A9a
language proficiency recor s.
15. At the re nest of of 00/C,1~'a
met to assist in acqu ng1a
9u nce 9 answer queries about language training relating 25:1A9a
to the incentive awards program. 25:1,9a
16. is interviewing a veteran J' 9a
member of trie acuity of Chinese an apanese at o umbia Univer-
sity, with a view to possible staff employment eventually to do- .5X1A9a
velop our program on Ja an. has met members of the
LAS staff and 9%a
17. On invitation, attended th PP Career Service
Board considering the career w par
of The plan in-
cludes extensive Chinese language stu . His q ifications had
been previously certified by a Qualifications Review Panel.
18. We have not so far located a staff employee qualified to
instruct the out-of-hours Polish course. If we do not succeed
this week, I propose to arrange for instruction at Georgetown.
len Evans, Director of OIR, Department of State, called
on on the occasion of his lecture in the Free Europe course.
20. Final arrangements are being made for Russian language
training I am told the area. has been marked off, and
necessary preparations at the house are being arranged.
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1. Mr. reported for duty on _ staff 25:1,9a
on 6 May.
2. LAS personnel presently in training courses are- 25X1A9a
taking Operations Familiarization, and con-
tin ng in his ninth month of Arabic Reading. 25 1A9a . 25 1A9a
21. Chief, informed that they are
hoping by August to be able to re ease to LAS for service in the
China. program Ilise (now, by courtesy of FEM teach-
ing half-time) and Dr.
22. ~ of FE is continuing to make Korean language tapes for
us to go with Volume II of the Holt Series.
23. NSA is seeking advice from our experience relative to
its intent to develop a modern language laboratory.
24. We have a substantial request from the Army for about
350 tapes in eleven (11) languages. All will. have to be made at
an estimated time cost of about twelve (12) man-days.
C. PERSONNEL ITEMS
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