U -- ONLINE LANGUAGE COURSES

Notice Date

May 18, 2001

Contracting Office

National Foreign Affairs Training Center, Foreign Service Institute, 4000 Arlington Blvd., Room F2129, Arlington, VA 22204-1500

ZIP Code

22204-1500

Solicitation Number

SFSIAQ-01-

Response Due

May 30, 2001

Point of Contact

Contact Colleen Lewis -- 703-302-6821

E-Mail Address

SOURCES SOUGHT (lewisce@state.gov)

Description

This is a sources sought notice for providers of online language courses. The courses must be able to facilitate speaking practice in a simulated environment that is as natural and authentic as possible. A listening-comprehensive component is also expected to be part of the speaking practice. To accomplish this, the provider must make available a mentor online, with native or near native language proficiency. The next priority is reading of a variety of texts, with focus on the current media. The course should feature its curriculum in a self-contained, integrated electronic environment rather than in a guided study format based entirely on books, tapes and other independent materials. It should provide Internet sources for cultural references and current events (e.g., newscasts and periodicals). The students should have "real world" experience dealing with (near) native speakers of the language, and develop the ability to cope with the unknown in the language versus mastering rote exercises. It must provide enough speaking practice so that students enable themselves to put the language to use, give detailed explanations, and ad lib in the foreign language. Students should be able to use the amount of language they know to decode language they do not know.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010522/USOL002.HTM (W-138 SN50M5E2)