The Section is mandated to conduct the Foreign Language Program as an essential undertaking to help strengthen and upgrade the performance capabilities of the career foreign service corps. The FLP provides intensive learning instruction in seven major languages to personnel of the Department and other government agencies whose work requires foreign language proficiency - those in the home office a
nd in constant contact with foreign nationals or counterpart organizations, and especially those slated for assignment to foreign service posts. LPS also implements the English Language Program, a three-part course run exclusively for Department personnel to upgrade their knowledge and skills in written and spoken formal English. It also handles the Self-Study Program for Personnel Scheduled for Foreign Assignment, an all-year round program for DFA and non-DFA personnel who are due to be assigned to countries where English is not their official language.
