Peace Corps Latvian Language Lessons

COURSE OVERVIEW
This guide is designed for Latvian language training of Peace Corps workers in Latvia, is intended for use in a competency-based language training program, and reflects daily communication needs in that context. It consists of an introductory section on the history, alphabet, and phonology of the Latvian language and a series of 13 topical instructional units.

Each unit contains a page of information about an aspect of Albanian culture and between one and seven lessons, each targeting a specific language competency. Lessons include the targeted competency, a brief dialogue, vocabulary list(s), grammar and vocabulary notes, and in many cases, pronunciation notes. Unit topics include greetings and introductions, classroom communication, conversation with a host counterpart or family, money communications services, food, transportation, giving and getting directions, shopping, invitations and social behavior, discussing work, and health and medical services. Appended materials include dialogue translations in English, additional grammar notes, and a Latvian-English glossary.

PROGRAMS THAT USED THIS LANGUAGE
Latvia: 1992-2002

PROGRAM SECTORS
Latvia: Agriculture, Business, Education

Latvian is the official state language of Latvia. It is also sometimes referred to as Lettish. There are about 1.2 million native Latvian speakers in Latvia and 100 thousand abroad. Altogether, 1.9 million, or 79% of the population of Latvia, speak Latvian. Of those, 1.2 million use it as their primary language at home. The use of the Latvian language in various areas of social life in Latvia is increasing. Latvian is a Baltic language and is most closely related to Lithuanian, although the two are not mutually intelligible. Latvian first appeared in Western print in the mid-16th century with the reproduction of the Lord's Prayer in Latvian in Sebastian Münster's Cosmographia Universalis, in Latin script.

Latvian is spoken in: Latvia

Latvian has no known alternate names.