What is the FSI Lao Basic Course?

The FSI Lao course is based on the Vientiane dialect of Lao. It was first created in 1970, although an updated version appeared as recently as 2014. The materials available here include the text for Volumes 1 and 2 of the updated course as well as the accompanying audio. There is also a supplementary course on reading Lao, which also includes recordings.

How was FSI Lao Basic originally used?

The FSI Lao course was created to train US diplomatic staff in the Lao language before taking up positions in the country. It was designed as an intensive course, with students taking around six hours of classes per day, supplemented by a further two hours of personal study. The instructor was a native Lao speaker, and students were expected to speak only Lao during lessons. Even outside of class, they were encouraged to speak Lao among themselves, and in such conditions, they were able to make rapid progress, attaining a good level of competency in only around six months.

How can you use FSI Lao Basic?

It is unlikely you will be able to recreate anything like the study environment of a full-time FSI course. However, FSI Lao contains a wealth of material that, with a little creativity, you can adapt to give your learning a boost.

Lao is not among the most common languages to learn, and as a result, anyone who wants to study it will find it a challenge to obtain materials to work with. One or two books for learning Lao exist, but resources are meager, and any additional materials you can get your hands on will be invaluable.

Unfortunately, the FSI Lao course follows a different format from other FSI courses, relying more heavily on the instructor, which makes it less suitable for self-study. However, if you are determined to improve your Lao, the lessons and accompanying audio can still be used to help you achieve your learning goal.

This means if you have another Lao coursebook and already know some of the language, this free Lao course can be used to supplement your study with additional speaking and listening exercises, allowing you to expand your vocabulary and work on your fluency.

However, if you don’t know any Lao and are looking for an introductory course for autonomous learners, this might not be the best place to start.

Taking it further

Regardless of the materials you use, you won’t be able to speak Lao unless you practice. This means as soon as you can, you should try to find opportunities to use your Lao and to make it a part of your daily life. Look for native speakers to talk to so you can try out what you’ve learned. Then, when you start using what you’ve picked up in this free online Lao course, you will really start to see your language skills improve.

Reading Lao

Everyday  Lao