A Basic Olof Course with Cultural Notes.

This basic Olof course consists of a series of dialogues with drills, questions and improvised situations based on the real life experiences of Peace Corps volunteers in the Gambia. The teaching method is structured around choral repetition. backward build-up for difficult sequences, individual repetition, precise explanations of vocabulary, and dictation. There are some grammatical explanations, although the major emphasis is on proficiency in oral communication. Substitution, transformation, and expansion drills follow the dictation. Students are also required to improvise situations in which they create their own dialogues and make the best use of their vocabulary. There is a concerted attempt to integrate language and cultural factors in each lesson, and this is to be reinforced by role-playing activities and field trips. The basic objectives of the course include an understanding of Gambian culture and effective use of language in accomplishing basic daily living tasks. (CLK)