This textbook is designed for use by Peace Corps volunteers learning Kirghiz in preparation for serving in Kirghizstan. It takes a competency-based approach to language learning, focusing on specific tasks the learner will need to accomplish through language. Some competencies are related to work tasks and others to survival needs or social transactions. An introductory section gives basic information about Kirghiz phonology, alphabet, and grammar. The instructional materials consist of lessons on 12 topics: personal identification; conversation with a host counterpart or family; general interpersonal communication; food; money; transportation; getting and giving directions; shopping at the bazaar; being invited by a Kirghiz family; workplace interactions; medical and health issues; and interaction with government officials. Each lesson contains related cultural notes and segments on a number of specific competencies. Each competency is accompanied by a dialogue in Kirghiz, a vocabulary list, grammar and vocabulary notes, and in some cases, a proverb. Appended materials include charts of grammar forms, translations of the dialogues, a Kirghiz-English glossary, a Kirghiz-English supplemental word list by category (occupations, expressions of time, the calendar, signs and directions, useful classroom phrases, colloquial expressions, useful words, numbers), and a list of source materials. (MSE)