This textbook is a component of "Beginning Pashto," a set of materials (including a student workbook, teacher's manual, glossary, and tapescripts) that teaches the Pashto language. The language taught is Afghan Pashto, particularly the standard central district dialect spoken in Kabul and in the official media. The text provides 14 units of study; each unit is approximately 10 hours of class work, and therefore, is sufficient for 2 semesters of academic language training. The first unit of study teaches the Pashto writing system and consists of the following sections: (1) Greeting and Goodby Phrases; (2) Pashto Pronunciation; (3) The Pashto Alphabet Letter Shapes; and (4) Diversions. The remaining 13 units of study present the language through dialogues and readings on various topics (e.g. food, shopping, weather, family, etc.), with accompanying presentations on grammar and vocabulary, and exercises for oral practice and conversation. Each unit also contains a diversion (a proverb, poem, or story) intended to amuse the student, and to provide him or her with a glimpse of Pashto folk literature. The dialogues revolve around the activities of a group of Pashtuns and Americans at an American university. The readings, for the most part, describe Pashtun life and customs in Afghanistan and are related to the topic in the corresponding dialogue. (GLR)