Applications are due Tuesday, November 19, 2024 by 8:00pm EST.
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight to ten weeks over the summer studying one of a dozen critical languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. The program provides intensive language instruction and structured cultural activities designed to promote rapid language gains.
CLS Spark, an initiative of CLS, provides opportunities for American undergraduate college and university students to study Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian virtually at the beginning level, as well as Japanese virtually at the advanced beginning level. We are delighted to expand CLS Spark offerings to include Japanese and Korean for the first time this summer. Designed to leverage best practices in online language learning, CLS Spark provides American undergraduate students the opportunity to study critical languages virtually when they may not have access to language learning on their campuses or the ability to study abroad.
We strongly encourage applicants to explore the resources available on our website, including detailed application instructions, essay worksheets, and helpful video tips. The CLS Program will also host frequent webinars covering the languages offered this year though the overseas institutes and virtual language study offered through CLS Spark. These webinars will feature alumni panelists and live Q&A. Drop-in office hours will be held every Friday, offering students a chance to ask questions program details, application requirements, and any other questions they might have about the CLS Program or CLS Spark. A full calendar of events and corresponding registration links is available on our website.
CLS is a program of the U.S. Department of State, and part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world. CLS plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness. It is supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: cls@americancouncils.org.
