Dear CLS Advisors,

The application for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Spark Program will close in just two weeks on Thursday, May 26 at 8:00pm Eastern Time. We welcome your undergraduate students to apply now to learn Arabic, Chinese or Russian through online classes and activities facilitated by native speakers at a host institution abroad.

The application is now live and available online at:  https://www.clscholarship.org/apply

We have hosted a number of information sessions and alumni panels this spring, including sessions specific to each of the three Spark language programs. Recordings of these webinars are available here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc6m86vaPU3YnYFm-AAVOJwEdF_w__r6v

We still have two upcoming live Q&A sessions that are open to both students and advisors: https://clscholarship.org/events

As always, we are grateful for your work to share this opportunity across your campus and help students get their applications in before the deadline! I’ve included some outreach text below in case you’re able to post or share directly with your students:

Are you interested in learning a foreign language to stand out and become more competitive in an increasingly globalized workforce?

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Spark Program offers funded virtual language instruction in Arabic, Chinese, and Russian taught by native speakers at partner institutions abroad. The main benefit of the program is the opportunity to engage virtually in high quality language study and experience the cultural and educational system of the host country. Additional benefits include:

• Language instruction and participation in monthly cultural programming
• Course materials
• Language gains certified using the widely-recognized ACTFL OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) assessment
• A stipend of $300 towards equipment and connectivity costs

Students who complete the CLS Spark Program can also apply for a full scholarship to continue their language study overseas the summer following the online program through the summer CLS Program, and will be considered automatic semifinalists for that opportunity.

The application for this program is open now at https://clscholarship.org/apply. Applications are due May 26 at 8:00pm Eastern Time.

You can learn more about this opportunity through recorded info sessions on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc6m86vaPU3YnYFm-AAVOJwEdF_w__r6v

Please be in touch if you have any questions.

Best wishes,

Natalie Spencer
Outreach and Selection Manager
Critical Language Scholarship Program

You can add, update, or remove advisor listings for your campus any time using our online forms: https://clscholarship.org/advisors/sign-up