Program Structure

The CLS Bangla Program in Kolkata, India is a flexible and learner-oriented language acquisition and cultural immersion program. Students spend 20 hours of week in the classroom, with additional activities, classes and excursions.

The hosting organization in Kolkata is the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS). AIIS is a consortium of 71 American universities with South Asia Studies Centers and is recognized by the Government of India as an institution of higher learning and research.

In Kolkata, student will spend their time in language classes which the concepts of grammar, conversation, pronunciation, journal writing, and dictation in order to hone the four skills of language development – listening, speaking, reading and writing. The CLS Program works with students to set both short and long term learning goals, and the faculty works collectively and individually to help students achieve these goals throughout the summer institute. Students are placed in small classes according to their level indicated on their application, the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) exam score from the spring, and an in-country placement test.

In addition to formal evaluations such as tests and quizzes, student–teacher meetings are held every week to discuss student progress and language-learning goals. Classes are held five days a week from 9am until 1pm. In the afternoons, students attend cultural activities and language partner conversation hours. Students also can complete homework in the afternoons with the help of teachers, or request additional tutoring. Weekly activities supplement formal classroom instruction and include local trips, guest lectures, monolingual guests, and music and dance performances. Each student works with his or her instructors to complete an independent project during the CLS institute. Students present their research and projects to the group during the final week of the program.

CLS participants live with host families to maximize language learning and the cultural immersion experience.

Kolkata is the capital of the state of West Bengal, India, and is located near the border between India and Bangladesh. With a population of 4.5 million, Kolkata is the largest city of East India and the third largest in India after New Delhi and Mumbai. In the 19th and early 20th century, it was the center of the Bengal Renaissance, a period of great growth in art, science and culture.

Language Levels Offered:

• Beginning: No previous knowledge or study of Bangla is required.
• Advanced Beginning: Minimum requirement: completion of one year of college-level Bangla, or its equivalent, prior to the start of the program.
• Intermediate: Minimum requirement: completion of two years of college-level Bangla, or its equivalent, prior to the start of the program.
• Advanced: Minimum requirement: completion of three years of college-level Bangla, or its equivalent, prior to the start of the program.