A Program of the CLS semifinalists, check your email! Notification messages for the 2024 CLS Program have been sent! We applaud all applicants for their commitment to language learning and congratulate the finalists and alternates selected from an impressive pool of over 5,000 applicants.
What Alumni Say About the CLS Program
Key Benefits
Develop Key Expertise
The CLS Program provides its scholars intensive language and cultural instruction in an environment designed to maximize their language gains at every level.
Career Ready Skills
Alumni apply their critical language skills in a variety of professional fields in public and private sectors as well as government, helping to support America’s competitiveness across the board.
Citizen Diplomacy
CLS scholars represent the breadth and diversity of the United States. Through personal engagement they help to spread American values and develop mutual understanding with the people of other countries.
Languages Offered
CLS News and Stories
Celebrating Women's History Month with CLS Alumnae
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, the CLS Program is shining a spotlight on three inspiring and entrepreneurial CLS Turkish alumnae: Isabelle McRae, Keyia Yalcin, and Sydney Ribot. Isabelle is a multilingual development consultant based in London, one of her recent projects, translating Tu…March 28, 2024
Navigating Vegetarianism & Veganism in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
When CLS Russian students, Raven and Valentina, first learned they’d be studying in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, they were ecstatic. Their second feeling was one of uncertainty – what were they going to eat!? As a vegetarian and vegan respectively, Raven and Valentina’s plant-based diets were in strong co…March 15, 2024
Announcing the 2024 CLS Program Awards
Congratulations to the over 500 U.S. undergraduate and graduate students selected for the 2024 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program! We applaud all applicants for their commitment to critical language study and congratulate the finalists and alternates selected from an impressive pool of ov…March 05, 2024
Celebrating Black History Month with CLS Alumni
In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the CLS Program is highlighting the perspectives of Black CLS alumni and the ways in which they connected with the African Diaspora and Black culture while on CLS. For Black scholars participating at CLS Program sites with large African di…February 29, 2024
CLS in the Press
Parker Johnson ’26 selected as Critical Language Scholar for Turkish
Johnson will travel to Ankara University in Ankara, Turkey for his Critical Language Scholarship this summer.
Shared from , April 17, 2024
College of Charleston Student Named a Critical Language Scholarship Finalist
Jack Watson has been named a finalist for the 2024 Critical Language Scholarship Arabic program.
Shared from , April 16, 2024
5 Students Receive Prestigious Critical Language Scholarship
Five Syracuse University students have been selected as recipients of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), through which they will immerse themselves in intensive language study this summer.
Shared from , April 15, 2024