CLS Spark for Russian is hosted by the American Councils for International Education office in Chișinău, Moldova, and offers an interactive, beginner level learning experience in a dynamic virtual environment.

Throughout the summer, students use all the opportunities the program provides to develop their Russian language skills while gaining valuable insight into Moldova’s unique culture. The virtual institute includes ten hours per week of intensive live group instruction, focusing on the major aspects of language acquisition including grammar, pronunciation, reading, writing, and listening comprehension.  Instructors also provide personalized support through weekly individual consultations tailored to students’ specific needs and interests.

Beyond the classroom, students participate in cultural activities including cooking demonstrations, craftmaking workshops, and traditional dance classes to deepen their understanding of Moldovan and Russian cultures and traditions while allowing them to engage with experts and members of the host institution community. Starting in Week 5 of the program, students meet weekly with their peer language partners for 45-minute sessions where they practice their growing Russian skills, engage in cultural exchange, and foster person-to-person diplomacy.

Over the course of just eight weeks, students complete the equivalent of one year of university-level Russian language instruction and are eligible for academic credit.