Language Resources
This resource guide is designed for SIS graduate students who need to improve their language skills to
fulfill the Tool of Research language requirement and/or for students who wish to further develop their
language skills for professional development.
On-Campus:
Center for Language Exploration, Acquisition & Research (CLEAR)
Located in Asbury Hall at AU, CLEAR has multiple spaces integrated with multimedia and computer
equipment to facilitate technology-enhanced language instruction, and the hosting of language-related
events. In addition to administering the Tool of Research exam, CLEAR offers coaching in the following
languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian,
and Spanish.
Phone: 202-885-2357
Email: clear@american.edu
Web: http://www.american.edu/cas/clear/
Location: Asbury Hall, North Wing - Lower Level, Room B36
Graduate Audits of Foreign Language Courses
Current graduate students in good academic standing at American University are permitted to audit AU
foreign language classes for a substantially discounted rate in order to support their development of
research related to their chosen program of study. Please note this program will be discontinued
effective Summer 2016. Audits earn no academic credit and may not be used as a substitute for a Tool
of Research examination or to fulfill any degree requirement. Interested students must follow the
registration process found at: http://www.american.edu/sis/gradadvising/upload/Fall-2015-GraduateLanguage-Audit-Registration-Process.pdf. Students should not register themselves online for
undergraduate language courses. Doing so will result in full tuition charges.
Global Languages Network
AU has partnered with The Global Language Network (GLN) in previous semesters to offer reduced-cost
language classes on AU’s campus. These classes are independently run by GLN and are not being offered
as AU courses. GLN courses earn no academic credit and may not be used as a substitute for a Tool of
Research examination or to fulfill any degree requirement. Visit the GLN website for more information,
including fees and how to register.
Web: http://thegln.org
Language Exchange Program
International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) runs the language exchange program, which matches AU
students who want to practice their language skills. Language partners meet on AU’s campus at least
once a week to practice. ISSS matches partners and accepts all applications.
Web: http://www.american.edu/ocl/isss/LEP.cfm
Abroad:
Critical Language Scholarship
The U.S. Department of State's Critical Language Scholarships provide funding for intensive overseas
study of "critical need" languages, including Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi,
Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu. Critical Language
Scholarships will provide funding for students to participate in beginning, intermediate and/or advanced
level summer language programs at American Overseas Research Centers and affiliated partners. All
program costs are covered for participants. All applicants must be U.S. citizens. The application deadline
is in early to mid-November.
Please contact the Office of Merit Awards at 202-855-1854 for the dates and times of
information sessions, or e-mail meritawards@american.edu to be added to the Critical
Language Scholarship Blackboard site.
Web: http://www.clscholarship.org/
Boren Graduate Fellowship
The Boren Graduate Fellowship supports students pursuing the study of languages, cultures, and world
regions that are critical to US interests. Most students use a Boren Graduate Fellowship to fund
international study of a foreign language within a country or region. The Fellowship excludes the
countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The
university deadline for this award is in late January, but students begin the application process in the fall
semester. Counselors in the Office of Merit Awards work closely with applicants throughout the
application process.
Please contact the Office of Merit Awards at 202-885-1854 to learn about additional campus
deadlines and to schedule an appointment with a Merit Awards advisor. Also, e-mail
meritawards@american.edu to be added to the Boren Graduate Fellowship Blackboard site.
Web: https://www.borenawards.org/
DC Metro Area:
Tenley-Friendship DC Public Library
DC Public Libraries offer Powerspeak Languages, a free, online language-learning program, accessible
using your D.C. public library card. Language lessons available include: Spanish, French, German,
Mandarin, and English. Tenley-Friendship Library also offers free ASL instruction.
Phone: 202-727-1488
Web: http://www.dclibrary.org/tenley
Location:
4450 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016
Other Resources
Below are some local schools and institutions where SIS graduate students have taken language courses.
(This list is not intended to be comprehensive nor serve as an endorsement.)
Alliance Francaise: http://www.francedc.org/
Goethe-Institut: http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/was/enindex.htm?wt_sc=washington
Middle East Institute: http://www.mei.edu/
Spanish Now: http://www.gospanishnow.com/
Graduate School USA: http://graduateschool.edu/
Last updated 8/28/15