Critical Language Scholarship
(CLS) Program
A program of the U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Program Overview
Program objective: Increase the number of Americans
studying and mastering critical foreign languages
• Launched in 2006
• Target group: U.S. citizen
undergraduate and graduate
students
• About 5,000 applications
submitted and approximately
600 scholarships awarded
in 2013
What is CLS?
• Group-based summer program
o June through mid-August
o About 10 to 40 CLS participants
live and study at each overseas
institute location
• Intensive study
o One year of college language
instruction in 7-10 weeks
o 20 hours per week of
classroom study
o Language partner and cultural
program
• Not a research, independent
study, or internship program
Thirteen Languages Offered
Language
Arabic
Azerbaijani
Bangla
Chinese
Hindi
Indonesian
Japanese
Korean
Persian
Punjabi
Russian
Turkish
Urdu
Beginning
Advanced
Beginning
Intermediate
Advanced
Institute Locations 2013
Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan,
Morocco, Oman, Russia, South Korea, Tajikistan, and Turkey.
Why Should You Apply?
• Make impressive gains in language proficiency
• Develop cultural expertise and intercultural skills
• Gain experience to help you pursue future academic and
professional goals
CLS Program Language Gains
Proficiency Levels
Novice Low
Novice Mid
Novice High
Intermediate Low
Intermediate Mid
Intermediate High
Advanced Low
Advanced Mid
Advanced High
Superior
Pre-Program
Post-Program
Number of Percent of Number of Percent of
Students
Students
Students
Students
84
14
0
0
65
10
8
1
92
15
23
4
98
16
82
13
139
22
165
27
79
13
123
20
42
7
108
17
19
3
89
14
2
0
21
3
0
0
1
0
Eligibility Requirements
• U.S. citizen
• Enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate
student in U.S.-based university degree
program at time of application;
• 18 years old and have completed at least
first year of college-level study by
beginning of CLS Program;
• All backgrounds/disciplines are eligible;
• Some programs require previous
language study;
• Participation is contingent on certification
of acceptable physical and mental health
and on securing a visa to the host country.
Program Benefits
• Domestic travel to/from Washington
for pre-departure orientation (required)
• International travel to/from
host country
• Applicable visa fees
• Group-based intensive language
instruction
• Housing and meals
• Cultural excursions and activities in
host country
• U.S. academic credit through Bryn
Mawr College
Participant Diversity Snapshot (2013)
• 11% are STEM majors
• 30% identify as students of color
• Students come from public and
private institutions,
community colleges, and minorityserving institutions
• All 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico
represented
• Undergraduate students (68%);
graduate students (32%)
• Women (57%); Men (43%)
Application Process
Application Due November 15, 2013
• Online application at
clscholarship.org
• Apply for one language only
• Application is for CLS language –
not a specific country or site
• Unofficial transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• Language evaluation form
• Applicants at the beginning level do
not need to submit this
• Essays
Key Elements of a Successful Application
Make a clear connection between target language and academic/career
plans.
Talk about:
•
•
Importance of the language to your goals;
Plans to continue studying and using the language.
Make it clear you can succeed in an intensive, group-based program.
Show that you are:
•
•
•
Ready for intensive study;
Ready for a group-based program with a
very busy schedule;
Culturally adaptable and mature.
Get good letters of recommendation.
•
•
•
Letters from faculty or instructors
are preferred.
Include language reference, if above
beginning level
Ask early! Be polite!
Resources for Your Application
Start your application early, and seek
on-campus resources to help you
improve your essays:
• Office of Grants, Scholarships, or
Fellowships
• Study Abroad or International
Education office
• Writing tutor
• Academic advisor, language
instructor or other faculty member
• Trade proofreading duties with a
friend!
Selection Timeline
• November 15, 2013
• Application deadline
• 1st round of selection
• Each application read by two
independent readers
• Notification of advancement in midJanuary
• 2nd round of selection
• Selection panels convene in
Washington, D.C. in early February
• Final approval by U.S. Department of
State
• February/March
• Finalists and alternates are notified
• Must accept award by mid-late March
Stay Connected with CLS
Website:
clscholarship.org
Facebook:
facebook.com/CLScholarship
Twitter:
@CLSscholarship
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/CLSscholarship
Phone:
(202) 833-7522
Email:
cls@americancouncils.org
Other State Department programs:
exchanges.state.gov