resources: u.s. language programs
Studying a foreign language here in the US can be an excellent alternative for those looking to minimize travel costs and is even recommended for beginning students. Moreover, many US language programs rival the instruction offered overseas. We hope that one of the resources below will yield the perfect domestic language program for you.
- Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA)
The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) is one of the U.S. Department of Education's Title VI National Language Resource Centers, whose role is to improve the nation's capacity to teach and learn foreign languages effectively. Their Less Commonly Taught Languages Project tracks information on locations in North America where students can study specific less commonly taught languages and also provides information about study abroad opportunities. - American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages
AATSEEL maintains a listing of intensive programs in Slavic and East European languages as well as in the languages of the Republics of the former Soviet Union. The listings include those programs offered in U.S. (and some Canadian) colleges and universities as well as in programs abroad. Each language has its own page, and programs are divided into the following categories: Summer Programs in the U.S., Summer Programs Abroad, and Semester/Year Programs Abroad. Information is added to this page as it is received, so check frequently for updates.
- Critical Language Institute at the University of Arizona (CLI)
The ASU Critical Languages Institute has been offering summer intensive language courses and short-term summer study abroad programs since 1991. CLI students earn up to 10 credits and can earn 2 semesters of language instruction in 1 summer. CLI courses are tuition free and open to all students (undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree). Enrollment is limited. CLI offers three programs: Summer Intensive Programs on the Arizona State Campus; Summer Intensive Programs in Kazan, Russia; Short-Term Summer Study-Abroad Programs (Balkans, Caucasus, and Central Asia). Languages offered for 2010 programs: Albanian, Armenian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Hebrew, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Persian, Tatar, Uzbek, and Yiddish. - Baltic Studies Summer Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (BALSSI)
The Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI) offers intensive Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian language courses. BALSSI also offers a cultural enhancement program which introduces students to the rich world of Baltic history and culture. The Center for Russia, East Europe and Central Asia (CREECA) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will host the Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI) in the summer of 2010 (June 14-August 6). First- and second-year Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian language courses will be offered, as well as lectures (in English) on Baltic history and culture and a rich program of cultural events related to the Baltic lands. For further information about BALSSI 2010, please contact Nancy Heingartner, BALSSI program coordinator, balssi@creeca.wisc.edu, 1-608-262-3379. - Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian at Middlebury
In the Davis School of Russian, you can choose from co-curricular activities that explore the range of historical and contemporary Russian culture, from the slings and arrows of slang to the finer points of fine art. And while you’re interpreting Russian poetry, learning to play the balalaika, or discussing post-Soviet politics, your fluency and vocabulary are increasing by the minute. In the classroom, our experienced, dedicated teachers will guide you in learning to read, write, speak, and listen in a Russian language that is alive and ever-changing. You’ll acquire all the tools you need to take your language skills to the next level—or the one beyond—and move closer to meeting your career or academic goals. At Middlebury, the cornerstone of our educational philosophy and the key to your success is the Language Pledge. Bound by a promise to speak only Russian, the members of the School of Russian form a community of learners in which intensive language study and expansive personal growth are not the exception, but the rule.
- Summer Language Institute at the University of Pittsburgh (SLI)
Approximately 120 students from all over the U.S. and Canada come to Pitt each summer for the Russian and East European Summer Language Institute. Programs offered include: six-week and eight-week programs in Pittsburgh, as well as a 5+5 program in intensive Russian language (5 weeks in Pittsburgh; 5 weeks at Moscow State University in Russia – maximum 32 participants), a 6+4 program in intensive Polish, Slovak, or Bulgarian languages (6 weeks in Pittsburgh; 4 weeks in Poland, Slovakia, or Bulgaria), a four-week program in Bulgaria for those who have completed beginning-level language, a four-week program in Slovakia for those who have completed beginning-level language, and a unique six-week program in Advanced Mastery of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (2 weeks in Zagreb, Sarajevo and Belgrade). The Moscow program includes an advanced course designed to address the unique educational needs of heritage speakers of Russian. All study-abroad programs include travel and cultural programming in the targeted country. All programs include extracurricular activities such as film viewing, singing, cooking classes and cultural lectures. The study-abroad programs include pre-travel orientations. - Slovene School Primož Trubar
New York, NY
For more information, please contact Marta Stemberger, Executive and Program Director: marta@earinna.com or by phone at (718) 919-0727 - Summer Workshop in Slavic, East European and Central Asian Languages at Indiana University (SWSEEL)
The Summer Workshop provides up to 200 participants in Slavic, East European and Central Asian languages the opportunity to complete a full year of college language instruction during an eight-week summer session. Utilizing the resources of Indiana University's own specialists as well as native speakers from other universities and abroad, the Summer Workshop has developed and maintained a national program of the highest quality. Allowing all participants to pay in-state tuition fees, the program has as its goal the enhancement of speaking, reading, listening and writing skills through classroom instruction and a full range of extra-curricular activities. Fellowships and funding are available. Languages taught in the past include: Azerbaijani, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Czech, Georgian, Hungarian, Kazakh, Macedonian, Mongolian, Pashto, Polish, Romanian, Slovene, Tajik, Turkmen, Ukrainian, Uyghur, and Uzbek - Center for Language Studies at Beloit College
Since 1983 the Center for Language Studies (CLS) at Beloit College has offered students a unique opportunity to achieve a year’s worth of college-level language training in just eight weeks. Languages offered are Arabic, Chinese, Japanes, and Russian. Excellent faculty, small class sizes that allow for individual attention, and twenty-six hours of classroom instruction per week in a beautiful residential environment provide an immersive approach to learning that encourages students to focus exclusively on the target language and culture. For graduate students who receive FLAS funding, the Center for Language Studies will provide an additional grant which will cover the remaining portion of tuition.