1. Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
A Program of the U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

2. Program Overview
Program objective: Broaden the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages.
Launched in 2006
Target group: U.S. undergraduate and graduate students
Over 5,500 applications received and approximately scholarships awarded annually
The CLS Program was launched in 2006 as part of an interagency effort to dramatically increase the number of Americans mastering critical foreign languages. CLS is just one of the programs associated with this effort. From its start with 162 grantees in Arabic, Indic and Turkish, CLS has grown to offer scholarships to about 550 students per year in thirteen different languages.

3. What is CLS? Group-based summer program June – August
5 to 35 participants per institute
Intensive study
20 hours per week of class
Language partners
Cultural program
Equivalent to one year of college-level study
Not a research, independent study, or internship program
HIGHLY STRUCTURED PROGRAM!

4. Thirteen Languages Offered
Language Level
Beginning
Advanced Beginning
Intermediate
Advanced
Arabic ✘ ✔
Azerbaijani
Bangla
Chinese
Hindi
Indonesian
Japanese
Korean
Persian
Punjabi
Russian
Turkish
Urdu
These are the thirteen languages that will be offered for the 2014 CLS Program. This is not the full list of languages that the U.S. government considers critical, but they are the languages offered by CLS.

5. Past Institute Locations
Institute locations are analyzed for safety and security by the local U.S. embassies, so they may change from year to year. It is important to note that in applying for CLS, you are applying for a language and not a country or a specific site. You can mention in your application that you’re interested in a certain site, but placements are made based on a variety of factors, such as language level and the timing of your semesters or quarters, so requests cannot always be taken into consideration.
Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Georgia, Russia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Russia, South Korea, Tajikistan, and Turkey

6. Language Gains
2012 CLS Program OPI Scores, All Languages (N=620)
On average, CLS Participants gained two sublevels on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview, while covering roughly a year’s worth of material.
Participants have their language abilities certified by ACTFL, and can share those scores later with schools and employers.
This chart is from the 2012 cohort. It shows the distribution of OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) scores for CLS students before and after the program. The average gain over the course of the program is 2 sublevels. The post-program OPI grants an official score that can be used on resumes, applications, etc.

7. Eligibility Requirements
U.S. citizenship;
Enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student in U.S.-based university degree program at time of application;
Be at least 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.
More detailed eligibility requirements can be found on our website. Please note that for the last point (health and visa issues) this is not something that applicants need to prove before they apply, and failing to meet these requirements after they are selected will NOT preclude them from reapplying for CLS at a later date, or incur any penalties.

8. Program Benefits
Domestic travel to/from Washington for the required pre-departure orientation;
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.

9. Participant Diversity Snapshot (2014)
10% are STEM majors
Over 30% identify as students of color
Students come from public and private institutions, community colleges, and minority-serving institutions
Nearly all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico represented
Undergraduate students (77%); Graduate students (23%)
Women (57%); Men (43%)
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We count these students because they generally have low participation in study abroad and critical language learning. We encourage students of all disciplines to think about how critical languages can help their careers and to apply for CLS. 30% students of color is a higher percentage than study abroad generally, which is predominantly white. One of the goals of CLS is to represent the full diversity of the U.S. student population, including geographic diversity, institution type and level of study, gender and race and ethnicity.

10. Why Should You Apply?
Structured study abroad programs, such as CLS, make overseas & language immersion experiences accessible and supportive to students from all backgrounds.
CLS offers the opportunity to make rapid gains in a critical-needs foreign language.
You can develop cultural expertise and intercultural skills.
Proficiency in a critical language opens doors to graduate research and employment opportunities, including careers in government and national security.
You’re not only getting experience on the ground overseas- participants form relationships with professionals in your cohort with similar interests and with educators overseas.

11. Overcoming Challenges to Applying
Is CLS for me?
CLS is a structured group program with full-time staff support for students from all backgrounds.
CLS alumni are ready to share experiences and talk about what to expect.
Concerns about financial means?
CLS is fully funded!
Concerns about academic progress?
CLS is summer only, offers academic credit, and helps you to become more competitive for other fellowships and grants.
Concerns about career goals?
CLS offers expanded opportunities for employment and funded graduate study, including in government careers and related industries.
Companies are looking for intercultural skills, experience overseas.
CLS provides exposure to a great network of future professionals.
The CLS Program is relevant to national security and to the U.S. role as a global leader in STEM fields.
Questions about campus resources?
CLS hosts webinars in order to provide resources for students looking to apply for CLS and staff & faculty working with students who may be on campuses with limited resources.
There are many potential resources on campus – think outside the box!
There are common hesitations about studying abroad, causing student to ask “Is this for me?”
Maybe no one in your family has studied abroad, or you think the CLS program is for students from privileged backgrounds.
The CLS Program works to provide greater support for students with little or no prior overseas experience, and can help address student and family concerns about travel abroad.
The CLS Program works hard to address and discuss potential cultural challenges related to adaptation before and during the the program, from Pre-Departure Orientation to active on-program support. There is a Resident Director staff member who is there for the students and can bring up these challenges to the DC office. We also try to connect these students with CLS alumni with similar backgrounds, when possible, to help prepare them and remind them that CLS is here to support them.
Academic Concerns: Academic credit can go towards your degree- 8 semester hours of academic credit through Bryn Mawr College
Academic progress- it can help get students to a higher level of language learning back at their school and beyond.
Career goals
Network: Students come from all across the U.S., from all fields of study, grads, undergrads, and they always comment on how much they have learned from each other about new career ideas
More competitive for other major grant and fellowship programs, including Boren, Fulbright, NSF GRFP, and PMF.
Campus support and resources
For Advisors: Gilman reps or study abroad advisors could also be good places to go for help with the CLS application. Recommend that this person coordinate with foreign language faculty for recruitment and application support. Institutions should register at least one contact on the CLS website so that students can know where to go.
For Students: Underscore that they need to spend time writing multiple drafts of the application essays and should ask for help from the campus advisor or a trusted faculty member. Also mention that they should ask for letters of recommendation asap to give faculty enough time to write strong letters.  

12. Application Becomes Available Mid-September
Online application at
Apply for one language only.
Application is for CLS language.
Not for a specific country or site.
Applicants must prepare:
Unofficial transcripts
Two letters of recommendation
Essay Responses

13. Key Elements of a Successful Application
Make a clear connection between target language and academic/career plans. Talk about:
The importance of the language to your goals;
Your 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.
Ask early! Be polite!
Examples of first bullet point: fully explain your interest and connect it to your career goals. Talk about your challenges and what you have done to pursue your goals
Second bullet: What strengths do you have in your personal and academic life that show you have the skills to handle things and succeed?
-Are there things that make your candidacy unique? Yes! Your app is viewed as a whole, so try to show different sides of your candidacy and your interest in the program- who you are, where you’re coming from (family, previous education), what you’re doing now and your goals for the future.
- Get to know your recommender- tell them about yourself and your interests. University recommenders are better for your app than high school recommenders

14. 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!
Note to presenter: if possible, work in advance of your information session to identify resources at the institution where you’re presenting, or invite a professor or administrator to speak when you get to this slide.

15. Selection Timeline Mid-September Application opens. Mid-November
Application deadline.
1st round of selection
Each application read by two independent readers.
Applicants are notified of advancement in mid-January.
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.
Finalists must accept their awards by mid-late March.

16. Stay Connected with CLS
Website:
Facebook:
Instagram:
@clscholarship
Twitter: @CLSscholarship
YouTube:
Phone: (202)
Other State Department programs: exchanges.state.gov