Critical Language Scholarship Program

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State that provides immersive summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to the United States' national security and economic prosperity. Participants receive the equivalent of one year of language study in eight weeks through intensive language instruction and cultural activities that reinforce both language learning and intercultural competence. Since 2006, the CLS Program has supported over 10,000 U.S. undergraduate and graduate students. CLS alumni represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The program offers instruction in nine critical languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili. Scholars develop key language expertise in an environment designed to maximize language gains at every level. Alumni apply their critical language skills in a variety of professional fields in public and private sectors as well as government, helping to support America's competitiveness. CLS scholars also serve as citizen diplomats, representing the breadth of the United States and helping spread American values while developing mutual understanding with people of other countries.