Central Asian Turkic Languages Overseas Flagship Program

Program Summary
Administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS, the Central Asian Turkic Languages Overseas Flagship Program addresses the critical need for U.S. professionals to be able to speak, read, write, and understand Central Asian languages at the highest levels of functional proficiency. As such it is designed to raise the target language proficiency of students to the “superior” or “professional” level (ILR 3, 3+, 4/ACTFL "Superior" or "Distinguished" Levels) through an intensive program tailored to students' professional interests and academic specializations. The program is hosted by several universities and language centers throughout Central Asia and entails nine months of intensive language study. It features formal coursework in discourse development, individualized tutorials, biweekly excursions, and home-stays with local families. Participants benefit from extensive opportunities for professionally focused language development and language utilization through regular university courses in their area of specialization and internships with local organizations. Graduate students and working professionals who have already achieved the Advanced-Mid or Advanced-High level in at least two modalities are eligible to apply for this program. Heritage speakers are also welcome to apply. Students receive academic credit for graduate-level courses through Bryn Mawr College. Support services include mandatory pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C.; accident and illness insurance; a full-time U.S. resident director; and American Councils offices in Washington, D.C. and Central Asia.

Languages: Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, and Uzbek
Locations: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Duration: 9 months

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible candidates will be selected on a competitive basis upon demonstration of "advanced" proficiency in a Central Asian Turkic language equivalent to the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 2/2+ or to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) "Advanced-Mid" or "Advanced-High level”. The required minimum language proficiency needs to be demonstrated in at least two modalities (speaking, listening, reading and writing) on the basis of oral interviews and written testing.

The program is open to graduate degree candidates, heritage speakers, and working professionals. Successful candidates will need to show strong motivation to achieve "professional" language proficiency in a Central Asian Turkic language and preferably have some record of positive immersion experience in the former Soviet Union.

Academic Program

• Intensive small-group instruction at local universities
• Guest speakers and frequent weekly excursions
• Daily meetings with individual language tutors who are selected from professors teaching at local universities
• Discipline-based course in the participant's area of specialization (Fall semester)
• Professional internship (Spring semester)

The following is the number of hours per week devoted to each component:

Formal language learning is further reinforced through the following Informal Components:

• Home-stays with a local host family
• Opportunities to engage in local service projects (local schools, orphanages, health services, and other areas of student interest)
• Optional special interest activities (sports, music, theater)

Specialization Courses
In the first semester, program participants will audit one subject-area course or seminar alongside Central Asian university students. Program staff will help participants identify a course in the area of current or potential professional interest to them.

Internships
In the second semester, all participants will undertake professional internships reflecting their chosen field of interest at cooperating local or international organizations. American Councils staff will make site visits to internship locations to evaluate the appropriateness of the internship, provide support for the student, and to help build relationships for future participants, where appropriate.

Cultural Program
Central Asia is an intensely beautiful and extremely diverse region with high mountains, boundless steppes and dusty deserts. Exploring Central Asia is by far the best way to experience it and gain a unique insight into its languages, culture and history. With this in mind, we have made frequent excursions and cultural events an essential part of this program.

Excursions and Events
Short and long excursions to various locations around the Central Asian countryside are offered as a part of the Flagship Program. Potential trips could be to scenic locations, historical sites, sporting events, wedding, or other celebrations. These excursions and events serve as learning activities and provide a fascinating opportunity to learn about Central Asian history and culture, while also complementing the curriculum and contributing to steady linguistic progress.

The Homestay Program
American Councils' host-family program began in 1993 and has become a very popular feature of the exchange experience, as it contributes to language acquisition and a deeper understanding of Central Asian culture. The home stay offers a satisfying cultural experience and complements the academic portion of the program in a positive way.

All families are chosen through a careful selection process and monitored throughout the program by the local homestay coordinator. Placements are made with consideration for student preferences and special requirements. In addition, best efforts are made to match students with families who share their interests. Each location is checked for security, relative proximity to the university and transportation routes, fire safety, and overall living conditions.

Funding
Full fellowships are available to qualified applicants from The Language Flagship. For an application and more information please visit the Institute for International Education's website.

Partial overseas funding may also be available through American Councils from the U.S. Department of State (Title VIII) and the U.S. Department of Education (Fulbright-Hays). For more information about these fellowship opportunities, please contact American Councils at: .

Other Sources of Financial Aid
Some of the best sources of funding for American Councils programs can be found at a potential applicant’s home institution. Universities, colleges, and state and federal governments make funding for study abroad available to students through college or university financial aid or international programs offices. Applicants should consult with the financial aid counselors in these offices well in advance of the time they wish to participate in the program. It is the responsibility of the applicant to understand the requirements and deadlines of their home institution regarding all financial aid funds. Since institutions differ in this respect, only the financial aid office can tell an applicant what types of aid they permit to use for the program, and what an individual must do to transfer their aid.

Contact Information
American Councils for International Education is the coordinating organization for the Central Asian Turkic Languages Flagship Program. http://flagship.americancouncils.org/splash.php

American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS
1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202 833 7522
Fax: 202 833 7523
E-mail: