Announcing 2024-2025 CLS Refresh: A New Opportunity for CLS Alumni to Continue Their Language Journey!
Are you a Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program alum looking to enhance your language skills? Well, great news! The CLS Program is thrilled to announce the 2024-2025 CLS Refresh, an exciting opportunity for CLS alumni to continue their critical language studies through virtual language instruction. This initiative is aimed at supporting alumni in their ongoing commitment to mastering critical languages while providing a flexible, funded opportunity to do so.
The CLS Refresh is designed to offer language tutoring to alumni from October 2024 to March 2025. This initiative will give CLS alumni access to personalized, one-on-one virtual language lessons at no cost, allowing participants to maintain and improve their language proficiency after completing the CLS Program.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024-2025 CLS Refresh, from what it offers to how you can apply.
What Is CLS Refresh?
The CLS Refresh program was launched as a way to help CLS alumni maintain and strengthen their critical language skills beyond the scope of the original program. It recognizes that language learning is an ongoing process that requires continual practice, and the CLS Refresh offers alumni a structured environment to continue honing their skills.
This 2024-2025 cycle of CLS Refresh will run between October 2024 and March 2025, and it’s designed with flexibility in mind to accommodate alumni’s busy schedules. Participants will have the opportunity to work with language instructors on a personalized basis, focusing on the areas they need the most help with to continue growing their language abilities.
Who Is Eligible for CLS Refresh?
All CLS Program alumni are eligible to apply for CLS Refresh, no matter when or where they participated in the CLS Program. Whether you completed the CLS Program in 2024 or years ago, this opportunity is available to you. Additionally, alumni who participated in all types of CLS Program languages—whether virtual, in-person, or a combination of both—can apply.
However, there are a few important eligibility points to consider:
CLS alumni from 2024 must have completed all post-program requirements in order to be considered in good standing. This will be verified by the CLS Program.
Alumni must apply to study one CLS Refresh language, and it must be a language they previously studied during their time in the CLS Program.
Special note for CLS Russian alumni: You may apply to study either Russian or Ukrainian as your tutoring language. Starting in 2023, Ukrainian tutoring was introduced as a new and exciting addition to the program, offering Russian alumni a chance to acquire Ukrainian language skills to support critical cross-cultural partnerships and research.
What Does CLS Refresh Offer?
Alumni selected for the 2024-2025 CLS Refresh will receive several incredible benefits designed to boost their language learning experience. The program provides:
Up to five hours per week of virtual instruction. This allows flexibility for U.S. and host country holidays.
A maximum of 20 hours of virtual language instruction in total, spread over two terms:
- Term 1: October 21, 2024 – December 20, 2024
- Term 2: January 6, 2025 – March 28, 2025
These one-on-one tutoring sessions offer a valuable opportunity for CLS alumni to deepen their language skills with the personalized guidance of experienced language instructors. The instruction will take place virtually, meaning participants can engage in lessons from the comfort of their own homes—no need to travel to a classroom.
Flexibility and Time Commitment
The CLS Refresh is designed to be as flexible as possible to fit around the busy lives of alumni. Participants can choose from available language tutoring times that accommodate different time zones, including early morning or late evening hours in the U.S. The virtual nature of the instruction means that even though you’re in different locations, you can continue to learn and progress at a pace that works for you.
How to Apply for the 2024-2025 CLS Refresh
Interested in applying for the 2024-2025 CLS Refresh? The application process is straightforward, but you’ll need to act quickly as the deadline is approaching!
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2024-2025 CLS Refresh must be submitted by Monday, September 16, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET. Don’t miss this opportunity to continue your language studies!
Selection Criteria
The CLS Program will review all completed applications and select participants based on the capacity of each language institute. Priority will be given to certain groups, including:
Veterans of the United States armed forces
Alumni who have not previously participated in the CLS Refresh or CLS Ukrainian Bridge
The application review process will focus on alumni who are committed to enhancing their language skills and contributing to critical cross-cultural partnerships in the future.
What You Need to Apply
To apply for the CLS Refresh, you’ll need to gather the following:
- Your availability: Indicate which term (or terms) you are available for language instruction, and the times you’re generally available for tutoring.
- Language selection: Choose the CLS Refresh language you wish to study—this must be a language you previously studied in the CLS Program. If you are a CLS Russian alum, you have the exciting option to apply for Ukrainian language tutoring!
- Time zone considerations: Take note that some language tutoring sessions may take place during unconventional hours due to time zone differences. Be sure to review the general timeframes offered for your chosen language.
Once your application is ready, submit it online by the September 16 deadline. Selected alumni will be notified by the start of October 2024 and will work with their assigned host institutes to finalize a tutoring schedule.
Who Is Ineligible for CLS Refresh?
While CLS Refresh is open to most alumni, there are a few groups of individuals who are not eligible to participate. These include:
Employees of the U.S. Department of State who work under the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
Employees of private or public agencies under contract or grant with the U.S. Department of State, specifically related to the Critical Language Scholarship Program.
Immediate family members (spouses and dependent children) of the individuals described above.
However, part-time employees, interns, and consultants who do not work directly on the CLS Program are eligible to apply.
Why CLS Refresh Is a Game-Changer
The 2024-2025 CLS Refresh is a unique chance for CLS alumni to continue their language learning journey, enhance their skills, and maintain their connection to the critical language community. Alumni who participate in the CLS Refresh will not only strengthen their language abilities but also position themselves for future opportunities in global research, cross-cultural communication, and industry work.
For those who studied Russian in the CLS Program, the option to study Ukrainian opens up exciting new doors. The introduction of Ukrainian tutoring in 2023 is a groundbreaking opportunity that allows CLS Russian alumni to diversify their language skills and engage in critical cross-cultural partnerships that require knowledge of both Russian and Ukrainian.
The Value of Continued Language Learning
Mastering a critical language is a lifelong commitment, and the CLS Refresh recognizes that learning doesn’t stop after the CLS Program ends. This opportunity allows alumni to stay connected to their language studies and keep their skills sharp, all while receiving personalized tutoring from experienced instructors.
Apply Now for CLS Refresh 2024-2025
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to continue your language learning journey with the 2024-2025 CLS Refresh. With personalized virtual instruction, flexible scheduling, and no cost to participants, this program offers the perfect way for alumni to stay engaged with their language studies.
Remember, the application deadline is Monday, September 16, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET. Apply now and take the next step in your critical language journey!
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