Critical Languages Institute

CLI+: Language Training for ROTC

OVERVIEW [ Languages | Academics | Details | Apply ]

CLI+ is a summer program training ROTC cadets and midshipmen in the strategic languages of Russian, Persian, Tatar, & Uzbek. The CLI+ program combines:

  1. Eight weeks summer language training at the ASU Critical Languages Institute
  2. Three weeks study abroad in the ASU Summer Language Practicum
  3. A hands-on research or service project in the host language, in the host country.

(DoD funding may be available for cadets and midshipmen to study Albanian, Armenian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Macedonian, or Polish. Consult your unit to see what funding sources you qualify for.)

ACADEMICS [ Overview | Languages | Details | Apply ]

CLI+ has three parts:

  1. Intensive Summer Classes (2009 June 8 to July 31): Cadets/Midshipmen participate in intensive, accelerated language and culture training at the ASU Critical Languages Institute, corresponding to one year of academic instruction. Participants receive 8 ASU credits.
  2. Summer Study Abroad (2009 August 3 to August 21): Cadets who maintain a "B" average or better in the first half of the CLI program and who receive positive recommendations from their instructors and ASU ROTC personnel, continue their training at a CLI training hub overseas (Kazan in Russia for Russian and Tatar, Dushanbe in Tajikistan for Tajik-Persian and Uzbek). Here they continue their language training, but with a heavier emphasis on cultural knowledge. Cadets live with host families who speak the language they are studying. Lessons incorporate visits to sites of historical and cultural importance. Participants receive 2 college credits for this training.
  3. Summer Project Each cadet is expected to participate in a joint project with peer partners from their host country. Cadets develop these projects during the first eight weeks of the summer, under the supervision of their instructors. During the study-abroad portion of the program, cadets work in person with their peer partners to implement the project.

In addition, ASU offers Fall, and Spring distance-learning maintenance courses for CLI+ participants. These not-for-credit sessions help cadets returning to CLI+ for intermediate or advanced work maintain their fluency if they are unable to study their language during the academic year.

DETAILS [ Overview | Languages | Academics | Apply ]

Dormitory housing and meal cards are provided free of charge for all CLI+ cadets and midshipmen. Participants may opt out of these plans and make their own arrangements, at their own expense.

CLI+ is run by Arizona State University personnel in cooperation with the ASU Army and Air Force ROTC detachments. As an ASU program, CLI is open to all students. CLI+ participants study alongside non-ROTC students.

ASU’s ROTC facilities and support services are available to all CLI+ cadets and midshipmen. PT opportunities are provided. Full details will be provided to participants selected for the program. CLI+ provides funding for tuition, room & board at Arizona, travel to the study abroad site, instructional fees at the study abroad site, insurance, room and board at the study abroad site, visas, and books. Cadets should check with their detachments about the availability of summer internship pay, travel to and from Arizona, and other benefits that differ across services. Expenses not covered include: passport application, parking, and inoculations.

CLI+ has a limited number of openings. Participants will be selected on a competitive basis.

Application deadline: April 1, 2009

[ CLI+ Application Form ]

CLI+ 2009 is supported by the Department of Defense's National Security Education Program (NSEP) through a grant from the Institute of International Education (IIE).

THE LANGUAGES [ Overview | Academics | Details | Apply ]

Russian
Russian is a Slavic language spoken by 277 million people in Russia and 30 other countries. See the Omniglot Russian page for more information and resources. Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Russian are available in the CLI. (See below.)

Persian
Persian is spoken by 4 million people in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and an several other countries with large emigre. The dialects of Persian are extremely similar. The CLI program concentrates on Tajik and Farsi. See the Omniglot Tajik page and the Omniglot Farsi page for more information and resources. Elementary and Intermediate Persian are available in the CLI. (See below.)

Tatar
Tatar is a Turkic language spoken by 7 million people, mostly in the Tatar Republic, a constituent state within the Russian Federation. Tatar is related to Turkish, Uzbek, Azerbaijani, and other Turkic languages. See the Omniglot Tatar page for more information and resources. Elementary and Intermediate Tatar are available in the CLI. (See below.)

Uzbek
Uzbek is a Turkic language spoken by 17 million people, mostly in Uzbekistan and western Tajikistan. Uzbek is related to Turkish, Tatar, Azerbaijani, and other Turkic languages. See the Omniglot Uzbek page for more information and resources. Elementary Uzbek is available in the CLI in 2009.