American Institute of Indian Studies

LANGUAGE STUDY IN INDIA

_{INTERMEDIATE HINDI - SUMMER 2008}

DEADLINE: Jan. 31, 2008

Eligibility

This is an intensive immersion-type language program at the intermediate level for undergraduate and graduate students at U.S. colleges and universities. Students applying for this program should have the equivalent of one year of prior classroom instruction. Students are expected to integrate the language and the culture in meaningful ways in an environment where Hindi is used all around. It is important for the target language to be both grammatical and socio-culturally appropriate and such immersion programs provide the best opportunities for learning such fine-spun distinctions.

Program Dates

The program will be held for ten weeks in Jaipur (Rajasthan) from June 16 to August 22, 2008. Students are expected to report in Delhi on Saturday, June 14 night for orientation on June 15 and proceed to Jaipur the following day on June 16 for local orientation. AIIS will assist in making necessary arrangements in Delhi, for transportation from Delhi to Jaipur if needed and in Jaipur.

Language Program

Participants are expected to devote their energies to activities that will increase their proficiency in all skills--speaking, listening, reading, and writing. For ten weeks at a specially organized summer program at the intermediate level, there will be at least four hours a day of classroom instruction and individual tutorials with regular out-of-class assignments requiring interaction with community members at all levels. Attendance is mandatory in class as well as at other activities such as cultural visits, films, and plays. Participants will be encouraged to participate in activities of local NGOs where Hindi is used. The program lays special emphasis on connecting with the local speech community and self-management of learning. Participants are encouraged to identify and prioritize their language learning needs and keep track of their language development. Students are encouraged to stay with host families. Dependents or friends not enrolled in the program may not accompany students.

Credits

At the conclusion of the ten-week program, AIIS will be able to issue a performance report on the basis of which students can approach their home institutions to give them equivalent credit for their institutional transcripts. It is advised that students should clarify this situation with their advisors before sending in their applications.

Program Cost

The tuition fee for the program is $2500. Applicants should seek funding for the program from their home institution or other sources. Graduate students can apply to their home institutions for Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships, which are sufficient for travel, host family stay (approx. $125 per month) and maintenance and the tuition fee. Funding for the program may be available through the U.S. State Department's CLS program. For information see www.caorc.org.