Explore Kazakh at CLI

The Critical Languages Institute is a national training institute for less commonly taught languages, offering summer intensive courses and study-abroad programs around the world.

Every summer, CLI brings students from across the U.S. together to develop their linguistic and cultural competency rapidly and effectively through intensive in-person immersion programs. Students have the opportunity to live on the sprawling Arizona State University campus alongside faculty and staff while speaking, studying, and living in Kazakh.

At Nazarbayev University's Summer School in Russian and Eurasian Studies, Kazakh language courses are taught using the communicative method of instruction through linguistic and cultural immersion. Students are placed into appropriate groups according to their levels of proficiency as defined in ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Courses are taught by professionals trained in current methodologies and experienced in teaching international students. 

Explore the tabs below to learn more about the Kazakh course offerings at CLI.

Applications are Open Now

Deadline: March 29, 2024

 Apply Here 

Kazakh

First-year Kazakh Online

First-year Kazakh Online

First-year Kazakh provides beginners a solid introduction to Kazakh grammar and conversation. Students who complete the course successfully will reach a proficiency of Novice High or Intermediate Low.
Students will be able to communicate in day-to-day situations in Kazakh, will be able to read and write effectively on familiar topics, and will have a solid foundation for further study or travel.
The program introduces Kazakh culture through authentic materials and media, as well as activities in Kazakh and structured interactions with Kazakh speakers.
First-year Kazakh combines 4 hours a day of classroom instruction as well daily informal activities in Kazakh led by facilitators representing Kazakh-speaking communities from around the world. Classes may be held between 7 am - 11 pm MST.
The online program will enable students to take regular virtual excursions to various cities and sites in Kazakhstan, hosted by student tutors, as well as instructors, and program staff. The virtual platform will enable students to experience Kazakhstan, well beyond the city of Nur-Sultan.
CLI's Kazakh program is developed by the ASU Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies in partnership with the Summer School in Russian and Eurasian Studies (SSRES) at Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Dates:  June 3 - July 26

Program Fee

The Kazakh program fee of $3,200* includes:

  • 160 hours of instruction
  • 8 academic credits

It does not include:

  • summer housing
  • meals
  • transportation
  • personal expenses

*All prices and descriptions on this page are subject to change. Participants are responsible for checking current prices and details before signing billing, housing, or meal contracts

Apply Now

Second-year Kazakh Online

Second-year Kazakh Online

Second-year Kazakh students enrolled in this program's introductory course will immerse themselves in Kazakh culture while strengthening their mastery of the language through specially designed courses and extramural activities.
The online program will enable students to take regular virtual excursions to various cities and sites in Kazakhstan, hosted by student tutors, as well as instructors, and program staff. The virtual platform will enable students to experience Kazakhstan, well beyond the city of Nur-Sultan.  Classes may be held between 7 am - 11 pm MST.
CLI's Kazakh program is developed by the ASU Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies in partnership with the Summer School in Russian and Eurasian Studies (SSRES) at Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Dates:  June 2 - July 26

Program Fee

The Kazakh program fee of $3,200* includes:
  • 160 hours of instruction
  • 8 academic credits
It does not include:
  • summer housing
  • meals
  • transportation
  • personal expenses
*All prices and descriptions on this page are subject to change. Participants are responsible for checking current prices and details before signing billing, housing, or meal contracts

Apply Now

Third-year Kazakh Online

Third-year Kazakh Online

Third-Year Kazakh is designed to help advanced students and heritage speakers reach professional proficiency. Topics include discipline-specific terminology, control of register (tone) in speaking and writing,    understanding indirect cultural references, non-verbal cues, and nuance, and learning to "read between the lines" in Kazakh. Students will develop the advanced communication skills they need to become successful intercultural communicators and to function in a professional capacity.
The online program will enable students to take regular virtual excursions to various cities and sites in Kazakhstan, hosted by student tutors, as well as instructors, and program staff. The virtual platform will enable students to experience Kazakhstan, well beyond the city of Nur-Sultan.  Classes may be held between 7 am - 11 pm MST.
CLI's Kazakh program is developed by the ASU Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies in partnership with the Summer School in Russian and Eurasian Studies (SSRES) at Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Dates:  June 3 - July 26

Program Fee

The Kazakh program fee of $3,200* includes:
  • 160 hours of instruction
  • 8 academic credits
It does not include:
  • summer housing
  • meals
  • transportation
  • personal expenses
*All prices and descriptions on this page are subject to change. Participants are responsible for checking current prices and details before signing billing, housing, or meal contracts

Apply Now

Funding Options

Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships program provides allocations of academic year and summer fellowships to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education to assist meritorious undergraduate students and graduate students undergoing training in modern foreign languages and related area or international studies. Eligible students apply for fellowships directly to an institution that has received an allocation of fellowships from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Melikian Center offers both academic year and summer-length FLAS Fellowships. The application for both Academic year and Summer 2024 FLAS Fellowships will close on January 31st, 2024.

The Summer 2024 Foreign Language & Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS) provides eligible students with a $3,500 stipend and $5,000 in tuition during the Summer 2023 semester for funding intermediate and/or intensive study of Albanian, Armenian, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS), Kazakh, Macedonian, Persian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Tatar, Turkish, Ukrainian, or Uzbek domestically or abroad.

A separate application is required to apply for this funding opportunity.

Learn More

Title VIII Graduate Awards

Title VIII Funding

The Department of State's Title VIII program funds graduate students with U.S. citizenship to study less commonly taught languages.

Students who apply for an Arizona-only program may receive up to $5,100.  Students who apply for an Arizona program with a 4-week abroad extension may receive up to $11,000.  Students who apply for an 8-week study abroad program through CLI may receive up to $11,000.

Past CLI Title VIII fellows can be awarded the fellowship up to two more times, for a maximum of up to 3 fellowship awards, as long as they maintain their graduate student eligibility.

A separate application is required to apply for this funding opportunity.

Learn More

Melikian Center Awards Program

Melikian Center Awards Program

Supported by the Melikian Center's endowment and by private donations, the Melikian Center Awards Program provides scholarships of up to $1,750 for superior applicants to study critical languages at CLI's domestic programs and up to $4,000 towards CLI's study abroad offerings.

This funding opportunity is open to all CLI applicants. High school, community college, and non-students are especially encouraged to apply.

A separate application is required to apply for this funding opportunity.

Learn More

Need-Based Fee Reduction

Need-Based Fee Reduction

The Melikian Center offers up to a $1,000 reduction of the published CLI program fee for qualified Pell Grant eligible students and non-students with an annual family income of $50,000 or less. This $1,000 reduction applies to Tempe-based or study abroad programs. Please note that a limited number of fee reductions are available; not all students who apply will receive a need-based fee reduction.

To qualify for this funding opportunity, please indicate your Pell Grant eligibility on your general CLI program application.

A separate application is not required to apply for this funding opportunity.

Learn More

About Critical Languages Institute Language Programs

Costs

Thanks to ASU institutional support, CLI does not charge tuition (in-state or out-of-state) for its credit-bearing courses. Instead of tuition fees, we charge a flat administrative fee of $1,750* for all domestic programs in Tempe. Please note that this fee covers academics only; it does not cover room and board, travel, study abroad program fees, books, or insurance.

This fee is the same regardless of language and number of credits taken. In-country extension programs may have additional fees.

*All prices and descriptions on this page subject to change. Participants are responsible for checking current prices and details before signing billing, housing, or meal contracts. For information about our reduced program fees for low income/Pell Grant eligible students, please see the Funding Options tab.

2024 Program

Domestic

Tuition and Fees 

Domestic Tuition and Fees 

+ 4 Week Study Abroad

8 Week

Study Abroad

Housing 

All Domestic Language Programs

$1,7501*

ASU Housing Available

OR Self-arranged off-campus

All ONLINE Domestic

Language Programs

$1,7501*

Albanian in Tirana, Albania

$4,1002*

$9,0003*

Homestays

Armenian in Yerevan, Armenia

$2,1002*

$4,6003*

Campus Housing

BCS in Sarajevo, Bosnia

$2,7002*

$6,5003*

Apartments

Indonesian in Denpasar, Indonesia 

TBD

TBD3*

Homestay

Russian in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

$4,1002*

$8,0003*

Homestay

Ukrainian in Warsaw, Poland

$8,1004*

Hotel

Polish in Warsaw, Poland $8,1004* Hotel
Uzbek in Tashkent $3,5002* $6,8003*

Hotel

Kazakh ONLINE (taught from

Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan)

$3,200* (international fee)

1:Price does not include books, room, board, ASU student registration, or other incidentals.

2: Price does not include books, room, board, ASU student registration, or other incidentals for the domestic portion. Price does include housing while abroad. Check individual language pages for more information on meals, excursions, and other covered costs. Visa fees and airfare are not included.

3: Check individual language pages for more information on meals, excursions, and other covered costs. Visa fees and airfare are not included. Price does include housing while abroad.

4:Check individual language pages for more information on meals, excursions, and other covered costs. Visa fees and airfare are not included. Price does not include housing while abroad.

* All prices are subject to change.

Dates and Times

Russian in Tempe, Arizona:
May 20th - July 12th, 2024
Monday - Friday, 8:30AM - 12:40PM

Language programs in Tempe, Arizona (excluding Russian)
May 28th - July 12th, 2024
Monday - Friday, 8:30AM - 12:40PM

8-week Language programs abroad (most):
June 17th - August 9th, 2024
Monday - Friday

4-week extension programs abroad:
July 15th - August 9th, 2024
Monday - Friday

Kazakh Online program (taught from Kazakhstan): June 03 - July 26**

**Dates subject to change!

Credit and Syllabi

Most CLI programs offer 8-10 undergraduate credits, though there are exceptions. All 4-week extension programs offer an additional 3 credits under the SLC 494 course designation.

Please view your program's course syllabus for detailed information.

Learn More

Housing and Meals

CLI offers language-oriented on-campus housing at one of Arizona State University's Tempe campus dormitories.

Students typically stay in double-occupancy rooms for $40* per day, with bathrooms shared between two double-occupancy rooms. This year ASU has instituted conference pricing at $115* per night which overlaps the beginning of our CLI programs.  With this new 2023 pricing structure, housing costs for our 7-week and 8-week programs are as follows:

7 weeks: May 26 - July 13  -  $2105

8 weeks: May 19 - July 13  -  $3025

ASU has a very limited supply of single-occupancy rooms. Participants who wish to live in an ASU dormitory and require rooms with ADA accommodations should email cli@asu.edu as soon as possible.

Typical amenities include laundry facilities, kitchen facilities, vending machines, air conditioning, and basic cable.  Kitchens are usually shared among residents of the hall and the CLI language clubs. CLI does not provide supplies for kitchen areas.  Bed linens are available to rent for an additional one-time $50* charge.

CLI students are not required to live in the ASU dorm or to eat on campus. Private summer sublets are available near campus; price and quality vary. CLI does not assist with off campus housing arrangements. 

CLI participants may eat on campus or may make their own meal arrangements. ASU offers a food court in the student union. CLI does not offer a meal plan for any of its on-campus programs. 

*All housing prices and descriptions on this page have been updated to 2023 pricing. Participants are responsible for checking current prices and details before signing billing, housing, or meal contracts.

Housing options for study abroad programs may vary.

Depending on program selection, students will live in dormitories, apartment-style housing, or with family home stays for the duration of their program. Further details will be provided to applicants via their application portal.

Placement Testing

If you are applying for a 2nd-year course or higher, you must take a placement test before the start of your program. Each language test will consists of a short test or writing sample. Placement tests will be calibrated to account for mid-semester progress at the time of testing.

CLI 2024 Information

Stay informed about the latest information on scholarships and application deadlines.

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