Explore Persian 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 live on the sprawling Arizona State University campus alongside faculty and staff while, speaking, studying, and living in Persian.
Arizona State University is a large, metropolitan university. The main campus, housing over 64,000 students, is located in Tempe, 15 minutes by light rail from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Emblematic of the lively, eclectic atmosphere of Tempe is the city's main street, Mill Avenue.
Explore the tabs below to learn more about the Persian course offerings at CLI.
Course Options
First-year Persian in Tempe, Arizona
First-year Persian in Tempe, Arizona
First-year Persian provides beginners a solid introduction to Persian 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 Persian, 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 Persian culture through authentic materials and media, as well as activities in Persian and structured interactions with Persian speakers.
First-year Persian combines 4 hours a day of classroom instruction as well daily informal activities in Persian led by facilitators representing Persian-speaking communities from around the world.
Second-year Persian in Tempe, Arizona
Second-year Persian in Tempe, Arizona
Students will solidify their command of Persian and raise their listening, speaking, and communicative skills to the Intermediate Low level or better. Graduates will be able to comfortably interact in Persian for day-to-day life and to read texts on familiar topics with ease.
The program introduces Persian culture through authentic materials and media, as well as activities in Persian and structured interactions with Persian speakers.
First-year Persian combines 4 hours a day of classroom instruction as well daily informal activities in Persian led by facilitators representing Persian-speaking communities from around the world.
Funding Options
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 $1,500 for superior applicants to study critical languages at CLI.
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.
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.
About Critical Languages Institute Language Programs
Costs
Program 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.
Dates and Times
Dates and Times
Russian and Indonesian in Tempe, Arizona:
May 22nd - July 14th, 2023
Monday - Friday, 8:30AM - 12:40PM
Language programs in Tempe, Arizona (Excluding Russian and Indonesian):
May 30th - July 14th, 2023
Monday - Friday, 8:30AM - 12:40PM
Language programs abroad:
June 19th - August 11th, 2023
Monday - Friday
4-week extension programs abroad:
July 19th - August 11th, 2023
Monday - Friday
Credit and Syllabi
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.
Housing and Meals
Housing and Meals
CLI offers language-oriented on-campus housing at one of Arizona State University's Tempe campus dormitories.
ASU typically offers double-occupancy rooms for $35*/day, with bathrooms shared between two double-occupancy rooms. 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. Bed linens are available to rent for an additional one-time $45* charge.
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.
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 prices and descriptions on this page are based on 2022 pricing and are subject to change. Once ASU provides us with 2022 pricing, we will update this page accordingly. 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
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.