Hindi: Jaipur, India


Location: Jaipur, India
Dates of program: June 7 - August 20, 2012
Hosting institution: American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS)
Language offered: Hindi
Levels offered: Beginning, intermediate, advanced

Program Structure

The CLS Hindi Program in Jaipur, India is flexible, learner oriented and tailored to the needs of the participants. The goals of the program are language acquisition and cultural immersion. Language classes cover the concepts of grammar, conversation, pronunciation, journal writing, and dictation that hone the four skills of language development – listening, speaking, reading and writing. The CLS Program works with students to set both short and long term learning goals, and the faculty works collectively and individually to help students achieve these goals throughout the summer institute.

In addition to formal evaluations such as tests and quizzes, student–teacher meetings are held every week to discuss student progress and language learning goals. Classes are held five days a week from 9am until 1pm. In the afternoons, students complete homework, in addition to participating in tutoring, cultural activities, and language partner activities. Weekly activities supplement the formal classroom instruction and include local trips, guest lectures, monolingual guests, and music and dance performances. Each student works with his or her instructors to complete an independent project during the CLS institute. Students present their research and projects to the group during the final week of the program.

CLS Hindi students in the hills of Mount Abu, on a cultural excursion.

CLS participants live with host families to maximize language learning and the cultural immersion experience.

The American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) is the host of the CLS Hindi Program in India. AIIS is a consortium of 64 American universities with South Asia Studies Centers and is recognized by the Government of India as an institution of higher learning and research. The Hindi program is located in Jaipur in Rajasthan, a region where the mix of religious traditions, Hindu, Muslim and Jain, contribute to the rich cultural environment.

Outcomes

In 2010, the CLS Program adopted the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) as an additional measure of the effectiveness and quality of the institutes overseas. Before the program, students take a diagnostic OPI test; at the end of their 8-week course of study, they take an ACTFL-certified post-program OPI assessment. The scores on these tests give students a concrete, widely-recognized measure of their speaking skills. In addition, students’ writing and reading abilities are assessed throughout the program in a variety of ways.

Student Activities

CLS Hindi students participating in cultural enrichment experience.

In 2011, several students volunteered with the organizations Pravah and Shakti Stambh. Pravah is a non government organization (NGO) that works with young people to impact issues of social justice through youth citizenship action programs. Shakti Stambh is a women’s organization run by the Rajasthan Women’s Association. It provides protection and shelter to abused girls and women.

Alumni Highlights

2009 CLS Hindi participant Ameya Pawar was elected Alderman to Chicago City Council in 2011. He is the first Indian American on the council and shares the importance of his CLS Program experience on his website.

Program Highlights

View videos, read highlights, and more on the CLS Blog!

Alumni Ambassadors



Krish Varma, '10	Jessica Sarrantonio, '11	Jessica Ludd, '10 (Punjabi)	Tori Badgett, '11 (Urdu)	Travis Glynn, '11 (Urdu)