Wanted: free-lance language testers

The National Center for Language Assessment is seeking native speakers of many of the languages of the region we study and teach to train to be free-lance language testers.

The languages of interest include:

Armenian, Azerbaijani/Azeri, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Chechen, Czech, Estonian, Georgian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Kurdish Kurmanji, Kurdish Sorani, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbian Croatian, Slovak, Slovenia, Tajik, Turkish, Turkmen, Uighur, Ukrainian, and Uzbek.

Please see the announcement below, share it with any folks in your networks who might be a fit for this work!

If you or your friends/colleagues have any questions, please connect with the NCLA (by email at ilrtestertraining@actfl.org) as per the instructions in the announcement itself (below).

2026-2027 Russian Study Abroad programs in Daugavpils, Latvia

Learn Russian in the European Union (Daugavpils, Latvia) is accepting applications for the following 2026-2027 Russian study abroad programs:

    - Summer Russian Language and Area Studies Program, 5 weeks.

    - Summer Intensive Russian Language Program, 6 weeks.

    - Fall Semester and Spring Semester Programs.

    - Two-week Intensive Russian Language Program in August, 2026 and January, 2027.

 

2026 SUMMER RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND AREA STUDIES PROGRAM, 5 weeks

Program dates                               May 24 - June 26, 2026

Total in-class ac.hours              117

Russian class level                      Intermediate Low, Intermediate

Credits                                              9 ECTS Russian, 3 ECTS Area Studies

 

2026 SUMMER INTENSIVE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM, 6 weeks

Program dates                               June 29 - August 7, 2026

Total in-class ac.hours              140

Russian class level                      Intermediate, Advanced

Credits                                              12 ECTS Russian

 

TWO-WEEK INTENSIVE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM

Program dates                               August 17 – 28, 2026 / January 11 – 22, 2027

Total in-class ac.hours              40

Communication practice         10   

Russian class level                      Intermediate, Advanced

Credits                                               not available

 

2026 FALL SEMESTER / 2027 SPRING SEMESTER

The following study options are available:

    - Russian Language and Political Science;

    - Russian Language and East European Studies;

    - Russian Language, Literature, and Culture.

 

Optional pre-semester              August 17, 2026 / January 11, 2027

Semester dates                             August 31 - December 18, 2026 / January 25 - May 14, 2027

Total in-class ac.hours              320

Russian class level                      Intermediate Low, Intermediate, Advanced

Credits                                               30 ECTS

 

 

PROGRAMS INCLUDE (SEE THE PROGRAM DETAILS)

    - Credit transfer at Daugavpils University.

    - Homestays with vetted and trained Russian host families, 16 meals per week.

    - Exciting excursions, study trips around the Baltic states, and a cultural program.

    - Airport pick-up and two-way transfer, local insurance, 24/7 in-country support, and many more.

 

DAUGAVPILS

    - Daugavpils is a unique place – a Russian-language enclave, the largest Russian-speaking city in the European Union. Daugavpils is the second largest city in Latvia.

    - In Daugavpils, nearly everyone is a native or bilingual Russian speaker. Modern standard Russian is the language of daily communication. Students experience full language immersion.

    - Daugavpils was once part of both the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. The city has a remarkable historical legacy tied to Russia and Russian-European relations. We offer the best combination of urban environment, nature, landscape, and lifestyle, which is closest to the experience one would have in the cities of Central Russia.

 

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to s.simonovs@latinsoft.lv

Critical Languages Institute Programs Open

Applications for the Critical Languages Institute's (CLI) summer language programs are open!

 

For the Summer 2026 Cycle, CLI is offering its first year and some second-year programs online (Persian, Turkish, and Russian). Online programs with a 4-week study abroad add-on are available for Albanian, Armenian, BCSM, Polish, Ukrainian, Uzbek, and Russian. For applicants to Macedonian, the Melikian Center has additional funds to support travel and participation in the International Seminar on Macedonian Language, Literature, and Culture in Ohrid.

They have added a 2nd-Year Romanian program in Bucharest, Romanian this year! 2nd-year and advanced programs are offered in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Kyrgy Republic, Latvia, Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Uzbekistan!

CLI has funding for all of its language programs supported by endowed funds. This year, CLI will be able to award up to $8,500 for participants traveling abroad on one of our programs from these endowed funds, and CLI's first-year language programs are still $2,000 for 8-10 university credits.  

For more information, please visit their website or email cli@asu.edu. 

2025 Russian Study Abroad programs at Daugavpils University, Latvia -- Learn Russian in the EU

Learn Russian in the European Union (Daugavpils, Latvia) is accepting applications for the following Russian study abroad programs:

- 2025 Spring Semester Study Abroad Program.

- 2025 Summer Russian Language and Area Studies Program, 5 weeks

- 2025 Summer Intensive Russian Language Program, 6 weeks

- 2025 Fall Semester Study Abroad Program.

Daugavpils University will host all these programs and award undergraduate credits. We will appreciate your sharing this information with your students and colleagues.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

2025 SPRING SEMESTER

The following study options are available:

- Russian Language and Political Science;

- Russian Language and East European Studies;

- Russian Language, Literature, and Culture.

Application deadline November 25, 2024

Document submission deadline December 1, 2024

Optional pre-semester Russian January 13, 2025

Semester start date January 27, 2025

End date May 16, 2025

Duration 16 weeks

Total in-class hours 320

Credits 30 ECTS

2025 SUMMER RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AND AREA STUDIES PROGRAM, 5 weeks

Application deadline April 14, 2025

Document submission deadline April 21, 2025

Start date May 25, 2025

End date June 28, 2025

Duration 5 weeks

Total in-class hours 120

Russian class level Intermediate, Advanced

Credits 9 ECTS Russian, 3 ECTS Area Studies

2025 SUMMER INTENSIVE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM, 6 weeks

Application deadline May 18, 2025

Document submission deadline May 25, 2025

Start date June 30, 2025

End date August 8, 2025

Duration 6 weeks

Total in-class hours 144

Russian class level Intermediate, Advanced

Credits 13.5 ECTS Russian

2025 FALL SEMESTER

The following study options are available:

- Russian Language and Political Science;

- Russian Language and East European Studies;

- Russian Language, Literature, and Culture.

Application deadline July 24, 2025

Document submission deadline July 31, 2025

Optional pre-semester Russian August 18, 2025

Semester start date September 1, 2025

End date December 19, 2025

Duration 16 weeks

Total in-class hours 320

Credits 30 ECTS

INTENSIVE PRE-SEMESTER COURSE

Students may select an optional intensive pre-semester course before starting the Fall or Spring Semester programs. This 2-week Russian language course enables students to brush-up the language skills, refresh grammar and active vocabulary, and ensure a smooth start of the academic program. The course doesn’t give academic credit.

ALL PROGRAMS INCLUDE

- Homestays with vetted and trained Russian host families, breakfast and dinner included.

- Exciting excursions, study trips around the Baltic states, and cultural experience.

- Airport pick-up and two-way transfer.

- Local insurance, 24/7 in-country support, and many more.

DAUGAVPILS

Daugavpils is the second largest city in Latvia and the largest Russian-speaking city in the European Union. Daugavpils is a Russian language enclave, where modern standard Russian is the language of daily communication.

Please find full details at Learn Russian in the EU website.

CFA: Resident Director in Latvia

American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES) is seeking a qualified Resident Director (RD) to work on site with a group of 15 US high school students participating in the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. In 2023, there will be two programs:

1.     A two-week program in early January, 2023 in Riga, Latvia

2.     A six-week one from the end of June to mid-August in Riga, Latvia.

During the program, students will engage in language learning in both formal (language courses) and informal settings (host family living & cultural activities). The RD is required to attend a two-day pre-program training in Bellevue, WA and attend student orientations prior to international travel.

NSLI-Y is a US State Department sponsored scholarship program funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. American high school students apply for merit-based scholarships to spend a summer, semester, or academic year studying less commonly taught languages in an international immersion setting. NSLI-Y encourages beginning, intermediate, and advanced language learners with a passion for learning languages, communicating across cultures, and living abroad to apply. Participants are U.S. high school students between 15 and 18 years of age, who have beginner, intermediate or advanced Russia language skills. The Resident Director will help administer the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

·       Serve as an advisor/counselor for ACES program participants.

·       Assist ACES and the host institution in proper program administration.

·       Accompany students on program activities including volunteer projects and field trips.

·       Be present at the language school whenever students are in classes.

·       Serve as a program representative to the host institution and program participants when necessary.

·       Be available to participants at any time. When any emergencies arise, assist students as needed.

·       Enforce all ACES rules and policies.

·       Communicate regularly, including submission of program reports, to the ACES National Office.

·       Report any issues as they arise regarding participants' health, academic performance, behavior, etc.

·       Submit regular reports as required by ACES.

QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Proficient Russian language skills – written and oral

·       Experience working with teenagers or high school students

·       Ability to counsel and connect with teens

·       Genuine understanding of American and Russia cultures

·       Native fluency in English

·       Bachelor's degree or higher

·       U.S. citizen or permanent resident

      ·       Study, work, or extensive travel experience in Russia (or Latvia)

BENEFITS:

·       Room & Board and round trip travel expenses from home city to Bellevue, WA for training.

·       Room & Board and round trip travel expenses from home city to pre-program orientation location and re-entry location.

·       Round trip international airfare from the ACES designated city in the US to Riga, Latvia.

·       All excursions associated with the program.

·       International Health and Accident insurance for duration of the program.

·       Room and board in Latvia

·       Transportation in Latvia

      ·       Cell phone in Latvia

Salary:  DOE

 

To apply or questions, please email the following to Michael@Exploretheworld.org
1.      Cover Letter
2.      Resume

CFA: In-person Study Abroad Programs, Daugavpils University, Latvia

Deadline: ASAP

In the 2021 Fall semester, numerous US undergraduates are studying in in-person programs provided by “Learn Russian in the European Union” in Daugavpils, Latvia. The students are enrolled in Russian language courses and electives in history, political science, area studies, economics, math, and other subjects at Daugavpils University.

“Learn Russian in the EU” is accepting applications for the 2022 Spring and 2022/2023 academic year study abroad programs. We welcome your students to apply.

The following undergraduate programs will be available:
    - Russian Language, Literature, and Culture;
    - Russian Language and Political Science;
    - Russian Language and East European Studies;
    - Russian Language and Natural Sciences/STEM with theory and laboratory practice in Russian/English.

Daugavpils University awards up to 30 ECTS credits per semester – the equivalent of 15 credit hours at US universities. Citizens of the USA and Canada do not need a visa to study in Latvia.

For information about these programs, please visit http://www.learnrussianineu.com/semester-abroad-programs.

Student testimonials are available at https://www.learnrussianineu.com/for-students/what-do-our-students-say.

We will be happy to meet our friends and partners at the 2021 ASEEES Convention in New Orleans.
Please join us for the roundtable discussion “Developing an Intensive Language Program in the Baltics: New Challenges and Strategies”, at 5:00 pm on November 18th, and visit our booth #210 at the exhibition.

[SEELANGS] The last chance to join 2021 Fall semester in-person study abroad programs

Deadline: August 1, 2021

This is the final call for applications to 2021 Fall semester in-person study abroad programs provided by “Learn Russian in the European Union” and hosted at Daugavpils University, Latvia.
The official pre-booking deadline is July 26, but we will accept applications referencing this SEELANGS offer until August 1.

As the situation in Latvia has almost returned to normal, our programs will resume in full swing.

The following customized programs are available to Russian majors and students who are not majoring in Russian, but study the language:
    - Russian Language, Literature, and Culture;
    - Russian Language and Political Science;
    - Russian Language and East European Studies;
    - Russian Language and Natural Sciences/STEM (math, physics, biology, chemistry, and environmental studies) with theory and laboratory practice in Russian/English.

Citizens of the USA and Canada do not need a visa to study in Latvia.
We highly recommend completing vaccination before traveling to Latvia. 

Daugavpils, the second largest city in Latvia, is a unique place – a Russian-language enclave and the largest Russian-speaking city in the European Union. In Daugavpils, 80% of people speak Russian as their native language and Russian is the primary language of everyday communication.

Students will undergo full linguistic immersion and amazing cultural experience in a city that was once part of both the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, and which has a remarkable historical legacy tied to Russia and Russian-European relations.

Please find more details at these links:

Undergraduate study abroad programs: www.learnrussianineu.com/semester-abroad-programs
Covid-19 

Related information: www.learnrussianineu.com/for-students/fall-2021-in-person-study-abroad-programs-and-the-pandemic
Student testimonials: https://study-abroad-fair.learnrussianineu.com/students-share-experience
The official website: www.learnrussianineu.com