Welcome to UH Korean Flagship Program

The Language Flagship leads the nation in designing, supporting, and implementing a new paradigm for advanced language education. Through an innovative partnership between the federal government, education, and business, The Language Flagship seeks to graduate students who will take their place among the next generation of global professionals, commanding a superior level of fluency in one of many languages critical to U.S. competitiveness and security.

The Language Flagship announces its 2008 grant competition, "Promoting the Diffusion of Innovation." Applications are due by March 14, 2008. Please visit Funding Opportunities for the detailed Request for Proposals (RFP).

The Language Flagship is a breakthrough in foreign language and culture instruction in the United States designed to help individuals achieve superior-level proficiency in critical languages including Arabic, Central Asian languages, Chinese, Hindi/Urdu, Korean, Persian/Farsi, and Eurasian languages.

Funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), The Language Flagship awards grants to U.S. universities recognized as leaders in the field of language education.

Through The Language Flagship, NSEP supports new concepts in language instruction, including partnerships with innovative universities and school systems developing K-16 “pipeline” programs in Chinese and Arabic.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-The Demand for Foreign Language Expertise

“ America needs people who understand foreign cultures and who are fluent in locally spoken languages. The stability and economic vitality of the United States and our national security depend on American citizens who are knowledgeable about the world.

We need civil servants, including law enforcement officers, teachers, area experts, diplomats, and business people with the ability to communicate at an advanced level in the languages and understand the cultures of the people with whom they interact.”

—Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Introduction of the National Foreign Language Coordination Act, 2005
Until now, most college and university language students have graduated with “Intermediate” or “Advanced” level language proficiency – a level that is generally insufficient for complex and sophisticated tasks that demand a “Superior” level. (see ACTFL Guidelines)

Only when speakers reach the “Superior” level can they “discuss their interests and special fields of competence, explain complex matters in detail, and provide lengthy and coherent narrations, all with ease, fluency, and accuracy.” (ACTFL Guidelines)

Answering the Call

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) has long understood the need for professionals who can conduct high-level work in critical languages. To answer the call for such experts, NSEP formed strategic partnerships with recognized leaders in foreign language education.

The Language Flagship, an initiative funded by NSEP, began awarding grants to institutions in 2002 to create accelerated language training programs. The first 10 students began the Flagship programs in 2003. Today Flagship programs are underway in Arabic, Central Asian languages, Chinese, Hindi/Urdu, Korean, Persian/Farsi, and Eurasian languages. Nearly 100 students have successfully completed Flagship training. The main goal of The Language Flagship is to establish field-wide and institutional infrastructure that will support the education of exceptional students in languages critical to U.S. national security.

The Center for Advanced Study of Language at the University of Maryland provides Flagship with state-of-the-art research on major issues related to advanced curriculum development and proficiency testing.