The Summer 2012 Federal Service Language Academy (FSLA)  

Note:  If you are interested in a job teaching with the FSLA, click here to be directed to instructor positions.

"The compelling changes in our economy, the dawning of the information age, and the horrible events of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath have created an unprecedented need to focus on international knowledge and skills.  To solve most of the major problems facing our country in the 21st Century requires every young person to learn more about other world regions, cultures and languages." - Colin Powell, Former U.S. Secretary of State

What is the Federal Service Language Academy (FSLA)?

Check out the FSLA on Facebook!

For twenty-one days, you will be immersed in a foreign language and culture in an academic environment hosted by North Georgia College & State University in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education.  

You will live in a a brand new residence hall - Liberty Hall - in the same vicinity as your fellow students who are learning the same language. This facilitates group study and practice in the language when class is not in session.  You will be asked to communicate in your language as much as possible. The university will provide a tutor and counselor to assist with after hours study and supervision.  The classes will be taught by highly qualified foreign language teachers possessing native or near native proficiency.  There is a physical fitness component designed to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. For career exploration purposes, guest speakers from federal agencies like the US Department of State, FBI, CIA, Army or Homeland Security will present information on careers in their specialties. In addition, exciting cultural-related and adventure trips will complete the curriculum.

At the end of our three-week course, you will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of your language of study,  a grasp of general cultural norms, and a jump start in preparing for college level foreign language or international affairs education leading toward a potential career in federal service. You will also be awarded one high school unit of academic credit for successful achievement of first-year Arabic, Chinese, Korean, German, or Russian, or second-year French and second-year German proficiency levels as set forth in the Georgia Performance Standards. 

North Georgia College & State University Scenic Campus in Dahlonega, GA

What are the dates?

• First session:  10-29 June 2012 (Arabic I, Chinese I, German I, Korean I (Canceled), Russian I (Full))
• Second session:  8-27 July 2012 (Arabic I, Chinese I, Russian I (Full), French II, German II)

Am I eligible to participate?

To participate, you:

1. must be a rising sophomore, junior or senior in high school.  The academy is open to Georgia residents as well as out-of-state students.
2. must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale in your college-preparatory courses (does not include electives such as band, chorus, technical courses, etc.).  
3. must be interested in exploring federal service careers or international affairs.
4. must be in good physical, emotional and athletic condition.  Athletic condition means you must be able to run at least a mile in 9 minutes or less, and be capable of doing push-ups, sit-ups, and other calisthenic exercises for a duration of 30 minutes or more.  Good emotional health means no diagnosis of depression or suicide ideation, nor prone to physical violence or severe home sickness.
5. must take a sports physical exam if you are selected for the program.
6. must plan to attend a 4-year university after high school.
7. must be a legal resident of the United States or an international student living in a country outside the US.

Notes:

(1) You'll be given special consideration if you have previously taken one year of any foreign language, with a grade of B or higher, during your high school career.
(2) If you have already taken your target language in high school (Arabic, Chinese, German, Korean or Russian), then you should apply for another language that you have not previously taken.  The academy teaches beginning-level courses, except French and German.  French is offered as a Level II course only, and German is offered as a beginning-level course and a Level II course.
(3) We're looking for students who have integrity.  Therefore, if you provide inaccurate information on your application, you will not be admitted to the academy. If you are already enrolled, and we discover and inaccuracy, you may be removed from the academy.
(4)  We will conduct the proposed sessions if there is enough demand.  Therefore, we may cancel sessions if we don't have enough students interested.

2011 Session Field Trip to China  Town Market	Most of the Day You'll Be Learning  Your Selected Language	You Will Participate in Physical  Fitness Education Daily!	You Will Hear Presentations From Federal Government Agencies

Who teaches the classes? 

Courses will be taught by highly-qualified teachers with advanced to superior proficiency using first-year and second-year World Language Georgia Performance Standards.  Teachers are selected through a competitive hiring process which includes a target language interview.  For the 2011 Academy, we had extremely well qualified teachers:  a K-12 Arabic teacher and Virtual School teacher in North Carolina who was from Egypt; a K-12 Chinese teacher in Georgia who was a native of China; and a Russian Instructor from Valdosta State University with a background in K-12 education who was a native of Russia.  See "Additional Information" below for more detailed biographies.  Tutors will be assigned to each class to assist with learning, study and practice.

What will it cost?

The cost of the program will be $1,800.  This is the entire cost of the program and includes tuition, room, meals, books, and trips.  

How and when do I apply? 

The academy is limited to 16 students per language per three-week session.  Therefore, admission to the FSLA will be competitive. Application window opens 1 January 2012 and closes 30 April 2012.  After the application window closes, we will select and notify the participants before the end of April.  If you are accepted into the program, we will mail you a letter and acceptance packet that explains the details of registering and paying for the program.  If you wish to apply, go to the bottom of this web page to fill out the on-line application.

Please note: there is no requirement for additional information other than what is specified in the application.  Additional documentation will not be accepted. 

How many students will apply? 

For the 2011 sessions, we had 340 applicants for the 96 slots available.  Admissions decisions are based primarily on the 250 word essay, with secondary emphasis on grade point average and physical fitness.  There is no format to the essay; however, we will consider those who most closely fit the intent of the FSLA, as set forth in the seven criteria for participants.  In your essay, you should clearly address these topics:  interest in a federal service career, interest in foreign languages, and interest in fitness.

How and when do I pay? 

After you have been accepted to the program, you may pay by credit card, personal check or cash.  Detailed instructions will be provided with your registration packet.  Payment will be due before 25 April 2012.

Are there scholarships available? 

The Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE) is considering offering five $500 scholarships for the academy.  To be eligible, you must demonstrate financial need.  The link to the scholarship application is here:  CASIE Scholarship   

When and where do I check in, and what do I bring? 

Check-in location will be in a residence hall on the campus of North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega (exact residence hall to be determined). Check-in time is 1500-1700 (3 -5 PM) on Sunday, 10 June for the first session and the same time on Sunday, 8 July for the second session.

A list of mandatory items you will bring will be provided in your acceptance packet.

Will I have any time off or can I have visitors? 

Because this is a total immersion model, it is a seven-day-per-week program.  You will live and study on campus for 21 consecutive days.  There will be very little scheduled free time.  Most of your out-of-class time will be devoted to individual and group study and practice in your target language.  Visitors, friends, and parents are discouraged from visiting.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

For questions concerning content, please e-mail Dr. John Wilson, jwilson@northgeorgia.edu

For questions about eligibility, please contact:  Mr. Joe Fiala, jefiala@northgeorgia.edu

For questions about check-in or any other administrative, logistical or technical needs, please e-mail: Ms. Deb Adams at dwadams@northgeorgia.edu  or call 706 867-2815

Check out the Foreign Language Programs at North Georgia College & State University

More Information on the Federal Service Language Academy

Typical daily schedule

6:00 AM  Wake up
6:30 AM  Physical education
7:30 AM  Showers, personal hygiene
8:30 AM  Breakfast
9:00 AM  Classes Begin
12:00 PM  Lunch
1:00 PM  Classes Begin
5:00 PM  Class Ends
5:30 PM  Dinner
6:00 PM Personal time
7:00 PM  Cultural and language-related activities
9:00 PM  Personal time and study
10:00 PM Bed, lights out 

Physical Education

Many jobs in the federal government require their employees to be in good physical condition.  Some jobs require you to live and work in remote, austere and/or hostile environments. For these reasons, the academy includes a mandatory physical fitness component.  Five days per week, you will participate in a one-hour physical education session with your fellow students.  These sessions will consist of aerobic, anaerobic, endurance, muscular strength, movement and flexibility exercises and activity.  To avoid the heat of the day, sessions are scheduled for the early morning hours.  Students will be divided into "ability" groups so that those who are in outstanding physical condition will be in a group of well-conditioned students. Similarly, those who are less conditioned will be in a lower ability group.  These physical education sessions are not designed to embarrass anyone.  Students who do not recognize the value of physical conditioning should not apply.  Students who wish to improve their condition are welcome. Fitness sessions will be supervised by a highly experienced university staff member who will ensure that the activities are conducted safely.

Living arrangements

You will live in Liberty Hall which was completed in January of 2012 and has a stunning view of the North Georgia mountains.  You will live in a room with a roommate.  Your room adjoins a common bathroom that is shared with another room and two other students.  The two rooms and bathroom constitute a suite.  Only students of the same gender will live in a suite.  The suites for all students in the same language cohort will be in the same area on the same floor.  Tutors and counselors will live in the vicinity of their cohorts.  Photos of residence hall, rooms and bathroom are below:

Safety

There is a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per week highly professional campus police force.  In addition, students will be supervised 24/7 by counselors, teachers and tutors.  There will be no unsupervised time! A highly trained university staff member will oversee the physical education component to manage risk and ensure the safety of students.  A highly trained and experienced staff member will be in the residence hall during all night hours.  There will be no unsupervised time.

If you would like information about the Corps of Cadets at North Georgia, go to www.northgeorgia.edu/cadetadmissions   

Teacher Biographies from Summer 2011 

Russian

My name is Anastasiya Lakhno and I am originally from Krasnoyarsk, a large city in Siberia and a geographical center of Russia. Currently I am teaching the Russian language and culture at Valdosta State University (Valdosta, GA) as well as getting my Master's degree in Sociology there.

I graduated from Siberian Federal University in 2007 with a Master's degree in linguistics and interpretation, majoring in English and Turkish. In 2009-2010 academic year a was a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Valdosta State University. Prior to coming to the States I taught English at Krasnoyarsk Medical University and Siberian State Aerospace University as well as did a lot of translations.

I am convinced that knowledge of a foreign language opens up a lot to a person: not only it makes them more valuable on the labor market or allows them to travel to the country and be able to speak that language (which are more practical aspects) but also become more aware of another culture, be more understanding, tolerant and on the whole, a well-rounded person.

During the intensive course of the Russian language at FSFLA I want to make sure the students will have a positive learning experience and get motivated to continue their studies. They will also be provided with the essential language skills and knowledge of the culture.

In my free time I enjoy doing sports and traveling.

 

Chinese

My name is Xiajun Zou. I am originally from Guilin, a small and beautiful city in the southern part of China.  Since 2007, I have been teaching Mandarin Chinese at Southeast Whitfield High School in Whitfield County, Georgia.  Currently, I teach around 160 students studying Chinese language and culture. Prior to my teaching in the USA, I taught English at a college in China for over 15 years.

Today’s job market demands employees who speak multiple languages for success in a global economy. My Chinese class will offer a unique skill which is an asset to students’ participation in the future job market.  During the intensive three-week Chinese course for the FSFLA program, my students will be equipped with fundamental language and communication skills as well as the culture awareness needed for their further study while enjoying their learning experiences at NGCSU.  In my spare time, I love hiking on Stone Mountain.

Arabic

My name is Rafik Missak. I am your Arabic teacher. I am very excited to meet you. I am also glad to have the opportunity to discover the Arabic Language and to explore its rich and fascinating culture.  I live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt. Currently, I teach Arabic at Winding Springs Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina and I also teach online Arabic for North Carolina Virtual Schools.  I enjoy playing basketball, traveling, reading and spending time with my family. I played basketball on the Egyptian National team for 5 years before moving to the US in 2004. I also played on Belmont Abbey college basketball team.

Student Testimonials from Summer 2011

"This camp has changed my perspective for the rest of my life.  Now my passion for Arabic and the Middle East is ready to direct me through the end of high school, college, and my future career.  That you FSFLA for helping me realize my future."

"I loved being at the FSFLA and learning Russian!  My teacher was amazing and really cared about our progress with the language.  She taught us in a fun and exciting way.  We also learned lots about the culture, including a culture related field trip.  It was incredible how much Russian I was really able to learn in three weeks.  I want to stay so much and develop my Russian more and more.  Thanks FSFLA."

"In addition to getting a head start on Chinese, I learned more than anything how to handle myself for three weeks in a demanding and multicultural environment.  It was an experience that I'll never forget and I'm extremely grateful that I was given this opportunity.  This program is a major accomplishment and I wish it nothing but success in the future."

See more FSLA testimonials  

 

Video From the Classrooms in Summer 2011 - Click Image Below