Language Programs - American Institute of Indian Studies (original) (raw)

AIIS offers intensive, immersion-based training in modern and classical South Asian languages at multiple sites in India

Three types of programs are offered:

Courses regularly include:

In addition, instruction may be arranged in other languages such as:

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SUMMER 2025 AND FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-2026 PROGRAMS WILL BE January 31, 2025.

For more than five decades, AIIS language programs in India have been crucial to most U.S.-based scholars of South Asian area studies in the humanities and social science disciplines. Area experts employed in government, NGOs, and the private sector have also benefited. More than 4,000 students have completed programs through the Institute.

The AIIS Language Program offers nine-month academic year, summer and semester courses at elementary to advanced levels in many languages, including several that are rarely taught outside of India. The eligibility requirements vary depending on the particular program. Applications for AIIS language programs are available in mid-September and are due by January 31; the selection process is finished by early March.

AIIS awards full fellowships, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Group Projects Abroad program, to qualified academic-year and semester program students on a competitive basis. Fellowships are intended for students who have successfully completed the equivalent of two years of language training and who seek intensive immersion instruction within a target-language environment to work toward an advanced-to-superior level of proficiency. Summer program applicants should seek funding from their home institutions or through the Critical Language Scholarship program (for Hindi and Urdu), but may also be considered for financial assistance from AIIS.

Undergraduates who complete an AIIS language program can enroll to have their AIIS coursework recorded as transferable academic credit through Indiana University, which serves as the AIIS transcript school of record. Students can earn 12-16 credits per semester and 8 credits for the summer program.

U.S. military veterans, students from community colleges and regional public institutions and non-traditional students are especially encouraged to apply. AIIS makes every effort to accommodate students with disabilities or special needs.

During the period September through May, AIIS language instructors in India offer individualized tutorials for all languages and all levels, for 15perhourforremotelessonsand15 per hour for remote lessons and 15perhourforremotelessonsand21 per hour for in-person lessons (these rates include the Indian tax). These classes are conducted online; when it becomes safe to do so, students may also request lessons in-person in India. Those interested in private lessons should contact

Students participating in the AIIS Academic Year Language Program who are funded through their home institutions with Title VI FLAS Fellowships must take an additional directed readings course with faculty, arranged by AIIS, at a local Indian university or research institute. This course will require a syllabus approved by AIIS, with the concurrence of the relevant faculty and student. Additional tuition charges of $500 will be incurred.

For additional information, please go to aiislanguageprograms.org.