Virtual NSLI-Y opens the door to language learning and offers the opportunity to gain cultural understanding, critical language, communication, and other practical skills in a virtual setting.

Many Virtual NSLI-Y participants successfully apply for overseas NSLI-Y or other international exchange programs. Participants report increased interest, confidence, and readiness for international travel and cross-cultural experiences. Learn more about program impact here.

• Program materials/textbooks (if used by instructor)
• 10 weeks/30 hours of online instruction with an experienced language instructor through live Zoom video sessions
• Cultural learning (for example, interaction with international peers, guest speaker presentations, virtual tours of cultural sites, etc.)
• Access to a digital platform with discussion boards, assignments, projects, and more
• Program completion certificate (if all program requirements are fulfilled)

Not included:

• Internet access, software, or hardware (Email [email protected] to request information about financial assistance if needed.)
• Travel

A novice/beginner is a student who has no or very little exposure to the language. Students who have received prior tutoring or instruction in the target language are not eligible.

If you are ineligible for Virtual NSLI-Y and eager to continue your language study, please explore STARTALK programs and the NSLI-Y overseas programs.

Yes. Virtual NSLI-Y students who meet NSLI-Y eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for overseas NSLI-Y programs. Your participation in Virtual NSLI-Y will be considered in the application process for these programs.

Virtual NSLI-Y is an introductory program for beginners interested in learning critical languages. While you cannot repeat a Virtual NSLI-Y program, we encourage you to consider applying for overseas NSLI-Y programs.

Virtual NSLI-Y participants must be enrolled in a U.S. high school at the time of their participation. High school seniors may be interested in U.S. Department of State programs Critical Language Scholarship and CLS Spark.

Your birthday must be within the eligible age range to participate in the program.

Virtual NSLI-Y is only open to U.S. citizens attending a U.S.- based high school.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Please submit your most recent transcript. It is acceptable to submit a one-semester transcript plus spring schedule.

Transcripts are required as part of the application, but Virtual NSLI-Y does not have a GPA requirement.

Yes. U.S. citizens attending high school in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Northern Mariana Islands all meet the eligibility requirement.

• Virtual NSLI-Y alumni are eligible to join the ECA alumni community, a large network of alumni from U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-facilitated exchange programs. The ECA alumni community allows exchange participants to build on their exchange experiences, network with fellow ECA alumni, and gain access to online resources and events.  For more information, please go to the ECA alumni website.
• NSLI-Y Alumni Association membership is open only to participants who have completed overseas summer or academic year programs. However, Virtual NSLI-Y participants are welcome to engage with the NSLI-Y community through NSLI-Y social media and to present about Virtual NSLI-Y at your school or in your local community. Email [email protected] for presentation resources.

Yes, please do! Go to NSLI-Y Interactive.

All sessions are scheduled according to the U.S. Eastern Time Zone. Adjust class times according to your location.

Virtual NSLI-Y activities will not take place on U.S. federal holidays. If one or more sessions fall on a U.S. federal holiday, program administrators or your teacher will be in touch with you about scheduling adjustments to normal class days/times. If your class has one or more sessions that fall on a religious holiday that is not a U.S. federal holiday, sessions will not be canceled. Students observing that holiday should notify their teacher in advance to be granted an excused absence and will be expected to make up work according to teacher instructions.

Virtual NSLI-Y students are allowed up to three (3) absences. To be considered an excused absence, the student must communicate with their instructor and Virtual NSLI-Y staff at least 24 hours before the session. Students who miss a session because of sudden illness or an emergency should communicate with their instructor and Virtual NSLI-Y staff at their earliest convenience and makeup missed class work.

Good to Know: An American Academy of Arts and Sciences report, “America’s Languages: Investing in Language Education for the 21st Century”, stresses the value and importance of increased “access to language education for all U.S. citizens, irrespective of geography, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background”. Some of the challenges that schools face in meeting this goal (lack of language teachers, little additional resource capacity, large grant focus on STEM curriculum, etc.) can be addressed with virtual, synchronous instruction.

Resources on virtual learning:

• U.S. Department of Education – National Education Technology Plan
• U.S. Department of Education – Future Ready Schools
• U.S. Department of State – Stevens Initiative