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ACMS Intensive Mongolian Language Program Summer 2008

The American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS) invites applications from students and scholars wishing to participate in an eight week Intensive Mongolian Language Program from late-June to mid-August 2008 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The ACMS Intensive Mongolian Language Program in summer 2008 will provide the equivalent of three semester credit hours of language training, and will be led by experienced Mongolian language teachers. The program is designed to support the development of intermediate to advanced language skills, and all applicants must have the equivalent of at least one year of Mongolian language study experience by the time the program begins. The program is open to US citizens or permanent residents, and up to four applicants will be selected for the program.

Gobi Camels
Gobi Camels
This Intensive Language Program is part of a phased program designed by the ACMS to build Mongolian language training opportunities for students and scholars. The ACMS envisions the development of new, on-site Mongolian language courses in Ulaanbaatar, web resources to support independent learning, and the development of on-line courses. Participants in the ACMS Intensive Mongolian Language Program in summer 2008 will play an integral role in helping to improve the quality of Mongolian language materials that can be used in the classroom and online. Participants in the program should expect opportunities for web-based instruction in addition to traditional classroom instruction.

Fellowships of $2,000 to $3,000 will be available for all participants in the program to partially offset travel and living costs. The ACMS encourages applicants to seek additional sources of funding to cover the full cost of travel and living expenses, estimated to be approximately $4000 for the 8-week program.

Course sessions will be held 8-10 hours per week, and will include both small group classroom sessions and individual tutorials. Participants in the program will be required to attend 90 percent of the classroom sessions, as well as complete 90 percent of out of classroom assignments, which will require up to 12 hours per week of additional work and may be assigned in traditional and online classroom settings. This 90-90 rule is not flexible. However, the ACMS encourages participants to utilize the remainder of their time before, during, or after the program to pursue other research and study activities.

Mongol Horses
Mongol Horses
Note: Although the program will offer the equivalent of 3 credits hours of instruction, the course itself is not offered for official academic credit through the ACMS.

Those interested in participating in the program should submit the following to the ACMS at info@mongoliacenter.org by March 15, 2008:

1. Application Form (.pdf) (.doc)
2. Resume or CV
3. Short description of your Mongolian Language Proficiency (500 words or less)
4. Description of how you will utilize your participation in the program to further your career or studies, and any relevant experience you have participating in group language learning. (500 words or less)
5. Letter of recommendation from professor (if student) or colleague (if faculty member).

Application Materials:

Criteria for program selection include:

  • All applicants must be members of the ACMS
  • Prior experience learning Mongolian and other languages. Applicants should have a minimum of one year of experience learning Mongolian at the time the program starts.
  • Prior experience and/or a willingness to help to develop Mongolian language materials for classroom and online use.
  • Importance of learning Mongolian language for the applicant's academic studies or career plans
  • Applicant indicates a commitment to the 90/90 provisions of the program (Attend 90% of classes and complete 90% of homework exercises)
  • Applicant is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States

The ACMS is committed to equitable access and participation without regard to gender, race, national origin, color, disability or age. The ACMS will work to ensure access for any persons with disability, but cannot guarantee that Mongolian facilities will be appropriately equipped for all types of disability. Please inquire about specific conditions or questions with regard to disability access.

For questions about the application or program, please contact info@mongoliacenter.org.

 
General Terms and Conditions

1. All applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the USA.

Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions
2. Applicants must have a self-assessed or officially assessed high-beginner or greater level of proficiency in Mongolian and at least 1 year experience studying Mongolian or equivalent. (Examples of proficiency level guidelines are available at http://www.languagetesting.com/scale_gov.htm). Lessons will be conducted entirely in Mongolian, and participants will be expected to handle daily activities outside the classroom on their own. Abilities to conduct, to communicate, and to understand basic and routine tasks in Mongolian are essential. Individuals without prior experience studying Mongolian are not eligible for this program.

3. Fellowship recipients must attend 90 percent of scheduled classes and complete 90 percent of work assigned outside the classroom, referred to hereafter as the “90-90 requirement.” Fellowship recipients must commit up to 8-10 hours of classroom training and up to 12 hours of out of class training per week over an 8-10 week period. This is not flexible. However, fellowship recipients will be given regular weekends and official holidays off, and they may use the time outside the committed 20-22 hours per week to pursue other activities such as field research if it does not interfere with the recipients’ abilities to observe the 90-90 requirement.

4. Although the program will offer the equivalent of 3 semester credits hours of instruction, or approximately 40 hours of in-classroom and 80 hours of out-of-classroom instruction, the course itself is not offered for official academic credit through the ACMS.

5. Undergraduate applicants must have at least third year standing in their program, where as graduate students and faculty members at all levels are eligible.

6. Applications must include all 5 required documents, and must be in English. Applications must be received by the ACMS by March 15, 2008. Applications must be submitted by email attachment to: info@mongoliacenter.org. Scanned, signed copies of letters of support may be submitted separately from other documents and must be received by March 15, 2008. Applications submitted without letters of support will not be accepted. Letters of support received after the deadline will not be accepted. Submitted files must include the applicant’s name. For example, “john.doe.language.application.pdf” or “application.john.doe.doc”. Applications received after the March 15, 2008 deadline will not be accepted.

7. All applicants must be current members of the ACMS to be considered for the program.

8. All travel between the US and Mongolia that uses funds from the fellowship program must meet the provisions of the Fly America Act. Details about these provisions will be provided to award recipients.

9. A portion of the fellowship stipend will be withheld until the recipient submits a final report on their fellowship experience. The final report will include reflections on both the classroom experience, and how the experience is expected to impact future academic and career development.

10. Award recipients are responsible for paying all taxes related to their awards. The fellowship funds awarded are generally considered income in the United States, and therefore must be reported to tax authorities. The ACMS bears no responsibility for withholding or remitting taxes related to these awards.

11. Award recipients are responsible for ensuring proper medical and evacuation insurance coverage during their time in Mongolia. Proof of insurance coverage will be required before disbursement of fellowship funds.

12. Award recipients are responsible for their own lodging, travel, and other expenses throughout their stay in Mongolia. However, the ACMS is available to provide assistance in securing housing and making other arrangements upon individual request from fellows.

13. The ACMS reserves the right to adjust the amounts and types of awards given under this program, as well as the general terms and conditions, before award agreements are reached with each recipient.

 
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