15 Free Language Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
If you're a high school student looking to build language skills before committing to studying them further in college, a structured program can be a good option to explore. These programs often combine intensive coursework, immersion, or mentor guidance, helping you build proficiency, gain exposure to new cultures, and develop connections. Free programs, in particular, let you gain this kind of experience without cost being a barrier to participation.
What are the benefits of a language program?
Free language programs can give you access to intensive instruction, immersion, or mentorship without the financial barrier that often comes with these kinds of experiences. Depending on the program you choose, you could study abroad, take a university-level course, or work through a self-paced online curriculum. Whether you're a complete beginner or already have some experience with the language, you can find a program suited to your level and interests.
To help you get started, we have narrowed down 15 free language programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span short summer immersions, full academic-year exchanges, self-paced online courses, and research tracks, covering languages from Arabic and Chinese to Latin and ASL, so students at any level can find a relevant fit.
Several programs are fully funded academic-year exchanges, including CBYX (Germany), NSLI-Y academic year track, AFS Asia-Kakehashi Project (Japan), and Rotary Youth Exchange, covering airfare, host family stays, and often a monthly stipend.
No prior language experience is required for many programs, including NSLI-Y, STARTALK, CBYX, and Concordia Language Villages, making them accessible to complete beginners as well as more advanced students.
A few programs, such as NTID's Discover ASL and The Steward School's LEAP Program, are specifically designed for underserved populations, including deaf and hard-of-hearing students and Latino youth.
Location: Multiple countries (Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Türkiye, and others), plus Virtual
Cost: Fully funded (tuition, airfare, room, and board)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer programs run June – August; academic year programs run August – June (tentatively)
Application Deadline: June 8; multiple dates based on program type
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, ages 15–18, currently enrolled in high school, minimum 2.5 GPA
NSLI-Y is the flagship language scholarship program of the U.S. Department of State, designed to equip American high school students with critical language skills in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian, Russian, or Turkish. For the summer program, you will spend 6–8 weeks overseas living with a host family, attending intensive language classes, and participating in cultural activities; the academic year program extends that experience to 8–10 months. No previous language experience is required, so you can apply as a complete beginner. You can gain rapid proficiency through daily immersion and leave with cross-cultural skills that are genuinely difficult to acquire in a classroom.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program; up to 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application is recommended
Eligibility: High school students from low-income backgrounds demonstrating outstanding academic ability
While not a traditional language program, the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation allows you to conduct personalized research in linguistics, language acquisition, or comparative literature under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor from a top university. You will work one-on-one with your mentor over 12 weeks to develop an independent research paper on a topic of your choosing. The foundation specifically supports talented students from low-income backgrounds who demonstrate exceptional academic potential, thereby making graduate-level mentorship accessible regardless of financial circumstances. By the end of the program, you will have produced a substantial academic paper that can strengthen your college applications.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; moderate cohort size
Dates: March 2 – April 26
Application Deadline: Priority: December 1; Final: February 2; varies yearly
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14–18, both English and Spanish speakers
This virtual exchange program connects high school students in the U.S. with peers in Latin America to practice languages in a structured, supportive environment. You will participate in weekly video calls, group chats, and collaborative projects led by native speakers, with discussions centered on real-world topics like identity, community, and the environment. Rather than drilling grammar rules, the program builds conversational confidence through authentic exchange, making it accessible regardless of your current proficiency level. All sessions are facilitated by experienced instructors who guide conversations and ensure meaningful engagement from both sides.
Location: Germany (host family and local high school; residential)
Cost: Fully funded (international airfare, travel health insurance, room and board, and $150/month stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; competitive national program
Dates: Early August – mid-June (full academic year; tentatively)
Application Deadline: Early November (tentatively)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens in grades 9–12, ages 15–18.5, with a minimum 2.5 GPA; no prior German required
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) is a fully funded academic-year scholarship jointly sponsored by the U.S. Congress and the German government that sends American high school students to Germany for intensive German-language immersion. You will receive pre-departure language training before you go, then live with a German host family, attend a local German high school, and participate in community life, all in German, for a full academic year. No prior German is required; the program is built around the expectation that you will acquire the language through immersion, and participants consistently report major fluency gains by the end of the year. The scholarship covers international airfare, travel health insurance, room and board, and a $150 monthly stipend for personal expenses. If you are ready to commit a full year to language immersion, this program offers one of the most comprehensive, fully funded packages available to U.S. high school students.
Location: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Fully funded (full tuition; textbooks covered for beginning and intermediate levels)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited awards per cycle
Dates: 5 weeks in the summer; dates vary yearly
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Current or incoming high school juniors or seniors, age 16 or older, residing in or able to commute to the greater Twin Cities area
The QFI School Break Arabic Program, offered by Qatar Foundation International, funds high school students to take university-level Arabic courses at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, covering full tuition and textbooks. You can choose from beginning, intermediate, or calligraphy Arabic courses, meaning no prior Arabic experience is necessary if you enroll at the introductory level; more advanced students can take upper-level coursework to continue their progress. You will attend class alongside university students, gaining a genuine college-level academic experience while still in high school. A personal statement and one teacher recommendation letter are required as part of the application, making this selective but achievable for motivated students. This is a practical way to get ahead on college language requirements or to seriously deepen your Arabic studies before graduation.
6. STARTALK
Location: Multiple sites nationwide (universities and schools; virtual and in-person options)
Cost: Free (tuition, materials, and often meals included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by site; many are competitive
Dates: 3–5 week summer sessions (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Varies by site
Eligibility: High school students; many programs require no prior language experience
STARTALK is a federally funded program supported by the National Security Agency, offering free intensive summer instruction in critical-need languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Korean, and Russian, at over 100 host sites across the country. Each program is designed by local educators and often integrates culture, art, or technology into its curriculum. You can apply to multiple STARTALK sites simultaneously, which significantly improves your chances of acceptance in any given summer. STARTALK is a strong entry point if you are a beginner in one of these languages and want a structured, intensive introduction at no cost.
Location: Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
Cost: Standard fee varies; merit-based financial aid and need-based grants are available for qualifying students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited enrollment
Dates: Varies by session
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Primarily college and graduate students; exceptional rising high school seniors with strong language backgrounds may apply
Middlebury Language Schools are among the most rigorous language programs in the country, built around a binding Language Pledge that requires you to speak only your target language for the entire eight weeks, no English, even during meals or free time. You will live on campus, take intensive college-level classes taught by expert faculty, and engage in cultural activities in an environment where every person around you upholds the same commitment. The Language Schools offer instruction in over a dozen languages, from Arabic and Chinese to Portuguese and Russian, and participants can earn college credit for completed coursework. Middlebury primarily enrolls college and graduate students, but exceptional high school students, particularly rising seniors with strong language backgrounds, may be admitted; contact the program directly to discuss eligibility and what financial aid is available to you. Merit-based fellowships and need-based grants are offered to qualifying students, though funding is competitive.
Location: The Steward School, Richmond, VA
Cost: Tuition-free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 12 students per class
Dates: June 15 – July 10
Application Deadline: Early March (tentatively)
Eligibility: Latino high school students entering grades 8–12; Richmond area and surrounding regions
The Latino Education Advancement Program (LEAP) is a tuition-free, four-week summer program at The Steward School in Richmond, Virginia, designed to empower Latino youth for high school success and college readiness. You will take small-group Spanish classes taught by Steward faculty, attend SAT preparation workshops, receive personalized college counseling, and visit local college campuses. With no more than 12 students per class, you will receive closer attention from instructors than most larger summer programs offer. The program provides a culturally affirming environment where you can build academic confidence alongside peers who share your background and goals. You will also receive information about college financial assistance and explore career opportunities through guest speakers and workshops.
Location: Japan (host family or dormitory; residential)
Cost: Fully funded by the Japanese government (round-trip airfare, accommodation, school tuition, and meals)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited spots for U.S. participants
Dates: August 19 – December 15; 5-month program; dates vary
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, ages 15–18, currently studying Japanese at the high school level, GPA 3.0+
The AFS Asia-Kakehashi Project is a fully funded, five-month scholarship sponsored by the Japanese government and administered by AFS-USA that places high school students in Japan for a semester of total language and cultural immersion. You will attend a Japanese high school, live with a host family or in a dormitory, and engage in daily life entirely in Japanese, which produces dramatically faster gains in fluency than classroom study alone can achieve. The program includes a one-week international camp where you will meet Japanese students and peers from across the Asia-Pacific region, culminating in a closing ceremony at Japan’s Ministry of Education. Because the program targets students already studying Japanese, you will need some prior exposure to the language before applying. If you are committed to Japanese and want a semester-length immersive experience with full government backing, this is one of the most comprehensive fully funded programs available.
Location: Universities and colleges across Canada (Quebec, Ontario, and others)
Cost: Government bursary covers tuition, meals, and lodging; a registration fee may apply
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; broad enrollment
Dates: Varies by session
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school Canadian students; U.S. student eligibility varies by session
Explore is a Canadian government-funded French-language bursary program that places participants at university campuses across francophone and bilingual Canada for five weeks of immersive study. You will attend daily French classes, live on campus, eat meals, and socialize, all primarily in French, the kind of total-immersion environment that accelerates language acquisition well beyond what a classroom alone can provide. Students at all proficiency levels are welcome and will be placed in classes matched to their level. This program is particularly well-suited for students interested in francophone communities, Canadian culture, or careers that benefit from English-French bilingualism.
Location: Worldwide (host family and local high school; country determined by local Rotary district)
Cost: Room and board provided by host families; program fees covered; students pay airfare
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; placements depend on local district capacity
Dates: Academic year
Application Deadline: Varies by district
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15–18; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; sponsored through a local Rotary club
Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the most established international exchange programs in the world, operated by Rotary International through its global network of local clubs, and it places high school students with host families abroad for a full academic year of language and cultural immersion. You will attend a local high school, live with multiple host families over the course of the year, participate in Rotary community events, and develop fluency in your host country’s language through daily real-life use. Unlike programs fixed to a single language or country, Rotary offers placements in dozens of countries, including Japan, Brazil, France, Germany, and Italy, giving you meaningful flexibility in choosing a target language and region.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; self-paced
Dates: Self-paced; available year-round
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students of all levels; open enrollment
Forum Linguae is a free, online Latin program run by Philosophy Vessel, a nonprofit dedicated to accessible humanities education, offering structured instruction for learners at any level. You will work through reading, translation, pronunciation, and oratory using adapted passages from Roman literature, philosophy, and mythology, building your foundation through authentic texts rather than rote memorization. The curriculum is entirely self-paced, with interactive exercises, making it a strong supplement to a school Latin course or a standalone starting point if your school does not offer Latin. This is a practical choice if you are preparing for the National Latin Exam, strengthening vocabulary roots across English and the Romance languages, or simply curious about the classical world.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free (program and all associated credits fully covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to 25 students
Dates: Vary yearly
Application Deadline: Varies yearly
Eligibility: Deaf or hard-of-hearing high school students with little or no prior ASL experience
Offered by the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Discover ASL is a fully free online program that introduces deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students to American Sign Language through live, structured instruction with experienced deaf educators. You will learn ASL fundamentals, conversational vocabulary, grammar, and the cultural context of the deaf community through interactive live video sessions supplemented by asynchronous activities. With a small cohort of 25 students, you will receive meaningful face time with your instructor and build real connections with peers rather than working through pre-recorded videos alone. This is a well-supported opportunity for young deaf and hard-of-hearing students to build foundational ASL skills while connecting with the broader deaf community.
Location: Multiple villages in northern Minnesota, MN
Cost: Varies by session; Passport Fund scholarships available for qualifying families
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited scholarship spots
Dates: Varies by session
Application Deadline: Rolling; February 4
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate financial need; all language levels are welcome
Concordia Language Villages offer immersive residential camps in northern Minnesota where you live and breathe a language. Every aspect of camp life, from cooking and sports to music and campfire conversations, is conducted entirely in the target language, simulating daily life in the country where your language is spoken. Through the Passport Fund, need-based scholarships are available for qualifying families with a single application covering multiple scholarship sources; awards can cover up to 90% of tuition in the best cases. The program offers instruction in over a dozen languages, ranging from widely studied options like Spanish and Chinese to less commonly taught ones like Danish and Norwegian.
Location: Over 35 programs in 22 countries
Cost: Standard program fee varies by destination; Global Navigator Scholarships cover between $500 and 100% of tuition costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; awards vary by year
Dates: 3–4 week summer sessions (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Varies by cycle
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, ages 14–18, with financial need and/or academic merit
CIEE’s Global Navigator Scholarships provide full and partial funding for high school students to study a language abroad, with programs in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic across more than 35 destinations. You will live with a host family, attend daily language classes, go on cultural excursions, and participate in service-learning projects, all in your target language and country. Scholarships are awarded based on a combination of financial need, academic record, and a personal essay; 90% of Global Navigator Scholarships go to students in Language and Culture programs, so applying to a language track meaningfully improves your chances. CIEE awards more than $5 million in scholarships annually, making this one of the largest high school language scholarship funds in the country.
Frequently asked questions
What free language programs are available for high school students?
Options include fully funded exchange programs, such as NSLI-Y, CBYX, and AFS Asia-Kakehashi Project, domestic intensive programs, such as STARTALK and QFI School Break Arabic Program, self-paced online options, such as Forum Linguae for Latin, and specialized programs, such as NTID's Discover ASL and The Steward School's LEAP Program.
Are there free language programs for beginners with no prior experience?
Yes, NSLI-Y, STARTALK, CBYX, and Concordia Language Villages all explicitly welcome beginners with no prior language background. Forum Linguae's self-paced Latin program is also designed for learners starting from scratch.
Which free language programs involve living abroad?
NSLI-Y offers both summer and academic-year immersion abroad in countries such as Jordan, Korea, and Türkiye. CBYX places students in Germany for a full year, AFS Asia-Kakehashi Project places students in Japan for five months, and Rotary Youth Exchange offers year-long placements in dozens of countries worldwide.
Are there free language programs specifically for underserved students?
Yes, The Steward School's LEAP Program is designed for Latino high school students in the Richmond area, and NTID's Discover ASL Program is designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students with little or no prior ASL experience. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation also prioritizes students from low-income backgrounds.
Stephen Turban is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.