15 Language Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 6 hours ago
- 10 min read
As a high school student, learning a new language is a good way to sharpen your critical thinking and memory while also exploring a different culture. Many government-backed or university-led programs allow you to develop your speaking and writing skills, enhance cross-cultural communication, and gain exposure to advanced coursework. These programs also offer certificates of completion, high school or college credit, leadership training, and immersive cultural experiences.
Why should you join a language program in high school?
Language programs give you a deeper understanding of global perspectives and help you explore how language skills connect to future careers. Through these programs, you can practice speaking and writing in another language, strengthen your public speaking and cross-cultural communication skills, and gain exposure to college-level coursework. Joining a language program also lets you meet students and mentors from around the world, helping you build connections that can support your academic and personal growth.
To make your search easier, we have put together a list of 15 language programs for high school students.
If you are looking for online summer language programs, check out our blog here.
15 Language Programs for High School Students
Location: Virtual or in person abroad in various countries, including Morocco, China, South Korea, and Russia.
Cost: Fully funded scholarship, including travel, housing, and meals; no application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~15 – 20% acceptance rate
Dates: Summer programs: Six to seven weeks between May and August | Academic year programs: 8 – 10 months
Application deadline: November 12
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18, who are U.S. citizens; no prior language study required.
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), run by the U.S. Department of State, is a merit-based scholarship that allows you to study world languages through immersive experiences abroad or online. The program focuses on offering exposure to languages critical to U.S. national security, such as Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, Arabic, and Korean. As a participant, you will work on refining your language proficiency while developing intercultural communication skills by engaging directly with local communities. The program prepares you to understand regions that are strategically important to the United States, connecting language learning with real-world diplomacy, economics, and global issues. Throughout the experience, you will find opportunities to build leadership, adaptability, and cross-cultural skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring; session lengths range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program lets high schoolers dive into college-level research while working one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor from a top university. If you are interested in diving into languages, you can choose a research question within linguistics, communication, cultural studies, or related social science fields. You will learn how to develop a research question, analyze academic literature or data, and write a professional-grade independent research paper from start to finish. This experience can help you build skills in academic writing, critical thinking, and research methodology. By the end of the program, you will have a polished research paper that you can submit to journals and competitions or use as a reference in college essays.
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free, including meals and transport
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 participants
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application deadline: Rolling basis.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12; no prior Chinese language knowledge is needed.
STARTALK Drexel Experiential Chinese High School Summer Program is a two-week hands-on Chinese language experience. Within small, interactive classes, you will build practical speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills while exploring Chinese culture through activities like dance, martial arts, cuisine, and community engagement. Learning extends beyond the classroom, allowing you to practice communicating in Chinese with local Asian American communities and with peers in Shanghai through live video conversations. Guided by experienced Chinese educators and university faculty, you will explore meaningful cultural topics and apply your learning in real-world settings. At the end of the program, you will complete a final project that focuses on topics relevant to the program and your insights.
Location: Various locations in Germany
Cost: Fully funded, including travel, housing, meals, and stipend; no application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Academic year program
Application deadline: November 10
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18, who are U.S. citizens and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher; no prior German knowledge is required.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) gives you a chance to live, study, or gain work experience in Germany through a fully supported exchange program backed by the U.S. and German governments. You can attend a German high school or take part in vocational or professional training while living with a carefully selected host family. No prior German language experience is required, as you will receive language instruction and cultural preparation guidance before and during the program. You will join the program as a citizen ambassador, sharing American perspectives while learning firsthand about German culture, society, and daily life. Throughout the year, you will have access to local support networks and government engagement opportunities.
Location: Various countries, including Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, and Thailand
Cost: Fully funded, including travel, housing, and meals; no application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 65 full scholarships available
Dates: Academic year program
Application deadline: December 4 (dates may vary by year)
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 to 18.5, who are U.S. citizens
YES Abroad (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad Program) allows you to spend an academic year living and studying in another country through a competitive, merit-based scholarship from the U.S. Department of State. You will attend a local high school, live with a host family, and immerse yourself in a unique culture while building proficiency in a critical language such as Arabic or Indonesian. You will also engage in workshops, service activities, and guided mentorship to build adaptability, leadership, and intercultural communication skills. You will complete a capstone project focused on a community issue and present your work, strengthening research and presentation skills.
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; limited spots.
Dates: June 23 – July 12
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students
Pitt STARTALK Russian Program is a residential summer experience where you will learn Russian through the lens of modern technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Over three weeks, you will build speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Russian while exploring topics like Internet culture, machine learning, and computer-assisted language learning. You will work on simulations and group projects, practice real-world communication in Russian, and take part in cultural activities throughout the program. Guided by experienced instructors in a university setting, you will build career readiness for fields such as cybersecurity, data analysis, and computational linguistics while working toward advanced language proficiency goals.
Location: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Romania
Cost: Fully funded, excluding passport and medical exams; no application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long exchange program
Application deadline: December 8
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, ages 15 to 18½
FLEX Abroad (Future Leaders Exchange Abroad Program), offered by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, allows you to spend a year studying overseas as a high school student through a fully funded scholarship from the U.S. Department of State. By attending a local school and living with a host family in countries such as Georgia, Kazakhstan, or Poland, you will immerse yourself in local activities while learning languages like Russian, Georgian, or Polish. The program combines academic study with leadership training, cultural experiences, and community projects focused on strengthening your intercultural communication and problem-solving skills. You will receive mentorship throughout the exchange and opportunities to reflect on and share your personal growth.
Location: Over 100 countries worldwide
Cost: Fully funded; participants will have to pay for airfare and insurance.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by club
Dates: Long-term program: Academic year | Short-term program: Several days – three months
Application deadline: Varies by Rotary Club
Eligibility: Youth, ages 15 – 19
Rotary Youth Exchange allows you to live and study abroad as a high school student in one of 100 countries outside the U.S., with both long-term and short-term exchange options. While staying with a host family and attending a local school, you will learn a new language through everyday immersion and explore daily routines within the host country’s culture. You will also take part in community service projects, excursions, and local activities that build global awareness and collaboration skills. The program offers pre-departure preparation and ongoing support from local Rotary Clubs to help you adjust and succeed. Through this experience, you can develop cross-cultural communication skills and a deeper understanding of the world.
Location: Countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America, like Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Ecuador
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 3 – 23
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, ages 15 – 17, who have at least one semester of school remaining
The Youth Ambassadors Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, allows you to join high schoolers and adult mentors from across the Western Hemisphere for a cultural exchange. Through in-person or virtual programs, you will take part in experiential learning, leadership training, and community service while exploring themes such as civic engagement, entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital literacy. You will collaborate with peers, engage with local host families, and learn from community, business, and NGO leaders, connecting global issues to real community needs. Language practice in Spanish or Portuguese is integrated into activities designed to boost your communication and public speaking skills. You will also learn how to create meaningful social impact in your community through this experience.
Location: Over 35 countries around the world
Cost: $10 non-refundable application fee + $2,000 enrollment fee; specific program costs depend on the country and length. Fully funded scholarships available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer, semester, or year-long (running from 3 – 12 months)
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or residents, ages 15 –18, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
Youth For Understanding (YFU), a nonprofit, runs Study Abroad Programs to help high schoolers explore unique cultures and education systems outside the U.S. You will live with a host family, attend a local school, and learn how to use the local language in everyday situations. Programs range from short-term summer exchanges to semester or year-long placements across more than 35 countries, allowing you to choose an experience that aligns with your goals. Throughout the program, you will build language proficiency and intercultural understanding through workshops, community involvement, and personal projects.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,400; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; the program maintains small class sizes.
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: May 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Beloit Summer Language Program is a fully online language-learning experience where you will complete up to two semesters of college-level coursework in seven weeks. You will study Chinese, Japanese, or Russian in small, interactive classes led by Belloit faculty. Each weekday is structured to offer live instruction, guided practice sessions, and individualized support through tutoring and office hours, with additional time for independent and group study. Alongside language mastery, you will explore cultural content that deepens your understanding of the societies where the language is spoken. By the end of the program, you will earn up to eight semester hours of college credit.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,050; scholarships available for School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
At UPenn Chinese Language and Culture Academy, you will attend daily Mandarin Chinese language classes combined with cultural workshops at the University of Pennsylvania. Catering to all experience levels, the program combines interactive language instruction with cultural workshops, project sessions, and field trips. You will learn how to introduce yourself in Chenise, discuss daily life topics, use basic Chinese characters, and communicate in practical situations like ordering food or shopping. You will also work on a final project, which can be a skit, video, or digital poster that demonstrates what you have learned over three weeks.
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI (on-campus or hybrid)
Cost: Starting at $3,748 for one week; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Various sessions from June 15 to July 25
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 – 12, ages 14 – 18
Brown University’s Language in Context Courses place you in college-level language classes in English, Spanish, Italian, or American Sign Language. You will explore how language works in real social and cultural contexts through discussions, activities, and experiential learning. Guided by Brown faculty, you will complete independent projects that deepen your linguistic understanding. The program follows a non-graded structure to help you learn and build college readiness without academic pressure. You can choose from residential and hybrid learning options.
Location: Bemidji, MN, and other sites in the U.S.
Cost: $3,265 for two weeks | $5,910 for 4 weeks; scholarships available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by course; typically, June – August
Application deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8-12; courses open to all proficiency levels.
Concordia Language Villages High School Credit Program lets you earn official high school language credits by living and learning with peers. You can choose from 13 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish, and from two-week or four-week overnight programs that deliver up to a full year of language credit in a single summer. Instruction is delivered in the target language through daily interactions, cultural activities, electives, and community experiences, helping you build listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills at an accelerated pace. Guided by expert instructors, you will follow an accredited curriculum and complete assessments recognized by Cognia for academic credit. You will also explore different cultures through themed projects, leadership activities, and exposure to traditions.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $8,550; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Six to eight weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Priority: February 11 | Regular: March 12.
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 11 or 12
The UChicago Pre-College Summer Language Institute is an entirely virtual opportunity to complete a year of college-level language study in just six to eight weeks. You can either start learning a new language or continue with one you have already studied. During the program, you will build speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through at least 90 hours of instruction, learning alongside current University of Chicago students. Courses cover various languages, including Ancient Greek, French, German, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish. Each course carries 300 units of credit, equivalent to three quarter-long college courses.
Stephen 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.
Image Source - UPenn logo