Public Service & Continuing Education
The Summer 2013 Federal Service
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We are accepting no more application for Summer 2013. Please check back next summer!
NOTE: Application information for prospective FSLA instructors, tutors, and counselors is posted to the University of North Georgia Human Resources web site. Follow this link to apply.
Explore a career in the federal government, and learn a critical language! Watch the video - then register for the program below.
Update: Four of our students from 2011 FSLA were semi-finalists for the NSLI-Y (The State Department's National Security Language Initiative for Youth) Scholarship Program in Arabic and Russian. Of the four, two students were selected for an eight-week study program in Morocco.
Five of our students from 2012 FSLA were selected semi-finalists for the NSLI-Y Scholarship Program in Arabic, Russian, and Chinese. Winners will be selected in spring 2013.
The NSLI-Y provides merit-based scholarships to U.S. high school students and recent graduates interested in learning less-commonly studied foreign languages overseas. The selection process is demanding, rigorous, and highly selective. The scholarship offers students an all-expense paid eight month study program in a targeted culture. This could be you!
For more information about NSLI-Y, please visit their website: http://www.nsliforyouth.org/
If you are a high school student interested in a job in the FBI, US State Department, CIA, Homeland Security, or as an officer in the US Armed Forces after you graduate from college, this academy is for you. These organizations and many others are seeking employees who have critical foreign language and culture skills. Knowledge of a critical foreign language will set you apart from the field of candidates seeking jobs in the federal government. In the FSLA, you will learn the fundamentals of Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, French, Portuguese or German.
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"The compelling changes in our economy, the dawning of the information age, and the horrible events of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath have created an unprecedented need to focus on international knowledge and skills. To solve most of the major problems facing our country in the 21st Century requires every young person to learn more about other world regions, cultures and languages."- Colin Powell, Former U.S. Secretary of State |
What is the Federal Service Language Academy (FSLA)?
 Check out the FSLA on Facebook! |
For twenty-one days, you will be immersed in a foreign language and culture in an academic environment hosted by the University of North Georgia (formerly "North Georgia College & State University") in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education.
You will live in a newly-renovated residence hall - Gaillard Hall - in the same vicinity as your fellow students who are learning the same language. This facilitates group study and practice in the language when class is not in session. You will be asked to communicate in your language as much as possible. The university will provide a tutor and counselor to assist with after hours study and supervision. The classes will be taught by highly qualified foreign language teachers possessing native or near native proficiency. There is a physical fitness component designed to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. For career exploration purposes, guest speakers from federal agencies like the US Department of State, FBI, CIA, Army or Homeland Security will present information on careers in their specialties. In addition, exciting cultural-related and adventure trips will complete the curriculum.
At the end of our three-week course, you will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of your language of study, a grasp of general cultural norms, and a jump start in preparing for college-level foreign language or international affairs education leading toward a potential career in federal service. You may (with the agreement of your school) also be awarded one high school unit of academic credit for successful achievement of first or second-year Arabic, Chinese, Korean, German, Russian, Portuguese or French proficiency levels as set forth in the Georgia Performance Standards.
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| University of North Georgia Scenic Campus in Dahlonega, GA |
What are the dates?
- First session: 9-28 June 2013 Languages offered (only beginning level offered):
Chinese I
* Portuguese is a joint University of North Georgia and University of Georgia
initiative. Graduating high school seniors may also apply. Preference will be given to those who have
been admitted to UGA and plan to pursue UGA's Portuguese Flagship
program. UGA will make the admission decisions on students participating in the Portuguese FSLA in
early April. Partial scholarships may be available through UGA's Portuguese Flagship Program (see
- Second session: 7-26 July 2013 Languages offered (you can take either the beginning level or level II course):
Am I eligible to participate?
To participate, you:
- must be a rising sophomore, junior or senior in high school when you start FSLA: graduating seniors may also apply to the Portuguese module. The academy is open to Georgia residents as well as out-of-state students.
- must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale in your college-preparatory courses (does not include electives such as band, chorus, technical courses, etc.).
- must be interested in exploring federal service careers or international affairs.
- must be in good physical, emotional and athletic condition. Athletic condition means you must be able to run at least a mile in 9 minutes or less, and be capable of doing push-ups, sit-ups, and other calisthenic exercises for a duration of 30 minutes or more. Good emotional health means no diagnosis of depression or suicide ideation, nor prone to physical violence or severe home sickness.
- must take a sports physical exam if you are selected for the program.
- must plan to attend a 4-year university after high school.
- must be a legal resident of the United States or an international student living in a country outside the US.
Notes:
(1) You'll be given special consideration if you have previously taken one year of any foreign language, with a grade of B or higher, during your high school career.
(2) If you have already taken your target language in high school (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Korean, or Russian), then you should either apply for another language that you have not previously taken, or take the Level II course offered in your target language during the second (July) session. Applicants to the Portuguese course, who have already taken Portuguese in high school, should contact UGA's Flagship Program (brazil@uga.edu) before completing their applications.
(3) We're looking for students who have integrity. Therefore, if you provide inaccurate information on your application, you will not be admitted to the academy. If you are already enrolled, and we discover and inaccuracy, you may be removed from the academy.
(4) We will conduct the proposed sessions if there is enough demand. Therefore, we may cancel sessions if we don't have enough students interested.
(5) You are welcome to attend both the June and the July sessions. You may take the Level I course in the 1st session, followed by the Level II course in the second session. Total cost for both sessions will be $3,790.
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2011 Session Field Trip to China
Town Market
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Most of the Day You'll Be Learning
Your Selected Language
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You Will Participate in Physical
Fitness Education Daily!
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You Will Hear Presentations From
Federal Government Agencies
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Click on image to see video:
learning German
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Click on image to see video:
learning Russian
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Click on image to see video:
white water rafting
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What is the Portuguese Flagship Program at the University of Georgia?
The PFP at UGA is the first and only program of it's kind in the United States. In collaboration with The Language Flagship and Saao Paulo State University, the mission of UGA's PFP is to prepare undergraduate students, through innovative language education, to graduate with superior level of proficiency in Portuguese and overseas internship experience, to create the next generation of global professionals. For more information, please visit: www.thelanguageflagship.org
How are the FSLA classes taught?
The FSLA was developed in part through collaboration with the Center for the Advancement of International Education (CASIE) and the Georgia Department of Education (GA DOE) under the supervision of Jon Valentine, Program Specialist for Languages at the GA DOE. Each course features 145 hours of instruction (contact hours). The FSLA features a 90-10 model of language instruction whereas the instructors use the target language at least 90 percent of the instructional time. Based on the use of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) curriculum, highly qualified, native speaker instructors trained in the use of GPS and LinguaFolio assessment, and the collaboration with the GA DOE, it is acknowledged that these courses meet all the requirements for first-year and second-year modern language in Georgia. For that reason, the GA DOE recommends that first-year or second-year modern language high school credit be awarded for these courses.
Who teaches the classes?
Courses will be taught by highly-qualified teachers with advanced to superior proficiency using first-year and second-year Modern Language Georgia Performance Standards. Teachers are selected through a competitive hiring process which includes a target language interview. See "Additional Information" below for biographies on 2012 teachers. Tutors, with high levels of target language proficiency, will be assigned to each class to assist with learning, study and practice.
What will it cost?
The cost of the program will be $1,895. This is the entire cost of the program and includes tuition, room, meals, books, and trips. This works out to about $95 per day.
How and when do I apply?
The academy is limited to 16 students per language per three-week session. Therefore, admission to the FSLA will be competitive. Application window opens 1 August 2012 and closes 1 May 2013. After the application window closes, we will select and notify the participants before the end of April or as soon as possible thereafter. If you're accepted into the program, we will mail you a letter and acceptance packet that explains the details of registering and paying for the program. If you wish to apply, fill out the on-line application at the bottom of this page.
Please note: there is no requirement for additional information other than what is specified in the application. Additional documentation will not be accepted.
How many students will apply?
For the 2012 sessions, we had 220 applicants for the 144 slots available. Admissions decisions are based primarily on the 250 word essay, with secondary emphasis on grade point average and physical fitness. There is no format to the essay; however, we will consider those who most closely fit the intent of the FSLA, as set forth in the seven criteria for participants. In your essay, you should clearly address these topics: interest in a federal service career, interest in foreign languages, and interest in fitness.
How and when do I pay?
After you have been accepted to the program, you may pay by credit card, personal check or cash. Detailed instructions will be provided with your registration packet. Payment will be due before 25 April 2013.
Are there scholarships available?
The Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE) offers five $500 partial scholarships for the academy. To be eligible, you must demonstrate financial need. The link to the scholarship application is here: CASIE Scholarship The Portuguese Flagship program at UGA offers $500 partial pre-collegiate scholarships for the Portuguese module. To be eligible, you must be a graduating senior, admitted to UGA, and have submitted a Portuguese Flagship Program application, which can be found at lacsi.uga.edu
When and where do I check in, and what do I bring?
Check-in location will be in Gaillard Hall on the campus of the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. Check-in time is 1500-1700 (3 -5 PM) on Sunday, 9 June for the first session and the same time on Sunday, 7 July for the second session.
A list of mandatory items you will bring will be provided in your acceptance packet.
Will I have any time off or can I have visitors?
Because this is an immersion model, it is a seven-day-per-week program. You will live and study on campus for 21 consecutive days. There will be very little scheduled free or unsupervised time. Most of your out-of-class time will be devoted to individual and group study and practice in your target language. Visitors, friends, and parents are discouraged from visiting.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
For questions concerning content and eligibility, please e-mail Ronda Dowell, ronda.dowell@ung.edu or call 706 864-1991.
For questions about check-in or any other administrative, logistical or technical needs, please e-mail: Ms. Deb Adams at dwadams@northgeorgia.edu or call 706 867-2815 or 706 864-1918.
Check out the Foreign Language Programs at the University of North Georgia
More Information on the Federal Service Language Academy
Typical daily schedule
6:00 AM Wake up
6:30 AM Physical education
7:30 AM Showers, personal hygiene
8:30 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Classes Begin
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Classes Begin
5:00 PM Class Ends
5:30 PM Dinner
6:00 PM Personal time
7:00 PM Cultural and language-related activities
9:00 PM Personal time and study
10:00 PM Bed, lights out
Physical Education
Many jobs in the federal government require their employees to be in good physical condition. Some jobs require you to live and work in remote, austere and/or hostile environments. For these reasons, the academy includes a mandatory physical fitness component. Five days per week, you will participate in a one-hour physical education session with your fellow students. These sessions will consist of aerobic, anaerobic, endurance, muscular strength, movement and flexibility exercises and activity. To avoid the heat of the day, sessions are scheduled for the early morning hours. Students will be divided into "ability" groups so that those who are in outstanding physical condition will be in a group of well-conditioned students. Similarly, those who are less conditioned will be in a lower ability group. These physical education sessions are not designed to embarrass anyone. Students who do not recognize the value of physical conditioning should not apply. Students who wish to improve their condition are welcome. Fitness sessions will be supervised by a highly experienced university staff member who will ensure that the activities are conducted safely.
Living arrangements
You will live in Gaillard Hall which was renovated in the Summer of 2012 and has a stunning view of the North Georgia mountains. You will live in a room with a roommate. Your room adjoins a common bathroom that is shared with another room and two other students. The two rooms and bathroom constitute a suite. Only students of the same gender will live in a suite. The suites for all students in the same language cohort will be in the same area on the same floor. Tutors and counselors will live in the vicinity of their cohorts. Photos of residence hall, rooms and bathroom are below:
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Safety
There is a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per week highly professional campus police force. In addition, students will be supervised 24/7 by counselors, teachers and tutors. There will be no unsupervised time! A highly trained university staff member will oversee the physical education component to manage risk and ensure the safety of students. A highly trained and experienced staff member will be in the residence hall during all night hours. Moreover, the FSLA staffs a full time camp director who is responsible for student welfare, supervision, and discipline.
If you would like information about the Corps of Cadets at North Georgia, go to www.northgeorgia.edu/cadetadmissions
Camp Director Biography from Summer 2012
Dr. Victor Zaborskiy is an Atlanta-based independent export control consultant doing business as Special Trade Operations Consulting. Prior to registering his own business name in 2006, Dr. Zaborskiy served as Senior Researcher at the Center for International Trade and Security at the University of Georgia for more than a decade. His area of expertise is strategic trade controls developments and nonproliferation export control regimes. Currently, Dr. Zaborskiy provides nonproliferation export control training and consulting for governments and industries in former Soviet republics and beyond.
Dr. Zaborskiy also publishes and speaks on missile nonproliferation issues. He was a guest speaker at the conference “Missile Proliferation: New Challenges and New Responses” in May 2007 in Copenhagen marking the 20th anniversary of the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Dr. Zaborskiy holds M.A. and Ph.D. in International Relations from Ukrainian Institute of International Relations at Kiev State University, Ukraine.
Teacher Biographies from Summer 2012
Russian
My name is Oleksandra Yefremova or Sasha. In Russia “Sasha” is a short name for Oleksandra/Alexandra. I was born in Sevastopol, Ukraine. I am a native Russian speaker. I moved to America in 2001. I was employed with the Cobb County, Georgia, School District as a Russian interpreter/translator for six years.
My studies at Ukrainian State University provided me the opportunity to study and analyze key concepts, principals and practices of foreign languages and pedagogy. I hold a clear renewable certificate in English and Russian languages. I am currently working as an ESOL teacher in a local elementary school. Outside work I spend all of my time with my four years old daughter.
I believe that all children and adults are capable of learning. Research proves that the longer students study a foreign language, the stronger their skills become to succeed in other subjects. I look forward to working this summer with the students at North Georgia.
Chinese
Ni hao! My name is Ling Rao, your Chinese laoshi (instructor)! I was born in a spectacular mountainous region of south China, Jiang Xi province. I have been teaching all levels of Mandarin Chinese in the University of Georgia since 2009 while pursuing my Ph.D. degree in Comparative Literature, and was an Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award Winner in 2012 in UGA. Before coming to UGA, I got my master's in Shanghai International Studies University and have been interpreting and translating for various universities, consulates and corporations and was also an active debater and adjudicator for China's national English Debating Competition.
Being able to speak Chinese will give you a distinctive edge in the job market, whether you are considering a degree in business, international affairs, science, medicine, or a government job. Our FSLA three-week intensive Chinese immersion is going to equip you with basic language skills, cultural awareness and efficient learning techniques, preparing you for endless possibilities and further learning in the future. On top of that, we are going to have some great FUN learning Chinese both in class and through authentic cultural field trips!!
Arabic
Haider A. Bhuiyan, Bangladeshi origin, living in North America since 1983, earned his B.A in History and Education from the University of Garyounis, Benghazi, Libya; M.A. in American and minority history from the University of Manitoba, Canada; and Ph.D. in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Utah. He loves Arabic language and the culture of the Middle East. He has been the student of Arabic and Islam since his early childhood school level. Teaching Arabic to non-Arabs is his passion. He has been teaching Arabic since 2005. He has always been fan of soccer and volleyball. He also likes watching American sports and games such as basketball, boxing and wrestling.
French
My name is Benoit Leny and I will be the instructor for French, the second session of the 2012 FSLA at NGCSU. I am a French native. I grew up in France, in the area of Toulon (southeast of France, near Marseille) which is in the region of Provence and although not very famous, is renowned in France for its military harbor and its great rugby team, (of which I am a great fan!).
I have now lived in the United States for about 6 years, in TX for the most part, but I have visited most of the US, except for the northwest region (Yellowstone, SF, Seattle...). I love travelling and I have visited or crossed (on road trips) most of the major cities in the US: Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans, Miami, Atlanta, DC, Philadelphia, NYC, Boston, Cleveland, LA, San Diego......
I originally studied business and graduated with a Bachelor in Business and a Master in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. However, I am now into teaching languages and I just graduated with my second masters, a Master of Romance Languages (in French obviously) and I have been teaching at the college level for the past two years which I enjoyed very much.
I am trilingual as I speak French, English and Spanish and I learned my two non-native languages through immersion stays abroad, in Great Britain, in Spain and in the US (California). This is why I am pretty excited to teach this Summer Session of the FSLA as I truly believe that the best way (if not the only way) to learn a foreign language is through immersion.
German
My name is Nathalie Palotz and I am originally from a small village in Bavaria, Germany. I spent most of the last couple of years in Würzburg, a city in Northern Bavaria with about 120.000 inhabitants. After graduating from the German equivalent of High School, I studied at the Bayerische Julius-Maximilians-Universität in Würzburg, majoring in linguistics and literature of the English and French-speaking world. Furthermore, I studied Psychology and Pedagogy in order to become a High School teacher.
After two years of experiencing the German educative system, I will now be the German Instructor at NGSCU teaching both German I and II. In my opinion learning and knowing foreign languages is not only useful during a vacation and necessary in today’s world, it also opens the door to another culture. I hope I’ll be able to open that door together with the students in order to make them understand the German language and culture.
Student Testimonials from Summer 2012
"FSLA is an amazing program. It provides a strong sense of community amongst classmates/roommates, and the physical training is a very important factor while learning the target language. Team sports are also encouraged, with many tournaments being held between classes to help promote fun outside of the intensive course."
"The chance to learn Arabic exists many places, but I don’t think I will ever find another place to glean such valuable experience as the FSLA has to offer. The people I met, the friends I made, and their contributions to my time in the FSLA are the ones that taught me the most during my three weeks packed with learning. I wish I could figure out what chemistry works behind such a wonderful group. I would never have to work again. There is no way for me to thank the people around me enough – they deserve the credit of making our time in the FSLA so inexpressibly wonderful and valuable."
"This program opened so many doors for me. I was especially interested in the Peace Corps, something that I had never thought of before. The people I met here are incredible, and I will definitely keep in contact with them. I plan to continue my German studies. I feel I have a solid understanding of basic German now. FSLA has made me even more excited about learning more languages."
See more FSLA 2012 and 2011 Testimonials
Video From the Classrooms in Summer 2011 - Click Image Below
Contact Us
Continuing Education
82 College Circle
Dahlonega, GA 30597
Phone: 706-864-1918
Fax: 706-864-1686
Email: conted@northgeorgia.edu
