Superior Level Language Program
AIIS will offer superior level language instruction in Bangla, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Urdu, Telugu, Kannada as well as other languages if there is interest.
The term superior level Language learner typically refers to an individual scoring at a level of 3 or higher on the 5-point Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) language proficiency rating scale or above according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. A learner at the Superior level can "communicate in the language with accuracy and fluency in order to participate fully and effectively in conversations on a variety of topics in formal and informal settings", while a learner at the Distinguished level “begins to approach the level of an educated native speaker” Speakers at these levels also possess the academic discourse skills that would be expected of any educated person in the target culture, such as the ability to hypothesize and persuade.
Students participating at the superior level come with advanced level language training and some materials in mind to work with, and a plan for what they want to accomplish while with the AIIS. This might be books or articles pertaining to their research or something else which is relevant for their language learning. In addition to helping the students with their specific goals, AIIS will develop materials appropriate more broadly for Superior-level students, such as classical literature, and high level vocabularies, and foster superior level listening skills through movies and speaking through activities like debate and oral presentation on complex topics. In addition, the AIIS will introduce students, learners to resource persons/experts in their fields