ATHENS, Ohio -- This summer students from across the country will come to Ohio University to study African languages as part of the Summer Cooperative African Language Institute (SCALI) from June 23 through Aug. 8. The university will host the largest African language institute in the country, through a consortium of African Studies Programs.

Students will engage in the study of as many as 13 languages at SCALI. This intensive seven-week institute will provide the equivalent of one year of African language instruction with exposure to the culture and traditions associated with the chosen language. SCALI is funded by the United States Department of Education and offered collaboratively by the Title VI National Resource Centers for African Language and Area Studies.

The following African languages will be offered at SCALI: Akan/Twi, Amharic, Bamana, Gikuyu, Lingala, Pulaar, Shona, Somali, Swahili, Tigrinya, Wolof, Xhosa, Yoruba and Zulu.

The SCALI program offers intensive African language instruction for four hours per day, and students can earn a total of 12 credit hours for the program. Non-credit options are also available. SCALI will coincide with the annual Summer Institute for the African Child courses, which will focus on the theme "Communication and Development of the African Child" in Summer 2003. SCALI students may enroll in these courses for no additional cost.

SCALI sponsors at Ohio University are the African Studies Program, the Center for International Studies and the Department of Linguistics. SCALI co-sponsors are Boston University, Indiana University, Michigan State University, Rutgers University, Stanford University, University of California-Berkely, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Florida, University of Illinois, University of Kansas, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin and Yale University.

Assistant Professor of Linguistics John Mugane, who also serves as president of the African Language Teachers Association (ALTA), will direct SCALI. "As the leader of ALTA I have keen interest in the African Language teaching and learning enterprise in Ohio University and beyond," Mugane said.

He added that in accepting the challenge of hosting SCALI, Ohio University is "taking up the responsibility of consistently availing quality African Language instruction to U.S. colleges and universities."

"Being supported by our peer institutions to host this national program is an indicator of how strong our African Languages Program is," said Steve Howard, director of African Studies at Ohio University. "It will be a great African summer in Athens where students can select from among more than a dozen African languages and also choose from an array of courses offered through the Institute for the African Child."

Howard, who is a professor of educational studies and also directs the Institute for the African Child, will study Somali this summer through SCALI. "A student could get three years worth of language training within the next 14 months here," he said. "It's a great opportunity to expose yourself to the exciting cultures that lie on the other side of learning these African languages."

"Ohio University's hosting of SCALI comes at a time when the nation is reconsidering its role in the world," Howard said. "Americans tend to be among the world's most monolingual people, and yet we are finding increasing need to communicate with diverse communities all over the globe. We are proud to welcome to our campus the American students who are anxious to learn Africa's indigenous languages and the African instructors who will be teaching them."

For more information or to apply, visit the SCALI Web site at www.ohiou.edu/linguistics/dept/SCALI/Index.html

For information regarding registration and logistics contact Assistant Director of Community and Professional Programs Pat Davidson at (740) 593-1767 or davidson@ohio.edu.