INITIATIVES
National Security Language Initiative (NSLI)

"Learning somebody else's language is a kind gesture, and a gesture of interest. It is a fundamental way to reach out to somebody and say, 'I care about you'. I want you to know that I'm interested in not only how you talk but how you live."
   President Bush
   January 6, 2006

The National Security Language Initiative, launched at the University Presidents Summit (2006), is designed to dramatically increase the number of Americans learning critical need foreign languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Farsi, and others through new and expanded programs from kindergarten through university and into the workforce. An essential component of U.S. national security in the post-9/11 world is the ability to engage foreign governments and peoples, especially in critical regions, to encourage reform, promote understanding, convey respect for other cultures and provide an opportunity to learn more about America and its citizens. To do this, Americans must be able to communicate in other languages, a challenge for which most citizens are totally unprepared.

To address these needs, under the direction of the President of the United States, the Secretaries of Education, State, and Defense, and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) have developed a comprehensive national plan to expand U.S. foreign language education beginning in early childhood (kindergarten) and continuing throughout formal schooling and into the workforce with new programs and resources.
 
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Last Modified: 10/12/2007