Overview

The Fields Program is a unique opportunity for Yale undergraduates majoring in fields other than language and literature to achieve advanced levels of language proficiency within the context of their academic major. Those studying less-commonly taught languages are particularly encouraged to apply, as opportunities to undertake discipline-specific and advanced-level language study are often scarce for such languages. Fields students spend up to two years following a highly individualized program of advanced-level foreign language study, in which language practice is linked to students' majors or other areas of academic and intellectual interest.

Program Components

Funding and support are provided through Fields for several components that contribute to the integration of language and discipline studies:

Language Partner
A carefully structured relationship between the student and a native-speaking language partner supports the student's developing linguistic and cultural competence.
Mentoring
A professional in the student's field who has international experience provides insight and guidance specific to the student's interests and goals.
Coaching
The student meets regularly with a coach for guidance and coordination on the overall Fields experience, as well as advice on learning strategies, techniques, and resources to support ongoing independent study.
Field Experience
Study abroad, internships, or other experience in the field are integrated into the student's overall academic plan.
Coursework
The student pursues relevant advanced-level coursework at Yale, including content-based language courses when available.
Instructional Materials
Discipline-specific instructional materials (text, audio/video, online) will be identified, acquired, and created when necessary.
Assessment
Regular assessment throughout the course of study allows the student to monitor progress, while formal post-program assessment by a certified professional provides documentation of recognized levels of proficiency.

Possible Paths

Examples of the type of discipline-specific programs of study that may be undertaken include:

Arabic
Advanced-level study and practice of Modern Standard Arabic as well as colloquial Arabic may be connected with the study of political science, government, economics, diplomacy, international relations, international security, or related social sciences. Field experience might include an internship with a governmental body or study abroad in an Arabic-speaking country. An economist or professor of international relations might serve as a mentor.
Indonesian
A student majoring in music may complement his or her coursework with the study of Indonesian language, learn from a mentor who might be an artist or professor of music, and take part in a field experience studying gamelan ensemble performance in Bali.
Russian
Russian language studies might be paired with coursework in environmental studies, ecology and sustainability, public health, and sanitation infrastructure. These studies may be enhanced by engaging in an internship experience in Russia.
Turkish
Advanced-level study of Turkish might be paired with study in a range of disciplines, such as religious studies, social reform, history, and women's studies. The student might pursue these interests in working with Turkish populations in the U.S. or abroad.
Urdu
The study of the Urdu language may be integrated with study of economics or ethnicity, race, and migration. An internship in Pakistan or India would complement this study.

Compelling applications involving other language/discipline combinations will also be considered.

What Students Gain from the Program

Beyond the rich experience that results from the integration of language and discipline studies, participation in the Fields Program can

support students in the preparation of a senior thesis;
help students to shape career goals and identify professional resources;
provide students with a portfolio of their experiences and studies, which can subsequently be presented to potential employers or other interested parties;
aid in procuring financing for study abroad, internship or other field experience;
support Yale's commitment to internationalization by providing opportunities that shape students' orientation to a complex world;
and engage students in rewarding relationships both at Yale and all over the world.

Because each Fields scholar will create an individualized program of language and discipline study, each student's experience will yield different kinds of rewards; every Fields scholar, however, can expect to make considerable gains in linguistic abilities, intercultural competence, and intellectual and practical knowledge in his or her chosen field.

What Students Invest in the Program

Students in the program are expected to adhere to the plan of study decided upon with their coach at the start of the program and to honor their commitment to a daily schedule of independent work with their tailored instructional materials. Students will be scheduled to meet for weekly practice sessions with the Language Partner and must meet all requirements of any courses for which they are enrolled. Evaluation of students' progress, including their language development will be carried out each semester.

It is essential to the success of the program that students clearly understand what is expected of them in such an independent learning environment: they must be self-directed and self-disciplined. Students must be willing and able to assume full responsibility for their learning, both in class and in the field. Participation in the Fields Program, then, requires a significant commitment of time and dedication on the part of the student.

More Information

For eligibility and application procedures, please click here.

For questions not answered on this website, contact fields@yale.edu or call (203) 432-0584.