World Languages Programs & Competitions for High School Students

Language programs include fully-funded immersion abroad (NSLI-Y, CBYX), linguistics olympiads, and university language intensives.

Real proficiency in a strategic language is one of the rarest and most fundable skills a high schooler can demonstrate — several programs here pay your way.

31 verified programs match this page; 14 of the featured listings are completely free; 10 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• Khan Academy High School Volunteer Translation Program — Khan Academy: Translate educational content to make free learning accessible worldwide.
• National Japan Bowl — Japan-America Society of Washington DC: Compete in the National Japan Bowl to showcase your Japanese language and cultural knowledge. Build key skills, earn scholarships, and enhance your co
• Le Grand Concours - National French Contest — American Association of Teachers of French: National French language competition. 5 levels from elementary to AP.
• National Spanish Exam Gold Medal — AATSP: Top 2.5% of test-takers. National recognition in Spanish proficiency.
• AFS Intercultural Programs — AFS Intercultural Programs: One of the world's oldest and most respected international exchange organizations. Spend a summer, semester, or year studying abroad in 50+ countries
• Youth for Understanding (YFU) Exchange Programs — Youth For Understanding USA: Academic exchange in 60+ countries. Year, semester, and summer options. Extensive scholarship opportunities.
• Boren Scholarship — National Security Education Program: Unlock free study-abroad scholarships to master languages and cultures while boosting college applications. Perfect for high school seniors passionate
• National Italian Exam — American Association of Teachers of Italian: Boost your Italian language skills and stand out on college applications with this national online competition for high schoolers. Open to grades 9-12
• CIEE Global Navigator High School Summer Abroad — CIEE: Explore immersive summer programs abroad for high schoolers in grades 9-12. Build global skills, enhance college applications, and gain hands-on exper
• National Spanish Examinations Gold Award — American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese: National Spanish proficiency exam with tiered awards. Gold medal recipients demonstrate exceptional Spanish language mastery.
• Concordia Language Villages — Concordia College: Immerse yourself in a unique summer program with Concordia Language Villages. Build language skills, explore global cultures, and enhance your college
• Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy — Middlebury College: Immerse yourself in an intensive summer language program for high schoolers. Build fluency, boost college applications, and gain hands-on cultural exp
• National German Exam — American Association of Teachers of German: Challenge your German skills with this national language competition for grades 7-12. Boost your college applications while advancing language profici
• NSLI-Y Creative Content Fellowship — U.S. Department of State: State Department program combining critical language learning with creative content production. Unique blend of language skills and creativity.
• State Seal of Biliteracy — Various State Departments of Education: Earn the State Seal of Biliteracy to showcase bilingual skills on your diploma and transcript. Boost college applications and gain recognition for lan
• World Language Honor Societies (Multiple Languages) — Various: Join world language honor societies to excel in Spanish, French, Latin, and more. Boost cultural skills, earn recognition, and enhance your college ap
• The Experiment in International Living — World Learning: Explore immersive summer programs for high school students, combining cultural exchange, language learning, and homestays to boost college application
• National Latin Honor Society — American Classical League: Join the National Latin Honor Society to celebrate your academic excellence in Latin. Boost college applications, deepen language skills, and connect
• Paideia Essay Contest — Modern Greek Studies Association: Join a national essay competition exploring Greek language and culture. Open to high school students, this free contest boosts writing skills and stre
• National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) — U.S. Department of State: Immerse in a free summer program abroad to master critical languages, explore diverse cultures, and boost college applications. Perfect for ambitious
• Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) - High School — U.S. Department of State (administered by AFS/CIEE/YFU): Merit-based full scholarship for an academic year in Germany with a host family.
• National Security Language Initiative for Youth Creative Content Fellowship — U.S. Department of State: Fellowship creating digital content about language learning experiences. Alumni of NSLI-Y eligible. Combines language skills with creative communicati
• Le Grand Concours National Gold Medal — American Association of Teachers of French: Top national performers in National French Contest. Highest recognition for French language achievement.
• International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) Team Selection — USA Computing Olympiad: US team selection for International Linguistics Olympiad.
• Duolingo Thrive Scholarship — Duolingo: Empower your college journey with the Duolingo Thrive Scholarship, rewarding English learners for academic excellence and resilience. Free, virtual, a
• National Classical Greek Exam — American Classical League: Boost your college applications with the National Classical Greek Exam, a hybrid competition for grades 9-12. Showcase your language skills and earn r
• Delta Epsilon Phi German Honor Society — American Association of Teachers of German: Excel in German language and culture with Delta Epsilon Phi, a high school honor society. Boost college applications and develop skills through hands-
• National Vocabulary Championship — Wordsmyth: Test your vocabulary skills in this free online competition for grades 4-12. Boost language mastery, stand out on college applications, and challenge
• North American Computational Linguistics Open (NACLO) — NACLO Organizing Committee: Puzzle-based linguistics contest with open and invitational rounds.
• Dartmouth Rassias Language Program — Dartmouth College: Intensive language immersion using Rassias method at Dartmouth. Rapid language acquisition through active learning.

Frequently asked questions