1. What is ASK?

The Advanced Study of Khmer (ASK) program is an intensive eight-week advanced Khmer language-training program held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It aims to fill in a void in the academic community by providing 3rd year level students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to acquire the linguistic foundation necessary to engage in academic research, professional discourse, and cultural interaction with all segments of Cambodian society.

2. As a Khmer American, am I eligible for ASK program?
Yes, the program is for heritage and non-heritage learners alike. The eligibility is based on the following criteria:

1. Individuals who are eligible:
   1. A citizen or national of the United States, or a permanent resident of the United States;
   2. A faculty member who teaches modern foreign languages or area studies;
   3. A teacher in an elementary or secondary school;
   4. An experienced education administrator responsible for planning, conducting, or supervising programs in modern foreign languages or area studies at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary level; or
   5. Graduate student, or a junior or senior in an institution of higher education, who plans a teaching career in modern foreign languages or area studies.
   6. Complete 2 years of Khmer language study (pass intermediate level)
   7. A heritage (Khmer-American) and non-heritage learners.
2. Individuals who are not eligible:
   1. Individuals who have participated in either the US/ED Group Project Advanced Program or Seminar Abroad Program in the past three years (2003-2006); or
   2. Individuals who have had two awards with either the US/ED Group Projects Abroad Program or Seminars Abroad Program, unless the award was received 10 years ago.
   3. Individuals who are currently unemployed.
   4. Individuals who are educated native or near-educated native speakers.(For further details, contact sak@hawaii.edu)
3. Restriction on non-participants:

   Spouses, other family members, and friends, who have not been selected to participate in this project according to the selection criteria state in the approved application, are not permitted to join the group at any point during the program.

3. I never attended formal Khmer language classes, am I eligible?
Please refer to the criteria above. Should have language proficiency beyond 2 year level.

4. How do I know my language proficiency level?
For sample of level, click here