Proficiency in foreign languages is one of the most valuable and important skills in today’s Foreign Service.  AFSA’s Sinclaire Language Awards program honors language students for outstanding accomplishments in the study of a “hard” language and their associated cultures.  AFSA established this language-award program based ona bequest from Matilda W. Sinclaire, a former Foreign Service Officer.
Candidates for the award are nominated by the language-training supervisors at the FSI School of Language, or by the language instructors at the field schools. They are selected by a committee composed of volunteer AFSA members, a member of the Governing Board who serves as chairman and the AFSA Coordinator for Professional Issues.  Each of the winners receives a check for $1,000 and a certificate of recognition signed by the AFSA President and the chair of the AFSA Awards committee. 

AFSA congratulates the 11 winners of this year’s Sinclaire Language Award, and commends the School of Language Studies at FSI for its dedication in preparing students of hard languages for the intense challenges of modern diplomacy. 

This year’s winners are: 

Anthony Baird was a previous Sinclaire Language winner for Georgian in 2003