FLAS Fellowships - Language Reference

[fishsauce]

Hey all!

 

I'm currently applying for a Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship at one of hte schools I'm interested in. On the application it asks for a "language reference" or a third academic reference. As I am intending to begin studying my language of interest at a second year level, I would like to use that slot for a language reference.

 

However, I have never taken any formal college classes in my language of interest. It's been a combination of self-study and language schools.

 

Would you recommend putting my instructor at the language school I'm attending? He would not be an academic reference, but he's the only person who's familiar with my language skill.

 

Or should I just put a third academic reference instead?

 

Thanks!

Edited January 24, 2013 by fishsauce

[Murklins]

If I were you, I would contact the program and explain everything. Then, ask them what they prefer. I'm guessing that they will ask for the language reference, even if he isn't a professor.