What are critical languages?

Career: Critical Language

Critical languages are languages that the U.S. government has identified as important for national security, diplomacy, and economic competitiveness, but which are not widely taught in the United States. Examples include Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Persian, and others. These languages are considered 'critical' due to the strategic need for speakers and the relative shortage of proficient individuals. Learning a critical language can open up unique career opportunities in government, international relations, and global business.