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Concordia Language Institute


Summer 2021 | Online Language Courses | Earn College Credit

Learning a language opens up a world of new personal and professional possibilities.

The Language Institute is a collaborative program offered through Concordia's Department of World Languages & Cultures in partnership with the Concordia Language Villages. This unique program gives students of all ages the opportunity to explore language interactively with others in a comfortable online learning environment. Courses are open to anyone (post high school) interested in exploring a new language. 

Students may choose from undergraduate college credit courses in over 10 different languages! A majority of our courses are for beginners with no previous experience. There are also intermediate and advance options available for those with previous language experience (see the schedule below for course options and dates).

All courses are taught by language instructors from Concordia College and the Concordia Language Villages in an online format. Most courses are taught in a synchronous format, but there are some hybrid and asynchronous options. Don’t worry, we feature the same best practices and ideals toward developing a sense of community through highly interactive discussions and activities in every course!


Languages


The Language Institute is currently offering language instruction for all levels of learners in the following languages...

Arabic | BCMS | Bulgarian
Chinese | Dakota | ELL
French | German | Korean
Russian | Spanish

BCMS (Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian)

Tell us what languages you're interested in!


About the Faculty


Language courses are taught by experienced faculty from Concordia College and the Concordia Language Villages. Faculty have backgrounds in multiple languages and varied educational experiences. They have traveled the world and been recognized for their excellence in world language instruction.


Register


Registration for our language courses is easy! Click on the course name in the schedule to register for one or more courses. You will be admitted to Concordia to receive college credit for the courses you complete.

Scroll down the page to see all the course offerings!


Concordia Language Courses


Whether you're beginning a language journey or advanced in navigating a language, we offer a variety of languages, levels and delivery methods. Use the schedule below to find a course you're interested in and click the course name to register!

Other language learning options ...

Concordia World Language & Cultures
M Ed | World Language Instruction
Graduate-Level Language Courses


Dakota Language Courses


In the summer of 2020, Concordia College began a collaboration with Dakhóta Iápi Okhódakičhiye to offer specialized courses for two overlapping groups: Dakota language learners and those who are or wish to become language teachers. We are proud to offer a suite of courses designed for those who teach endangered, indigenous heritage or less commonly taught languages. Our courses also benefit teachers of any language with important knowledge and skills.

Use the schedule below to find a course you're interested in and click the course name to register!


Language Training Center Courses


In partnership with the 300th MI BDE of the Utah National Guard and the Sixteenth Air Force (16 AF), San Antonio TX, the Concordia Language Training Center offers language and cultural immersion courses.

Eligible participants should visit the Language Training Center site to review the current course schedule. 

Review instructions for receiving undergraduate college credit.


Benefits of Learning a Language


According to author and global marketing consultant Stacie Berden’s research, during the COVID-19 pandemic, on one language learning app alone, more than 30 million people attempted to learn a new language, many of them in the United States. That method does not often bring about the proficiency and intercultural competence that is needed to be a responsible global citizen and be successful in the workplace.  There is a critical need for people with knowledge of a second language.

Our program utilizes the expertise and training of professional language instructors to deliver a high quality and high impact educational experience.

Learning languages builds intercultural communicative competency and the global knowledge skills employers are seeking, and applicants are missing. Research has also shown that knowledge of another language can result in as much as a 20% salary increase in certain jobs. Language skills are therefore desperately needed and in short supply. We also know it is much easier for someone who already knows a second language to pick up a third or fourth.

There are a myriad of other great reasons to speak a language – from increasing critical thinking skills and improving test scores to powerful cognitive benefits supported by brain research. 

The best possible outcome of speaking a language is communicating with others. Being able to have a simple conversation is a huge reward in itself and will make it easier to stay motivated, build confidence and keep practicing! So, pick a language, any language, and get started today!


Language Learning Stats


If you need more convincing about the practical benefits of learning a new world language, read on…

Recent reports from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) demonstrated conclusively that “America’s language capacity has reached a critical breaking point. This has real world implications for business, government, the military, and diplomatic and intelligence services.” (JNCL-NCLIS) Here are some report statistics:

  • 9 out of 10 US employers rely on employees with world language skills (ACTFL)

  • 1 in 3 foreign language-dependent employers report a language skills gap (ACTFL)

  • 1 in 4 employers lost business due to a lack of foreign language skills (ACTFL)

  • 44 states plus Washington DC reported a world language and / or bilingual K-12 teacher shortage (US Department of Education, 2018)

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) confirms:

  • 96% of employers place the greatest degree of importance on areas such as intercultural skills (96% important with a subset of 63% saying it was very important)

  • 55% commented that Global knowledge was important

However, the AAAS reports:

  • Only 20.7% of US residents speak a language other than English at home and that only a fraction of that cohort speaks, reads, and comprehends the second language well enough to use it professionally.

 


Summer 2021 Undergraduate Courses

Review our Language Self-Assessment Guide to understand your proficiency level and register for appropriate courses.

PRINT | Language Institute Overview

The courses below are designed to meet a variety of students' needs and interests:

  • Individuals interested in a beginning language course with an experienced instructor and other students of the same level.

  • Intermediate and advanced language learners looking for courses focused on relevant social topics and immersive experiences.

  • NOTE: Current Concordia undergraduate students should register for the 4 credit version of these courses through Banner.

  • NOTE: Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment.

Instruction Delivery Methods

Online Synchronous Scheduled online meeting times with students and instructor.
Online Asynchronous
Self-paced completion of course requirements within the term. Optional scheduled online meetings with the instructor.
Online Hybrid A mix of both online synchronous and online asynchronous instruction. The instructor will schedule time for students to meet as a group. Some coursework is done independently.
Blended Mostly in-person instruction. The instructor may set online meeting times for group sessions.

Arabic

Beginning Arabic I (3 Credits) | Beginning Arabic I (4 Credits) (wlc-111)

Online Hybrid
Entry Level June 7-July 2 M-W-F
9:00 a.m. to noon
3-4 Credits
Instructor:
Dana Idelbi

Introduction to Arabic Language & Culture (WLC-380)

Online Hybrid
Entry Level May 10-June 4 M-T-W-Th
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
3 Credits
Instructor:
Maher Alkhateeb

Global Political, Social, Economic and Environmental Issues in the Arabic-Speaking World (WLC-370)

Online Hybrid
Advanced May 10-June 4 M-T-W
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
3 Credits
Instructor:
Yola Nakchbandi

BCMS

Beginning BCMS I (3 credits) | Beginning BCMS I (4 credits) (wlc-111)

Online Hybrid Entry Level May 10-June 4 M-W-F
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
3-4 Credits
Instructor:
James Joshua Pennington

Bulgarian

Beginning Bulgarian I (3 credits) | Beginning Bulgarian I (4 Credits) (wlc-111)

Online Hybrid
Entry Level June 7-July 2 M-W-F
8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
3-4 Credits
Instructor:
Tsvetelina Yordanova

Chinese

Beginning Chinese I (CHIN-111)

Online Synchronous Entry Level May 10-June 4 M-F
8:30 to 11:45 a.m.
4 Credits
Instructor:
Paul Faust

ELL (English Language Learners)

English for Academic Purposes (3 credits) | English for Academic Purposes (4 credits) (ELL-111)

Online Hybrid
Entry Level May 10-June 4 M & W
9:00 a.m. to noon
3-4 Credits
Instructor:
Anne Walker

French

Accelerated French I (FREN-113)

Online
Asynchronous
Entry Level-Intermediate May 3-August 13   4 Credits
Instructor:
Rachel Dwyer

Francophone Films (FREN-350)

Online Hybrid Advanced May 10-June 4 W
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
4 Credits
Instructor:
Gay Rawson

Young Adult Literature in French (FREN-380)

Online Hybrid Advanced
May 3-August 13 TU
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
4 Credits
Instructor:
Gay Rawson

Critical Topics and Social Justice in the Francophone World (FREN-380)

Online Hybrid Advanced
June 7-July 2 W
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
2 Credits
Instructor:
Jordi Teillard-Cui

German

Accelerated German (3 Credits) | Accelerated German (4 Credits) (GER-113)

Online Hybrid Entry Level May 10-June 4 TBD 3 Credits
Instructor:
Allison Schmidt

Korean

Beginning Korean I (3 credits) | Beginning Korean I (4 credits) (wlc-111)

Online Hybrid
Entry Level June 7-July 2
M-F
11:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m.
3-4 Credits
Instructor:
Insook Kang

Russian

Beginning Russian I (3 credits) | Beginning Russian I (4 credits) (wlc-111)

Online Hybrid
Entry Level May 10-June 4 M-F
9:00-11:00 a.m.
3-4 Credits
Instructor:
Anna Classing

Global Political, Social, Economic and Environmental Issues in the Russian-Speaking World (WLC-370)

Online Synchronous
Advanced
May 10-June 4 M-F
10:00-noon
3 Credits
Instructor:
Alisa Gordeeva

Spanish

Beginning Spanish I (SPAN-111)

Blended (Mostly in-person)
Entry Level May 10-June 4 M-F
8:30-11:45 a.m.
Bishop-Whipple 244
4 Credits
Instructor:
Ingrid Luna-Lopez

Beginning Spanish II (SPAN-112)

Online Hybrid Entry Level May 10-June 4 M & W
times TBD-contact the instructor for details
4 Credits
Instructor:
Adriana Johnson

Covid-19 and Latin America (SPAN-380)

Online Synchronous Advanced
May 10-June 4 M-F
8:30 to 11:45 a.m.
4 Credits
Instructor:
Alexander Aldrich

Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition (SPAN-380)

Online Synchronous Advanced
June 7-July 2 M-F
8:30 to 11:45 a.m.
4 Credits
Instructor:
Alexander Aldrich

Dakota Language Courses


The Dakota Language courses are organized by Dakhóta Iápi Okhódakičhiye, which works to maintain and revitalize the Dakota language on Dakota homelands. For more information, please visit www.dakhota.org.

Click on the course title to register!

IMPORTANT NOTE: In addition to completing your course registration, please complete the Dakota Language Prerequisite Form. This form provides instructors with useful information about your experience and interest in the Dakota language.


language to live in: Content-integrated language instruction for endangered Languages

Prerequisites: Conversational proficiency in Dakota needed; Active teaching position (Individual exceptions by instructor)

Online Synchronous Intermediate
June 14-June 25
M-F
5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
4 Credits
Instructor:
Anke al-Bataineh

Dakota language Online for ToTAL Beginners

Online Synchronous
Entry Level June 14-June 25
M-F
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
2 Credits
Instructors:
Anke al-Bataineh
Raine Cloud (Dakota)

Dakota Language for Advanced Beginners

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Dakota vocabulary and simple grammar is required.

In-person or Online Synchronous
Intermediate June 28-July 9 M-F
10:00 a.m. to noon
2 Credits
Instructors:
Šišóka Dúta (Joe Bendickson) (Dakota), Ethan Neerdaels (Dakota), Summer DuMarce (Dakota)

Dakota Language for Intermediate Learners

Prerequisites: Some conversational proficiency in Dakota is required.

In-person or Online Synchronous
Intermediate
June 28-July 9 M-F
10:00 a.m. to noon
2 Credits
Instructors:
Neil McKay (Dakota), Monica Siems McKay

Dakota Immersion Cultural Exploration

In-person or Online Synchronous
Entry Level
June 28-July 9 M-F
10:00 a.m. to noon
2 Credits
Instructors:
Anke al-Bataineh, Šišóka Dúta (Joe Bendickson) (Dakota), Ethan Neerdaels (Dakota)

Meet the Program Director


Dr. Gay Rawson is a Professor and Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Concordia College. She has become a recognized expert on technology and its implementation in world language classrooms, receiving the ACTFL/Cengage Postsecondary Award for Excellence in Foreign Language Instruction Using Technology with IALLT in 2020. She shares this knowledge through publications, workshops, presentations, undergraduate and graduate courses. She is also involved in the First-Year Experience, Global Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies Programs, and directs the International Business program in France. Dr. Rawson is a certified expert in translation and interpretation and was a certified ACTFL AAPPL rater and OPI tester. She has presented internationally on technology, foreign language pedagogy, study abroad programs, business languages, literature, cross-cultural / intercultural communicative competence, and relationships between literature / medicine. She has led numerous study abroad programs in Cambodia, Cameroon, France, Germany, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Switzerland, and Vietnam. She was also program director for a US Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad curriculum development project to Cameroon, in which K-18 teachers developed classroom materials on culture, cinema, and commerce in Cameroon. She is the instructional lead for a STARTALK Chinese teacher-training program and has been involved with the Fargo Chinese STARTALK Teacher and Student programs since 2014. While she mostly teaches undergraduate and graduate French language and pedagogy courses, she has experience teaching across the spectrum, from pre-K- 18 and adult learners. 


About Concordia


Learn more about Concordia's strong foundation in the liberal arts, its rich history and traditions, and what it means to become responsibly engaged in the world.

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Request Information


For more information about the Language Institute contact Dr. Gay Rawson at rawson@cord.edu.

Questions about Language Training Center courses should be directed to ConcordiaLTC@cord.edu.

For information about the Graduate Certificate of graduate courses, please contact medwl@cord.edu.

Concordia Language Villages


For over 50 years, more than 150,000 villagers have joined us in our mission to inspire courageous global citizens. CLV provides programs for adults and educators, youth and high school students. Our programs are for those who don't just speak the language, they live it!

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