Concordia Language Villages

Updated 3/07

Students interested in foreign language and culture have many options (some listed below) through the Concordia Language Villages programs as they study one of the following languages of their choice: Chinese, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish or Swedish. In July 2006, Arabic was also offered during two-week immersion sessions, with Modern Standard Arabic serving as the foundation and additional exposure to various dialects. In 2007 a 4-week credit program in Arabic is available for high school students, as well as an immersion weekend for adults and a family week.

Camps are held at different Minnesota locations with multiple choices of session dates. See www.ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org or call 1-(800) 222-4750 for more specifics, and check out Megan’s article below for EPCGT student comments.

1-Week Exploratory Session

Ages 7-11 and 11-15
Students are introduced to language learning and a new culture for the first time. Villagers participate in daily language sessions and activities such as singing, dancing, canoeing, arts & crafts, and role-playing. This is recommended for villagers leaving home for the first time.

2-Week Immersion Session

Ages 8-18
This “most popular” program is designed to give learners of all levels an in-depth immersion experience. Lessons and activities are similar to the 1-week session. Each Village plans an evening cultural program.

1-Month High School Session

Grades 9-12
Students receive high school credit for 1 year of high school language study. Designed for learners at all levels. Includes thematic curriculum, experiential immersion techniques and performance-based assessments.

1-Month College Credit Session

Grades 11-12
College credit sessions are designed for high school advanced language speakers studying French, German or Spanish who have completed 3 years of language study. The sessions are held at the respective language camps, and students receive one college credit (4 semester hours) for satisfactory completion. Students must apply to be accepted into the program, which requires a letter of recommendation from a language teacher and one from a community member, a high school transcript, and a short composition in the language that offers a rationale for taking the course. A telephone interview is the final step in acceptance into the program.

Credit Abroad Programs

Grades 10-12 with 2-yr high school language proficiency
Experiential learning and formal study of language and culture in France, Japan, Germany, Spain or Russia. The focus is to learn about each country’s culture through study of its geography, history, customs and people. Homestays are available at all but Russia. Varied high school credit is recommended.

The following article was written by Megan Hawkins, an EPHS graduate who went on to complete a degree in journalism.

When searching for a summer camp, it soon becomes evident that there are hundreds to choose from in the U.S. One unique opportunity is offered through the Concordia Language Villages, where students can experience entirely different cultures without ever leaving Minnesota.

The Concordia Language Villages draw students and staff from around the world to participate in summer camps each year, which range from 1- to 2-week stays to month-long camping experiences where students can earn academic credit. Camps are located at a variety of locations, mostly in northern Minnesota. At the villages, students are exposed to native foods, languages, music, people and activities. They can choose to immerse themselves in Chinese, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish or Swedish lifestyles.

When students arrive at camp, they are placed in groups for the different activities in which they will participate. Typically, they are placed in one group based on language ability (for lessons twice a day), a cabin group based on age (with whom they eat and live, along with two or three counselors), and a “family” group in which they do cultural activities and are exposed to people from all over the camp. These groups allow students to meet and spend time with a variety of people, and create the community atmosphere of the village.

The different camps are each set up to correspond to the cultures they represent. For instance, at Spanish camp, students rest after lunch every day, just as most Spanish cultures take part in siestas. The foods served also introduce students to the various cultures. For instance, Spanish camp often includes foods such as rice and beans in its meals; Norwegian camp serves the typical bread, cheese, meat, potatoes, and fish; Japanese camp often serves noodles, rice bowls, and soup, and allows students to try more daring foods, such as squid.

Linda Wallenberg, an Eden Prairie teacher who served as the dean of the Swedish camp for 20 years, says the language villages offer a unique way of learning. Students don’t just learn by the books, but learn through participation. Furthermore, what they learn sticks with them because they apply it and use it 24-7 while at camp. Her two children have also participated in the Swedish camp, where they have made valuable friendships while learning to love the culture and language. Wallenberg has been thrilled to watch her children experience something she wishes she had as a child, and watch them go from knowing nothing about the language to knowing how to say key words, phrases, etc. For this family, highlights of the villages include the friendships they make, the counselors, and celebrating holidays such as the unique July Christmas that the Swedish observe.

I attended Spanish camp for two weeks while in high school and learned a great deal about many Spanish-speaking cultures during my stay. The camp was based on interactive learning where students participated in everything from skits to talent shows to teaching one another Spanish songs. We ended the session with an International Day, where all of the nearby camps met for a day of sharing all we had learned and experienced, including foods, dances, and music.

Jens, a 7th-grader, has attended the Norwegian camp once and Spanish camp four times. He highlighted evening activities with the entire camp as one of the most memorable aspects of his experiences. At night, everyone in the village would gather to do something together based on Spanish culture. Some of the Spanish camp’s activities include a mock wedding and a celebration of Spanish-speaking countries, where information about each is shared.

Mike, also a 7th-grader, attended Japanese camp last summer for two weeks. He enjoyed many activities including story time, when a counselor would tell a story in Japanese while others, dressed in costumes, would act it out. At the end, the story was explained in English. During activity time, students could participate in karaoke, cooking, origami, calligraphy, and drawing, among other things. A party was held one night, as it is in other camps, and students could go to the dance or do other activities. Japanese dress was encouraged if students brought items from home.

Linnae, an 8th-grader, attended Norwegian camp last summer for one week. A beginner, she learned basics in Norwegian, such as colors, numbers and useful phrases. At the village, campers could see immigrant cabins, where students are often amazed at how people once lived in such small spaces, and learn cultural arts such as rosemaling. One of Linnae’s favorite things about camp was that she “met a lot of new people and learned the culture,” which allowed her to explore her family’s Norwegian heritage.

Krista, a 5th-grader, has gone to the Norwegian camp for three summers, staying two weeks each time. She has moved up a level each year in learning groups, and says that speaking Norwegian is greatly encouraged, especially at meal time, when students can earn beads for speaking only in Norwegian. At the end of the session, the group with the most beads is rewarded with an activity. Krista says that one week is a short time for learning, so she recommends staying for two, unless students tend to be homesick.

The unique thing about the Concordia Language Villages is that they immerse children in a new way of life and open their eyes to things they may never have thought about before. Students interact with people from places they’ve only before read about in books and learn that other lifestyles and cultures really do exist. The villages allow children to enjoy summer at camp, meet a variety of people, and learn while doing it all.

More information about the Concordia Language Villages and its programs can be found at www.ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org. The organization also offers opportunities for teachers and adults, year-round events for all ages and credit abroad programs.