Concordia College and its Concordia Language Villages program in Bemidji, Minnesota, are expanding opportunities for students to earn academic credit through new dual credit and college-level language and cultural programs, beginning this year.
These offerings build on Concordia Language Villages’ nationally recognized immersive education model and Concordia College’s liberal arts academic foundation.
“Global connection begins with communication, and language learning gives students the tools to connect in meaningful and lasting ways,” said Dr. Gay Rawson, professor of French at Concordia College and director of external relations and strategic initiatives for Concordia Language Villages.
Dual Credit: High School and College Credit in Four Weeks
The new Dual Credit Language Program gives eligible high school students the opportunity to earn one full year of high school language credit and one full year of college credit in just four weeks.
Dual credit options are currently available in Spanish and French.
The programs take place on the campus of Concordia College in Moorhead, where students live in a residence hall and experience college life while participating in hands-on language learning inspired by the Concordia Language Villages immersion model.
The dual credit programs run June 28-July 24.
“What excites us most is the opportunity these programs create — for students to build confidence, earn credit, and see themselves as capable global learners,” Rawson said. "And they're going to have a lot of fun doing it."
The dual credit sessions build on the Language Villages’ long-standing high school credit program, which continues to offer 15 language options across immersive two- and four-week summer camps near Bemidji.
Workshops and Weeklong College Courses
Beginning in March, Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages will also offer college-level programs in Bemidji for students from any college or university, as well as for young professionals. Some programs focus on language and culture, while others address skills needed in a global economy.
Participants can earn one college credit through the weeklong programs, including:
- Chinese Language and Culture
- Russian Language and Culture
- Introduction to 21st Century Global Issues (offered twice)
In addition, a weekend workshop will focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, national defense, and public policy.
More information about college programming is available at ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org/college-programs, and details about dual credit programs can be found at ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org/dual-credit.
About Concordia Language Villages
Concordia Language Villages, located in Bemidji, Minnesota, is a recognized leader in global education, offering immersive language and cultural programs in 14 languages. Each year, Concordia Language Villages engages thousands of youth, educators, adults, and organizations from across the United States. Through culturally authentic villages, our world-class immersion camp settings in the North Woods of Minnesota provide unique environments in which youth and adults at all levels of language proficiency are able to truly live the language. Learn more at ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org.