Fully-funded Two-week Graduate Course in Russian Pedagogy

Concordia Language Villages announces an opportunity funded by the STARTALK program.

The Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century and principles of second language and immersion pedagogy serve as the framework for this four-credit graduate-level course. In this residential program designed for K-16 teachers of Russian, the participants will enhance their understanding of best practices in teaching Russian through participation in language learning groups and activities at Lesnoe Ozero, the Russian Language Village of Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, MN.

Active participation in the Russian Language Village program will be accompanied by class discussions about the methods observed and current research on second language acquisition. Observation, participation in, and analysis of a variety of methodologies in action at Lesnoe Ozero will help participants define their personal instructional philosophy.

The use of music to teach Russian will be highlighted in the program with discussions facilitated by guest presenter, Dr. Laurie Iudin-Nelson. Because of the building configuration of the Russian Language Village, participants will be able to live on-site for this experience, participating in the daily schedule as observers and co-leaders of activities as appropriate. They will also have their own classes to discuss professional readings, share observations, and prepare materials for use at Russian Language Village and in their classrooms.

Lara Ravitch, Dean of the Russian Language Village, will serve as an instructor, specializing in content-based instruction. Dr. Laurie Iudin-Nelson, Director of Russian Studies and Head of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, will be a guest presenter. Donna Clementi, longtime staff member at Concordia Language Villages, will be the lead instructor. Four graduate credits will be awarded for successful completion of the course.

Course title: Second Language and Immersion Methodologies for STARTALK teachers
Dates: June 21 - July 7, 2012
Location: Concordia Language Villages, Bemidji, Minnesota

Program costs:
$1780 Tuition for the four-credit graduate course ($445/graduate credit)
$1120 Housing and all meals at the Russian Language Village

Full scholarships in the amount of $2900 are available to participants through the STARTALK program. In addition, each participant will receive up to $400 to defray the costs of travel to Bemidji, Minnesota.

STARTALK scholarships are available to applicants who are selected to participate in the program. Selection is based on response to the question about motivation for applying to the STARTALK program, and current/future teaching situation.

Ravitch, L. [SEELANGS] Fully-funded Two-week Graduate Course in Russian Pedagogy - summer 2012. SEELANGS listserv (SEELANGS@bama.ua.edu, 17 Apr 2012).

Contact information for this program:
Donna Clementi; clementi at cord dot edu