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Concordia Language Villages

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Concordia Language Villages is an internationally recognized and respected world-language and -culture education program, whose mission is to prepare young people-- the "villagers"-- for responsible citizenship in our global community. Begun in 1961, the Language Villages annually serves over 10,000 young people, aged 7-18, from all 50 of the United States, Canada, and 24 other countries. Concordia Language Villages has long been a model of quality and innovative programming in immersion education and currently offers sessions in 14 languages: Arabic, Chinese, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. Year-round programs are also available for adults, elderhostelers, families, teachers, and school groups. Five high school credit abroad programs are offered, in China, France, Germany, Japan, and Spain.

There are six architecturally and culturally authentic village sites (Finnish, French, Spanish, German, Norwegian, and Russian) in Bemidji, and culturally authentic villages at several other sites throughout Minnesota, as well as Savannah, Georgia, Switzerland, and China. Concordia Language Villages is sponsored by Concordia College of Moorhead, Minn., a private four-year liberal arts college.

Simulations play a major role in giving villagers the opportunity to experience historic events and situations in international affairs that affect world peace. Examples have included world religions, children’s rights, and tolerance. Comfort with the language, open-mindedness, and awareness of world citizenship are core values taught at Concordia Language Villages. Villagers learn these important values daily, bit by bit, experience by experience.

A typical day at one of the Villages (each named "Lake of the Woods" in their respective language, the English and Arabic language villages excepted) includes cultural and typical summer camp activities. Villagers might go canoeing, create art projects, play African drums, practice yoga, play ping-pong, or make a film-- all in the target language. Each moment is used to teach the language. Camp songs and daily skits are an integral part of the village experience, as are jokes, games, and weekend dances-- fun is taken seriously at Concordia.

Names of the villages and Year Established

Arabic: Al-Wāḥa (est. 2006)

Chinese: Sen Lin Hu (森林湖) (est. 1984)

Danish: Skovsøen (est. 1982)

English: Hometown, USA or Hometown, Europe (est. 1999)

Finnish: Salolampi (est. 1978)

French: Lac du Bois or Les Voyageurs (est. 1962)

German: Waldsee (1961-First Language Program)

Italian: Lago del Bosco (est. 2003)

Japanese: Mori no Ike (森の池) (est. 1988)

Korean: Sup sogǔi Hosu (숲 속의 호수) (est. 1999)

Norwegian: Skogfjorden (est. 1963)

Russian: Lesnoe Ozero (est. 1966)

Spanish: El Lago del Bosque (est. 1963)

Swedish: Sjölunden (est. 1975)

Notable Visits

Over the years, Concordia Language Villages has been visited by numerous dignitaries and supporters, including:

  • Spanish Consul General Rodrigo Aguirre de Cárcer (1983)
  • German Ambassador Peter Hermes (1983)
  • German Ambassador Gunther Van Well (1987)
  • Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson (1991)
  • Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton (1991 and 1992)
  • Finnish Ambassador Jaakko Laajava (1998)
  • German Ambassador Jürgen Chrobog (1998)
  • Austrian Ambassador Peter Moser (2002)
  • Ambassador of Norway to the United States Knut Vollebæk (2003)
  • Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Wolfgang Ischinger (2003),
  • Italian Consul General in Chicago Eugenio Sgró (2003)
  • Finnish Consul General in New York Jukka Leino (2003)
  • Finnish Ambassador Jukka Valtasaari (2004)
  • Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein Claudia Fritsche (2004)
  • Deputy Chief of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany Klaus-Peter Gottwald (2005)
  • Deputy Chief of Mission of Sweden Caroline Vicini (2005)
  • Counsellor of the Royal Norwegian Embassy Kirsten Hammelbo (2005)

International Patronage Granted

His Majesty King Harald V of Norway has granted royal patronage to Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village. Patronage is an affirmation from the Royal Family of Norway of the quality educational programming of Concordia Language Villages.

Mr. Johannes Rau, former President of the Federal Republic of Germany has also granted personal patronage to Waldsee, the German Language Village. This patronage is symbolic of the strong bonds between the people of Germany and Concordia Language Villages.

Support from World Leaders

Other world leaders have also endorsed Concordia Language Villages, notably former U.S. President Bill Clinton, whose daughter Chelsea attended Waldsee for six summers. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale have spoken on behalf of Concordia Language Villages, proclaiming it the finest language program in the world.

Internal Culture

Oddities of Concordia Language Villages are many. They have a relatively high vegitarian and vegan ratio, which they cater to an amazing degree. Strong female leadership is evident when looking over the list of deans/directors. Strong environmental goals encompass all aspects of the program from recycling, waste reduction, water managment, encouragement for campers to bring bio-degradeable toiletries, alternative energy sources like solar and geothermal power are implimented on the permanent site. The new Waldsee "Biohaus" is a testament to these goals.

Each Language Village, and more particularly each site, has numerous traditions. For example the French camp has songs for "Hot Chocolate" "Baguettes" and "Salade" as well as a camp soap opera called "Plasirs d'amour" that has been running in the program for decades. Many traditions are related to meals and songs. Meal-Presentation skits are a language tool implimented by almost all programs. Additionally the fusion of American and Foreign cultures has created a strange linguistic phenomenon sometimes refered to as Lac du Bois's "Franglais" (french+anglais) or Waldsee's "Dinglish" (Deutsch+english). Examples would be "Je need a couteau" or "What did you sehen at the Kino?". Rarely do Villagers ever refer to site buildings by their english names even when speaking english. The "Bahnhof" is never called "The Train Station", even by the maintenance staff.

Other examples of "Concordianisms" include words in the various target languages that are not native to the target cultures but daily words in camp life. Examples include "Chipmunk", "Poison Ivy", "Mosquito Repellent", and "Buddy Board". Some languages, of course, do have these words, but not all, and so words are invented by native speaking staff members. Concordia Language Villages, like many modern organisations has a rich lexicon of accronyms used mostly by the administration. Examples include: C.L.V. (Concordia Language Villages), V.S.S. (Village Support Services), WFMan (Water Front Manager), B.A.A.C. (Bemidji Area Advisory Council), I-Day (International Day-also in native languages I-tag and Journee-I), G.A.C. (Governance Advisory Council), and the D.C. (Distribution Center),

Critism

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