Concordia Language Villages

In 1960, Concordia College professor, Gerhard Haukebo had a dream to offer language learning programs for youth through innovative immersion methods and cultural activities in a summer camp-style setting. The next year, Prof. Haukebo launched a pilot program at Luther Crest Bible Camp near Alexandria, Minn., called “Waldsee,” with the goal of teaching German to kids ages 9-12. The program was a resounding success and interest in this idea steadily increased. By the late 1960’s four more languages were added and 800 acres of lake shore property was acquired near Bemidji, Minn. It was time to take the next step: to build a Village of our own. In 1970, we completed construction of Skogfjorden, our Norwegian Language Village, on the shores of Turtle River Lake. Since then, we have built seven more culturally-authentic Villages with more than 200 buildings. The newest addition is Sup sogŭi Hosu, the Korean Language Village. The Villages are more than just a collection of buildings. They provide the space to create a community of learning and understanding. They allow for the exploration of a new world which is intentionally constructed to evoke the look, feel, sounds and tastes of communities where these languages are spoken. They give villagers the opportunity to embrace our natural setting in Minnesota's North Woods, unplugged from screens and headphones. We have literally created a World of possibilities and, with your help, we will continue to inspire courageous global citizens at Concordia Language Villages for years to come! Be a part of sustaining this World of possibilities by making a gift of $100, $250, $500 or more to the “It Takes a Village” fund in order to help us invest in the maintenance and upkeep of our beloved Villages! Use⬇️this link⬇️to make a gift today! https://loom.ly/womMlWU

🌍 Curious about spending your summer at Concordia Language Villages? Join our virtual info session on Tuesday, November 12 at 5 p.m. Central to learn all about our summer youth programs! Get answers to your questions and discover how you can immerse yourself in a new language and culture. Don’t miss out—see you there! 🌟 Register Now: https://loom.ly/jGTeTK8 #ConcordiaLanguageVillages #Summer2024 #LanguageLearning #VirtualInfoSession

🌟 Week Four Wrap-Up: AmeriCorps NCCC at Concordia Language Villages 🌟 Our amazing AmeriCorps NCCC team has been hard at work, and we couldn't be more thankful for the incredible progress they've made! 🙌 🔨 Brooke and Gemma have been staining the beautiful Salolampi Finnish Language Village cabins, adding a fresh, vibrant touch to the Village. 💦 Ben power-washed the trusses of El Lago del Bosque Spanish Language Village, while Nick sanded benches and helped paint cabins. 🖌️ 🛠️ Tristan skillfully used a power saw to craft a floor for the Spanish storage shed, while Ben organized scrap wood for an epic future bonfire. 🔥 🎨 Dejah and Nick brightened the El Lago del Bosque hacienda courtyard with a fresh coat of paint, and Brooke and Jost showed off their AmeriCorps pride, rocking those signature green hoodies! 💚 And to top it all off, the team was treated to the magical sight of the Northern Lights! 🌌✨ Way to go, team! Your hard work is shining as bright as the auroras above! #AmeriCorps #AmeriCorpsNCCC #ConcordiaLanguageVillages #MakingADifference #Teamwork #NorthernLightsMagic

🌍 Spotlight on Lac du Bois French Language Village! 🌍 Since 1962, Lac du Bois has brought the magic of immersion to life through the grand simulation of living in another language. Villagers dive into French language and culture through dynamic activities inspired by French-speaking countries around the world! 🇫🇷🎨 Whether you’re creating le batik (fabric art with wax and dye), learning new songs or dancing along to traditional music, les activités are endless. No matter your skill level—whether you’re just learning to say bonjour or reciting Baudelaire—Lac du Bois helps you learn at your own pace through engaging listening, speaking, reading, writing and conversational exercises. Find chez toi (your place) at Lac du Bois and join our vibrant community! 🌟 #ConcordiaLanguageVillages #FrenchImmersion #LacduBois #LanguageLearning #CulturalExploration #FindYourPlace

🌟 Celebrate the Season at Our Nordic Holiday Weekend! 🌟 Join us from December 6-8 for a delightful experience filled with the rich traditions of the Nordic countries! 🎄✨ At Concordia Language Villages, immerse yourself in the festive spirit as we explore Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish customs. 🎉 What to Expect: 🍪 Hands-on workshops: Bake delicious holiday treats and create beautiful crafts! 🎨 Engaging cultural activities: Learn about unique Nordic traditions and celebrate together! 🍽️ Festive feasting: Enjoy delightful Nordic cuisine with family and friends. Don't miss this chance to make memories, learn something new, and embrace the magic of the holiday season! 🥳 📅 Register by November 8 to secure your spot! ➡️ Learn more and register: https://loom.ly/7WfL9oY #NordicHolidayWeekend #ConcordiaLanguageVillages #CelebrateCulture #HolidayTraditions #FamilyFun

Water science made a splash at Concordia Language Villages! On October 10, 2024, fourth and fifth graders from Red Lake, Blackduck, Kelliher, and Ponemah had the chance to dive into hands-on water demonstrations at the annual Water Festival. Hosted at our beautiful Waldsee German Language Village, students learned about firefighting, chemistry and the physics of water, all thanks to the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources and the Headwaters Science Center. Check out this KAXE/KBXE - Northern Community Radio article to see how water science is inspiring local students! https://loom.ly/gXyvI1Y

🌍 Calling All World Language Educators! 🌍 We’re thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity for your high school students: STARTALK at Concordia Language Villages! Through a federal grant, we’re offering fully-funded, four-week immersive programs in Chinese and Russian. These overnight camps not only immerse students in the language and culture but also provide them with the chance to earn a full year of high school credit! Program Highlights: ✨ Tailored Curriculum: Courses are designed for different proficiency levels and cover contemporary cultural topics. ✨ Full Immersion: Students engage with authentic resources and interact with field experts daily. ✨ Community Experience: Living in a supportive, communal environment fosters deep language learning and cross-cultural understanding. Important Dates: 🔸 Chinese Program: July 21 – August 16, 2025 🔸 Russian Program: July 14 – August 9, 2025 🔸 Pre-Camp Online Orientation: May 2025 Encourage your students to take advantage of this amazing experience! Applications are rolling, with priority for students with financial need or prior language experience. 📍 Visit our website for more details and to apply https://lnkd.in/gNDYbu4c Let’s inspire the next generation of language learners! #STARTALK #WorldLanguages #ConcordiaLanguageVillages #LanguageLearning #Summer2025 #Chinese #Russian #LanguageEducation #Immersion

Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, a time to honor the rich histories, cultures and ongoing contributions of Native American communities, while recognizing their resilience in the face of both past and present oppression. Bemidji, where many of our programs are based, is located on lands between the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation and White Earth Nation. Explore K-12 educational resources to learn more about Native Minnesota here: https://lnkd.in/gEThi4Vd And if you're in Minnesota, celebrate with your local community by joining one of these Indigenous Peoples' Day events: https://lnkd.in/gpwnrt6Z

📢 We're hiring! Concordia Language Villages is looking for a Summer Program Director or Co-Director for our Spanish Language Village at the North Site. 🌍✨ In this role, you'll lead our immersive summer programming, including a one-week youth overnight and day camps. If you're passionate about Spanish language education and cultural immersion, this is the perfect opportunity! 📅 Apply by October 25! 👉 Learn more and apply: https://loom.ly/iMAFu6I #LanguageLearning #SummerJobs #Spanish #ConcordiaLanguageVillages #CulturalImmersion

🌏✨ Our very own Korean Language Village Dean, Dafna "Dahee" Zur, is making waves in the world of Korean language education! In a recent interview, she discusses the growing demand for Korean language learning and the exciting developments at Sup sogŭi Hosu. With 20 years of experience at the Korean Language Village, including the past decade as dean, Dahee has been instrumental in raising Hangeul’s global profile. Check out the full article to learn more about the future of Korean language teaching! 🌏💬 https://loom.ly/G-o7yX0 #KoreanLanguage #Hangeul #Education #SupSoguiHosu