Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Family Week?Family Weeks take place during the beautiful Minnesota summer. Most of these programs start on Monday and run to the following Saturday; currently only the Spanish family week is a Sunday to Friday program. Like our summer programs for young people, you will enjoy a variety of activities, including sports, music, arts and crafts. You’ll enjoy authentic cuisine as well. Our Family Week program is an active learning vacation for the whole family!
After you register, you will receive a welcome packet which will provide you with specific information about the Family Week you will attend, including a tentative daily schedule. You will also receive a transportation form and health form which you will need to return to us promptly. You will also receive a recommended packing list, as well as a Language Villages Passport for each registered family member. Closer to the program start date, you will also receive a letter from the program leader.
Who are the families who attend?
Our families come from around the United States and Canada to experience the unique educational environment that only Concordia Language Villages can offer. Many of our families are looking for a way to introduce language learning to their young children. The Family programs are a great way to get young learners familiar with the Language Villages, and many of these children return on their own for one- and two-week sessions the following summer. Some families attend to experience part of a common heritage as a family; others come to share part of an international experience by one of the family members with the rest of the family; still others want to prepare for travel abroad or hosting an exchange student; then there are some who just want to experience something new, go on a safe and fun adventure! The Family Week offers programming for both adults and children, and makes for a great family retreat. And, we define “family” in the broadest terms, including grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, neighbors and friends, as long as there are adults accompanying children.
How much is my child going to learn?
Learning a language certainly takes time, but it can also be rewarding and fun! The Family Week program allows learners the opportunity to interact with others using the target language in an encouraging and supportive environment. This kind of real communication is impossible to replicate by using a text book or computer program. At the same time, participants learn about the culture, history, folklore and traditions of the nations where the language is spoken. We strive to meet language learners at their individual developmental and linguistic levels. For this reason we will have several times during the day where children partake in language activities geared towards young learners, while adults attend language lessons according to their language abilities.
Young children get a head start on language learning in the Family Week program. Preschool aged children, depending on their independence, might spend much of the day with their parents in large group activities. At other times, they might participate in cultural activities led by our staff, which will allow adults to partake in lessons and activities of their choosing.
How much do adults learn?
Adults learn at their own pace. The Family Week program will give beginners a foundation in basic conversational skills used in daily life. All learners will enjoy music, skits, informal conversations, formal instruction and activities-based language learning. More advanced learners will be able to delve into topics of particular interest to them through specific cultural activities, language lessons for more advanced learners and conversations with other learners as well as our staff. When you arrive, we will determine which level of language learning group you belong to. There will be times when you are with other learners at the same language level, as well as times when the language abilities of learners are mixed.
Do children and parents learn together or in separate groups?
Language development sessions will be separate for children and adults; they are also divided by language ability. Activities like sports, crafts, nature hikes, swimming and cooking can be attended by both children and adults as a family or, individually depending on interest. We do not provide babysitting services. Younger children may need a parent to accompany them throughout the day and that may affect the extent to which that parent can focus on his or her own language learning process. During large group activities, our staff works to group families in numerous ways, either by family, by age or by language level.
Will the staff speak English to me?
Our staff is trained to express themselves in a variety of ways to help language learners understand the context of what is being communicated. As part of the immersion setting, the staff will focus primarily on the target language. You’ll be amazed at how much you will learn and how comfortable you will be after just one day in the program, even if you have never been exposed to the language before!
Where do we live?
We typically house two to three families (or more, depending on the facility and the size of family units) together in a cabin dormitory-style housing, unless you request otherwise. Our cabins usually house 12-14 people depending on the site. Bathroom facilities are either directly in the housing unit or a short walk down the path. Our staff does not live with you; instead parents are responsible for their own children. Within each cabin, families are accommodated in semi-private areas. We do our best to put similar families together, taking into account gender of participants and the ages of children. If you would like to share with another family who you know is attending please note this on your registration form.Q:
What do we eat?
The cuisine at Concordia Language Villages is culturally authentic, nutritious and balanced. Be prepared to try new dishes from around the world. We have years of experience in providing child-friendly food that, at times, offers something unique and “different” from what children may be accustomed to. All food is prepared from scratch by our own staff; breads and desserts are made fresh daily by our bakers. Our program staff will sit with you at meals to help you continue to use the target language during your meal.
What is considered contraband in the program?
Concordia Language Villages provides learners with a unique immersion experience. This means we do not allow certain items in our programs, as they distract from the language experience. These items include books and music and other English language media, cell phones, MP3, CD and cassette tape players, and food. As a rule, we do not allow food items into our cabins, as woodland creatures will quickly find their way into your living space! A complete list of what is contraband at the Village is available in our family handbook. Religious materials written in English are, however, allowed.
That said, we understand that adult participants often need to stay connected to their jobs and families; we do allow adults to use with discretion some items which are considered contraband. We ask you to support the immersion environment by refraining from using these items in front of our youth participants. If the need arises, we ask that you use your cell phone in the privacy of your cabin. If you have a laptop computer of your own, please bring it along if you will need to use the internet during your stay; wireless service is generally available; reliability may vary due to rural setting. The dean of your program will show you where you can access the internet within the Village. We discourage you from bringing valuables to the Villages. Each site does have a safe where we would be happy to store plane tickets or other essential valuables during your stay. We do not lock the cabins during the program. Smoking is only allowed in the designated smoking area. Alcohol and pets are not permitted on our sites.
How is healthcare/medication handled?
Parents/guardians are considered the primary caretaker and responsible for the well-being of themselves as well as the children in their care. Medication must be left in the cabins/living space of each family and is the responsibility of the adults in the family.
At minimum, each village has a staff person credentialed in first aid and CPR. If your family is with us during one of our regular youth sessions, our Health Center staff will be available at designated hours. These personnel can help with some routine heath needs. Should need arise, you also have the option of accessing care at the local clinic in town.
The Village staff will go over site-specific emergency procedures in each Village on the first evening of the family week program. First aid kits are also available in several locations around the village.
What should we bring?
You will receive a packing list to help your family pack for the Family Week program. You will also receive a Concordia Language Villages passport, which you will bring to the program (no need to bring your real passport!). You should bring your own bedding and towels to the program, as well as clothing and toiletries to last you a week. You should also feel free to bring cultural realia related to the language of your program, including folk costumes, books and pictures. You’ll likely find many fellow language enthusiasts who share your interests.
Do you have high chairs and cribs available?
We are not able to provide high chairs or cribs for smaller children. It’s best if you bring a portacrib and a portable high chair, if needed. Toddlers need to be able to sleep in a twin bed on their own (otherwise please bring a travel crib) and will be allowed only in the lower-level bunk beds.
What does the cost of the program include?
The cost of program includes instruction, materials, housing and meals.
What does the cost of program NOT include?
The cost of program doesn’t include transportation, your bedding, pillows or towels. Nor do we provide notebooks, pens or paper. We will have some dictionaries and basic textbooks for you to use during the stay, but you may want to bring your own learning materials from home.
Are scholarships available for the Family Week?
No scholarships are available at this time.
I’m a native speaker. Can I help during the session? Would I get a discount?
We often have native speakers attend with their families. Most of the activities will be great to do together. There could be plenty of opportunities to pitch it but no discount will be given.
How much free time is there?
In order to provide family members with the optimum immersion learning experience, the program is filled with a variety of structured and informal language learning opportunities. Each program typically includes some personal, unstructured time during the day. Specific questions on the daily schedule can be directed to the sample daily schedule each dean will provide as part of the pre-session mailing.
Will we be able to sightsee in Bemidji during the program?
Our program is meant to keep you busy with language and culture learning during the whole week and our goal is to immerse you completely into the target language/culture. In order to not interfere with the sense of immersion there will no time scheduled for leaving the program and site. Please do any sightseeing before or after the program.
Who are your staff?
The staff at Concordia Language Villages come from a variety of backgrounds, but all are committed to helping you along your language journey! Some are native speakers of the language, while others are Americans who have spent time living in countries where the language is spoken. Some of our staff are undergraduate students in the field of education. Some are licensed teachers. All of our staff enjoy working with young people, and are passionately enthusiastic about language and culture! And, all are experienced at learning a second language, so they’ll be able to relate to what villagers (adult and youth) are going through.
Is continuing education credit available?
Continuing education credit is not offered at this time.
How do we get to the program?
Families are responsible for arranging transportation to the Village. Most families will drive to our sites in private vehicles. You may also choose to fly to the airport closest to the program you will be attending, and our staff will be happy to pick you up from the airport to bring you to our site. Specific information regarding this option will be provided in the welcome packet after you register.
How do we register?
Registration forms are available online and in our Family Programs Brochure. Up to two adults and three children can be included on each registration form. Please call (800) 222-4750, ext. 8006, to register.
