MISSION
"The mission of Concordia Language Villages is to prepare young
people for responsible citizenship in our global community."
A responsible world citizen is one who:
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understands and appreciates cultural diversity.
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communicates with confidence and cultural sensitivity in more than one language.
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responds creatively and critically to issues which transcend national boundaries.
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expresses empathy for neighbors in the global village.
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promotes a world view of peace, justice and sustainability for all.
Concordia Language Villages reflects the mission of Concordia
College, which is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into
society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian
life. The college's mission is inclusive in composition, global in scope
and reconciling in intention.
Our program incorporates the college's mission in ways appropriate to its purpose and constituency. The curriculum of Concordia Language Villages is based on the affirmation of diversity, unity, peace, stewardship and justice. These key values for responsible global citizenship are rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of the college. The Concordia Language Villages program builds communities (called Villages) where these values are the norm for everyday life in a variety of cultural contexts. Ultimately, the program promotes individual responsibility for the care of the world and its people.
Concordia Language Villages is intentional in reaching out to all people without restriction of creed, class or nationality. The leadership, counseling staff and young people enrolled in the programs reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the world. A global environment is created in each village, challenging participants to regard differences as opportunities for enrichment, not reasons for alienation.
Because language education alone does not lead to the formation of world citizens, we teach language and culture in global contexts. Geography, history, political science and international relations are drawn on, creating learning situations that challenge participants to use language as a tool for understanding the complexities of the world around them.
Experience-based learning is emphasized in every aspect of the
curriculum, modeling the college's holistic approach to education. The
educational objectives of Concordia Language Villages are reinforced
through the living, learning, social and recreational dimensions of
village life.
Concordia Language Villages embodies the internal discipline implied in the college's mission statement. Global citizenship requires both knowledge and skill. By emphasizing experiential and cooperative learning Concordia Language Villages provides an ideal setting for villagers to internalize and act upon global issues. The village experience encourages villagers to insert these skills into the rest of their lives.
Concordia Language Villages reflects the college's optimism about the human enterprise. It builds on the richness of the past and embodies a vision of a world of peace. It is a bold vision, one that sends young people into society in hope-filled response to the world and its people.