<p>I'm a senior in high school looking for a language immersion program for this summer, in French or Russian. What are the best (maybe even competitive?) programs out there targeted at high school/college aged students?</p>
<p>Preferably a program here in the U.S. to keep down costs. Maybe 2-5 weeks.</p>
<p>I’ve seen names out there like Concordia and Middlebury.</p>
<p>MMLA, easy</p>
<p>I am interested in joining a spanish immersion program this summer and have heard about ones at Concordia and Middlebury/Monterey. Has anyone participated in either of these programs and have any positive/negative experiences to share? Thanks.</p>
<p>I went to the Concordia French Village (a long time ago), and my daughter has attended every summer for the last 9 years. I love the place, and am an enthusiastic advocate. I can’t compare them to any other program, but I can tell you what I know.</p>
<p>They have programs for 1, 2 or 4 weeks in 14 languages ( plus English). The 1-week programs are mostly for young kids new to camp. Kids from 8-18 attend the 2-week camps, and high schoolers attend the 4-week camps. Depending on the language, the 4-week session can earn you a year of high school or college credit.</p>
<p>Classes are taught by (a) native speakers of the target language and (b) native English speakers who are experienced teachers in the target language. </p>
<p>Accommodations range from very rustic to quite nice, and several languages have permanent sites constructed to be as culturally authentic as possible. The food is culturally authentic as well, and they are good about accommodating restrictive diets (kosher, vegetarian, etc.).</p>
<p>The villages also make a big effort to represent many countries for each language. So for example, the French Village has had counselors from France (natch!) as well as from Switzerland, New Caledonia, Uganda, Cameroon, etc. The food and activities are also inclusive of many cultures (mmm . . . mousse-au-chocolat . . . poutine . . . . couscous . . .) </p>
<p>The villages, although remote, are easy to get to. Concordia offers supervised transportation from the Minneapolis airport, and they run busses from other locations as well. </p>
<p>As I said, I’m a HUGE fan. But I’d be less than honest if I didn’t mention a few “cons” of the program. IMO, the biggest one is that although you can earn a year’s worth of credit, you don’t necessarily learn what you would learn in a year of class. So, if you are hoping to advance a year in 4 weeks, you should be prepared to shore up some gaps in the curriculum on your own.</p>
<p>Let me know if you want more information, or if you have other questions.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your input! Concordia sounds like such a great program.</p>
<p>@Matt
Really? I enjoyed MMLA, but I wouldn’t say it’s the best one out there. Of course, I have nothing to compare it to, but the amount of English spoken at this “target language only” camp was enormous.</p>
<p>Honestly, if you can, do a homestay program. I did MMLA with Matt and I’ve stayed with a French family in France. They’re usually comparable in price* and you’ll learn 2342x more when you’re living in the target language and you’ll get to do cooler things, explore new places and whatnot.</p>
<p>*price comparison:
MMLA: $5750/4 weeks
Concordia: $3895/4 weeks
EIL France: $6,200/4 weeks (airfare included, travel around France, stay with host family for part of it)
Teenagers Abroad - France: $2,836/4 weeks (stay with host family, airfare not incl., classes)</p>
<p>You get the idea…I just think going abroad is sooo worth it. Then again, if you can’t do it now, hopefully you’ll get the opportunity in college.</p>
<p>I really enjoyed MMLA its fun and you learn a lot just by experience. My spanish skills improved so much i went from barely being able to have conversations to being able to talk to native speaking teachers. One of my friends from MMLA went to Concordia also and said she preferred MMLA</p>
<p>MMLA is awesome! My friend said he loved and he learned alot there.</p>
<p>I agree with Got2BeGreen, hands down. I was at Concordia’s German Program last Summer, and it was the best time of my life, no joke. From what I’ve seen of the French Village, its very nice, with a little Eiffel Tower. The campers are very energetic. If you go, make sure you go to Bemidji, though. It is the best facility. I’ve heard good stuff about the Russian Camp, too. As you are a senior, I’d recommend going to the French camp, because they have an intensive four week program through which you can earn college credit. There is high school credit, but that would be a bit useless if you’ve graduated. You could go as a repeat 2 week camper. That would be worth. Don’t worry about being to old. I was the youngest in my group of high school credit students. (going into 8th grade), but age does not matter. You will fit in just fine for High School Credit. For 2 Week Sessions, they sort you by age and gender into your houses, so that should be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses.</p>
<p>What about the Putney Student Travel programs? How good are those for language immersion/fluency?</p>
<p>And what are the best language homestay programs for Spanish, French, Russian?</p>
<p>So I’m pretty set on finding one for Spain this summer. best homestay programs, anyone?</p>
<p>ayúdenme plz</p>
<p>@CranberryOrange - Did you do your homestay in Paris, Nice or other place? D is somewhat naive and has a year of French. Would you recommend one vs other? </p>
<p>Anyone else: I am also interested in the answer to keellota’s question about Spain homestay experiences.</p>
<p>Oh yeah. I have four years of high school Spanish, if that helps anyone in suggesting a program.</p>
<p>And also, I realize I started this thread looking for Russian or French programs, but I’ve opted for a Spanish program for this summer. I’ll probably do the others at some point though.</p>
<p>bump 10char</p>
<p>@mom4art
I stayed in Carcassonne on a travel program with Global Works. I suggest that your daughter does not stay in Paris or even Nice if she really wants to learn French just because there will be so much English spoken in those places.</p>