Concordia Language Villages

Concordia Language Villages roots were established in 1960. This was the year when Dr. Gerhard Haukebo, a Concordia College faculty member, suggested the college initiate an experimental program using immersion techniques to teach language. The intent of the program was to teach young people about other languages and cultures, while giving Concordia students the opportunity to gain practical teaching experience. The college sponsored the project the following year. Concordia Language Villages culturally-authentic, year-round sites for Finnish, French, German, Norwegian and Spanish are on Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, Minn. The Bemidji site also has a year-round administrative office. Village weekends, adult and family programs, teacher seminars and youth summer programs also take place at Turtle River Lake. Other sites leased by Concordia Language Villages, which include sites for French, German and Spanish, are at lakeside camps and resorts located throughout Minnesota and at one site near Savannah, Ga. These locations are used only for Summer Youth Villages. The organization also offers English programs throughout China and in Leysin, Switzerland, as well as abroad programs in France, Germany, Japan and Spain.