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Best Language Classes In Minnesota

You may be planning to travel internationally for work or pleasure. You may wish simply to connect with your roots. Whatever your reasons, you may enjoy the many benefits of learning a second language. The Minnesota Department of Education says you will improve your cognitive development and reading skills, and you will become a better problem solver. Here are five ways to learn a language in Minnesota. See the previously published article, Best Language Classes In Minnesota, to get additional ideas to meet your needs.

Concordia Language Villages
901 8th St. S.
Moorhead, MN 56562
(800) 222-4750
www.concordialanguagevillages.org

It's not just kids who can rapidly absorb a new language at a Concordia Language Village on Turtle River Lake near Bemidji, Minnesota—adults can, too! Reserve a seven-day week or a four-day weekend to learn Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish or Swedish. Whole families can reserve a Family Summer Week at various Language Villages located throughout Minnesota. This is especially valuable when planning a trip abroad or when considering relocation to another country. Concordia has been perfecting language immersion principles for more than 50 years. Immersion in Chinese and Italian is also available at Concordia.

Related: Best Bilingual Extracurricular Activities For Kids In Minnesota

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(credit: Thinkstock)

TandemPlus
University of Minnesota
135A Jones Hall
27 Pleasant St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 626-6050
www.languagecenter.cla.umn.edu

Reinforce your classroom learning via face-to-face exchanges with a person whose native language is the one you are learning. The richness of experience is priceless as you learn from one-another and help another person to learn your language. Expect to meet for about two hours a week with a native language partner. Anyone is welcome to enroll in this unique opportunity, although the University of Minnesota cautions registrants that currently enrolled University students get schedule priority. Register for Fall Tandems by October.

University Language Center
4445 W. 77th St., Suite 110
Minneapolis, MN 55435
(952) 224-5600
www.ulanguage.com

A crowded work and travel schedule may require a more flexible and individualized language instruction. The Language Center contracts with highly qualified instructors to deliver personalized and content-specific instruction. The Center even allows you to register for private instruction with a co-worker, spouse or friend at the same rates. Learn Spanish, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Russian or English in single lessons at $65 per hour multiple lessons for up to $2,295 for 50 hours. Special rates may apply to other less commonly taught languages.

American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 871-4907
www.asimn.org

Chelsea Bowen conducts an intensive and fast-paced daytime class to jump-start your Swedish skills in four competencies of reading, writing, listening and speaking. As a plus, every course builds a familiarity of Swedish culture. This course provides good fundamentals in Swedish and is a good springboard to the intermediate language class that follows in the fall of the year.

Related: Spotlight On: American Swedish Institute

Sons of Norway
1455 Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 827-3611
www.sofn.com

Discover the Norwegian alphabet, how to count and everyday phrases in just five minutes a month. Sons of Norway offers 37 online courses in basic Norwegian open to anyone. Each lesson covers basic need-to-know words and phrases for every day living. One lesson provides the key to genealogical terms. While these lessons are very basic and only in writing, members can have access to sound assisted learning.

Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

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