LTC Description:
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Language Training Center (LTC) hosts three 16-day (150-hour) residential intensive language courses in French, Modern Standard Arabic, and Russian. The schedule includes 15 ten-hour instructional days with one day off near the middle of the course for personal time. The objectives of the intensive language courses are:
- increase language proficiency by a “+” Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) rating in at least one modality, and
- assist students in developing language learning strategies to improve overall language proficiency.
During each intensive course, students will take a pre- and post-test as well as the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT). The DLPT occurs during the last two days of the course.
The CSULB LTC program also offers four 16-week hybrid language mentor courses in Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish, French, and Russian. Faculty and students coordinate one hour of synchronous instruction using a web-conferencing interface such as Zoom or Skype. Students are encouraged to spend at least one addition hour on homework or preparing for the one-hour lesson. Individual instruction design is agreed upon by the student and instructor. Course assessments utilize CL-150, Online Diagnostic Assessment (ODA), and informal evaluations by the instructor. Instruction is free to the student. The objectives of the hybrid courses are:
- Prepare students for an intensive course or other major language training events.
- Sustain individual language proficiency.
- Discover resources and learning strategies that address individual needs within the language.
Service members must be approved by their unit commander and on military orders for training. Because of training and evening study, all military orders must allow local lodging. Course enrollment requires a copy of the most recent DLPT in the target language and completion of a self-assessment. Command Language Program Managers must ensure CSULB LTC students are able to take the DLPT or OPI in conjunction with the course. Each service member must be committed to 10-hour days and evening study.
University Location:
Long Beach, CaliforniaLanguages Available:
Arabic, French, Russian
Training Delivery Method:
Classroom, Online
Pedagogical Approach:
CSULB’s teaching methodologies are based on a communicative approach to language production, including role playing, narratives, and interactional activities. Authentic cultural media and realia provide the basic structure of the curriculum which addresses topics similar to the Defense Language Program of instruction. CSULB emphasizes mastery of high-frequency vocabulary and presents grammar in context. Small group learning is important to the multi-level proficiency dynamics of the residential intensive courses.
Online learning is tailored to the students’ needs and helps them prepare for a major language education event such as an immersive or intensive course. CSULB utilizes CL-150 and GLOSS modules as well as instructor resources for asynchronous learning.
Institution Website:
http://www.cla.csulb.edu/programs/ltc/
Testimonials:
“After not using (language) for 3 years, I came back to a 2/2 level.”
“Best (language) instructor I have had in my 3 years of studying (language).”
“Also impressive for the assistant to come to the course every day during part of his summer. He was a tremendous asset for learning the target language.”
“I’ve grown in contextual understanding of the language. I now can take from the rest of a passage and determine the meaning of words that I didn’t know prior to reading/listening to that particular passage.”
“The roundtable discussions and movies we watched helped to show the cultural nuances of the language.”
“I think I surpassed here even the level I had when I left (country name).”
“The course should remain a summer intensive, immersive experience. The format is why I chose this course, which was excellent.”
“Getting time to step away from daily life in order to focus on (language) was essential to my success as well.”
“Another great course. With (professors name) help, I was able to score a 3/3 for the first time.”
“This course was exactly what I needed… This class raised my last DLPT (5 years ago) from 1 to a 2. I think I could have easily gotten a 2+ with a few more days.”
“Compared to where I was when it started, it was a big improvement. I believe my language is back to where I was when I graduated from DLI, or close to it.”
“(Professor’s name) is a great instructor – he knows what the students need and he is flexible enough to adapt to our learning needs.”