Program provides language immersion

The University of North Georgia (UNG) hosted Summer Language Institutes (SLI) in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian. The seven-week summer sessions allows students to earn eight credit hours in an accelerated environment, fulfilling the 1001 and 1002 foreign language requirements for most UNG bachelor's degrees. It also provides opportunities for students from other institutions through Project Global Officer (Project GO).

This summer marked the 15th year of SLI at UNG.

With Kihoon Kim, lecturer in Japanese, students like Cody Robinson, from Ball Ground, Georgia, learned more than just the language. The class experienced Japanese culture through food, games and films.

Robinson, a U.S. Army veteran and a junior pursuing a degree in computer science, chose the Japanese component after being stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

"I picked up a bit of the language and mannerisms while there, and when I decided to learn a second language, I picked one where I already had a foot in the door," he said, adding that his ambition is to travel internationally and hopefully work in Japan.

Robinson's classmate Tyler Cruise enrolled through Project GO on an Air Force scholarship through the University of Alabama. He anticipates being in foreign affairs with the Air Force and said "knowing a language will help get me there."

"My parents were stationed in Japan when I was born. I want to return and see what it's like to live there," Cruise said.

He enjoyed learning the language and cultural aspects including art, festivals, education, and games. The class dedicates Saturdays to films and games including Shogi (Japanese chess), Daruma san ga koronda (Red Light, Green Light), and Go (a board game).

Students in the Chinese SLI also had a diversity of experiences in the program.

"Other than intensive, proficiency-based activities, students in the Chinese SLI are also able to demonstrate Chinese culture through frequent exposure to culturally authentic contexts," Yandan Wang, now in her sixth year teaching Chinese, said. "Chinese SLI students also received language immersion and culturally immersive experiences to converse with native speakers."

In addition to Japanese and Chinese language institutes, Korean with Jinny Kim and Russian with Alyona Yazykova were also offered.

To be eligible to apply for the program, a student must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher, be a student in good academic standing that has been accepted to or enrolled at UNG, including new freshmen, dual and joint enrolled students from all UNG campuses, non-traditional students, post-graduate students, transfer students, and students enrolled elsewhere but seeking temporary admission to UNG.