Students achieve language proficiency in 7 weeks

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Summer Language Institute (SLI) is immersing students in Chinese and Russian language and cultural experiences. Upon successful completion of the seven-week summer session, participants earn eight academic credit hours and fulfill the 1001-1002 foreign language requirement for most bachelor's degrees at UNG.  This year's session is currently underway and runs until July 24.

"When you hear seven weeks, it's a lot. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, but if you trust the process and your instructors, you will do fine," Jordan Todden, program coordinator for SLI, said. 

SLI opens doors to global opportunities because many of its previous participants have been awarded prestigious capstones and Boren, Fulbright and Gilman scholarships.

"The majority of them started in SLI, where they learned the language, fell in love with it and took advantage of these other opportunities," Todden said.

Todden added that students aren't sitting in a classroom the entire time. Instead, they have excursions, tutoring sessions, language labs, and cultural activities.

"Other than intensive, proficiency-based language learning, students in the Chinese SLI are also able to demonstrate Chinese culture through frequent exposure to culturally authentic contexts. Chinese SLI students also received language immersion and culturally immersive experiences to converse with native speakers," Yandan Wang, senior lecturer of Chinese, said.

One of the supports to help increase proficiency is the availability of a tutor for students.

Army 2nd Lt. Vincent Furtado, Chinese program tutor, is a 2026 graduate from Anaheim, California, who earned a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals. 

"Being a tutor allows me to be more hands-on when working with students, as we hold 1-on-1 tutoring sessions tailored to students' needs," Furtado said. "I am also able to share strategies that have made me successful, hoping they can use similar strategies to learn the language. Being with the students and watching their proficiency grow daily is very rewarding. It gives me motivation to come to the classroom ready to help these students spread their wings and embrace second language acquisition."

When he's not tutoring, Furtado encourages students like Kam Montgomery with cultural activities including kongzhu,Chinese yo-yo.

Wang has been with the Chinese SLI for nine years.

"I'm very excited every summer to teach SLI because I feel so fulfilled seeing the students grow in confidence in the program," Wang said. "They use the language in their daily life, meet their language proficiency goal and can speak to native speakers confidently.”

Over the years, Wang's students shared they are continuing hone their language skills and want to pursue master’s degrees.

"I'm so glad to hear my students' success stories," she said. "Learning the language is a turning point in their life."

This year, Anna Drobot is leading students to proficiency in Russian by also providing an immersive learning experience.

"They study with a native-speaking instructor every day and have a native-speaking tutor, giving them the opportunity to practice Russian not only in the classroom but also through everyday conversations, games and other activities outside of class," Drobot said. "In addition to language instruction, students explore Russian culture through films, music and discussions about cultural differences. They have a lot of fun while learning something new every day, building their confidence and developing a deeper understanding of the language and culture."

Drobot said the combination of intensive language practice and cultural immersion helps students develop real-world communication skills and create meaningful connections with the Russian language and culture.

Previously UNG has offered SLI in Arabic, Japanese and Korean.