The CSU Consortium for the Strategic Language Initiative (SLI) Program

Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Russian Languages are of Significant National and Global Importance!

The Southern Consortium of California State Universities is offering a unique opportunity to develop professional language skills that are currently much in demand for professional careers.

Students who are accepted into this highly competitive program will benefit from a unique language development experience that includes:

• Summer 2009 Language Immersion Study
• Academic Year (09-10) Individualized Language Study
• Summer 2010 Study Abroad Immersion Experience
  

SLI Language Programs are proficiency-based and integrate target language acquisition with study majors. Selected participants must commit to fully apply themselves to the goals of the program and to follow it to completion. Heritage speakers and language learners at intermediate levels are eligible to apply.  Funds are available for scholarships.

 

Interested?
Please select the language of your choice and contact the faculty member in charge for more information.

ARABIC – CSU San Bernardino  - Dr. Dany Doueiri
ddoueiri@csusb.edu  Phone: (909)537-5814

KOREAN – CSU Los Angeles – Dr. Sachiko Matsunaga
smatsun@calstatela.edu   Phone: (323) 343-4230

CHINESE/MANDARIN – CSU Long Beach – Dr. Tim Xie
txie@csulb.edu  Phone: (562) 985-5278

PERSIAN – CSU Fullerton – Dr. Ghazzal Dabiri
  gdabiri@fullerton.edu  Phone: (714)278-7318

RUSSIAN – CSU Northridge – Prof. Dina Mokhnatkina
dina.mokhnatkin@csun.edu  Phone:  (818) 677-3593

SLI CONSORTIUM DIRECTOR:  Dr. KimOanh Nguyen-Lam
(562) 985-5906 - kclam@csulb.edu

 

The SLI Language Program Model

The SLI Language Program Model includes three language development phases for each cohort of participants to move from low or mid-intermediate proficiency level to high intermediate or low-advanced level: 

Summer Language Immersion:

a 6-week residential or extended day program that integrates language and culture courses of study.  The program is open to students from any CSU campus or local community college who meet our admission criteria.  Students receive in-class language instruction in the mornings and participate in cultural activities in the target language in the afternoons.  The program includes language instruction, group activities, projects, online and individualized learning, guest lectures and field trips. Students also have access to a body of specialized language materials including target language websites, video/DVD documentaries, newspapers, magazines and other relevant and contemporary reading materials

Academic Year Individualized Language Study:

During the 10-month academic year, SLI participants continue to engage in language development activities, including face-to-face, mentoring, tutorial, and online coursework.  All learning activities are designed to further advance language proficiency and to connect each student’s language learning with the content in his or her academic discipline via authentic written material and oral interaction. Faculty members from the student’s discipline, with native language skills may serve as mentors during the academic year.  On-line language materials, organized and matched to the student’s abilities and academic needs, provide the majority of the reading and writing assignments. In addition to meetings with the mentor, periodic face-to-face intensive colloquia ensure oral proficiency development. Consistent tracking of student progress and feedback is provided via weekly and monthly activity logs and reports.

Summer Study Abroad Immersion:

SLI students who reach at least mid-intermediate level of the target language participate in a study abroad program designed to further advance students’ language proficiency and broaden their cross-cultural experience.   Students are obliged to use the target language at all times. SLI study abroad students design an independent field study project that will provide them with an in-depth experience in the host country and its culture, beyond the experience at the university and on excursions.  The project should relate to students’ field of study and future professional goals. Upon return, each student will make a formal presentation of the portfolio or report in the target language.