Christina

Who We Are at Bend Language Institute Christina Cappy, PhD | 5-minute read “Who typically takes your language classes at Bend Language Institute?” This is a question that I hear time and time again. Sometimes the person asking the question dives into more detail. “Why are they learning a language? Is it because they are about to travel somewhere, or do they want to learn a language for work? Are they older adults or kids?” People are curious and sometimes baffled by the concept of a language institute in Bend, Oregon. They didn’t think that one existed, let alone that one [...]

Learn About Our Story in Bend Magazine 3-minute read This winter we have been fortunate enough to work with Bend Magazine to share our story with the community. Check out this article to hear from the voices of our students, teachers, and founder. It was a pleasure working with everyone here! https://bendmagazine.com/multilingual-learning-hub-at-the-bend-language-institute/

Join Us for Winter Language Courses! The leaves have fallen, and winter is just around the corner – and so are more language learning opportunities! Starting in January, we will be expanding our range of courses in Spanish, Italian, French, German, English, and American Sign Language. And don’t forget, you can still sign up for the November sessions of our Thursday Spanish Conversation Group and Monday Spanish Book Club. Learn more about these opportunities below. Spanish Introductory Spanish I Accelerated Introductory Spanish I Spanish II (morning & evening sessions) Spanish III Spanish III Conversation Spanish IV Spanish Thursday Conversation Group Spanish Book [...]

Join us for Multilingual Mondays at Boneyard Pub this Winter It has turned chilly, so we are moving indoors to the Boneyard Pub on Division Street for Multilingual Mondays!  And the next one is just around the corner on Monday, November 6th from 5:30-7:30pm. We host Multilingual Mondays on the first Monday of every month to give folks the opportunity to practice a range of languages – Spanish, Italian, Mandarin and ASL are some of the most common languages we get to use at these events, but other groups come as well. Often we have 15-25 people attend! This is a free community event for [...]

Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Celebration Come celebrate the end of the Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month with us at Bend Language Institute! We will have a casual gathering to talk and practice Spanish, meet new people, eat, drink, and connect. This is a free, community event and everyone is welcome to attend. Join us on Friday, October 13th from 4:30 to 6:30pm at Bend Language Institute.

Fall is just around the corner and we are offering a wide array of courses to meet our community's needs. Sign up today! Fall Classes Starting in September Italian: Italian Travel Essentials, Accelerated Introductory Italian I, Italian II, Italian III, Italian IV, Italian Film Critics, Advanced Italian French:  Introductory French I, French II Conversation, French III Conversation, French IV and Up Spanish: Accelerated Introductory Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, Spanish Game Nights (NEW!), Spanish Book Club (NEW!) German: Introductory German I, Second Year German I (COCC Credit Option Available) Japanese: Japanese II Conversation ESOL: Everyday English for Beginners, English Conversation for Intermediate Speakers American Sign Language: Baby ASL With Deschutes Public [...]

Join Us for Summer Language Courses We have a range of language courses and learning opportunities starting in July. Take your next step in language learning and join us for a summer of conversation and fun! Courses and Workshops French: French Travel Essentials Workshop, French II Conversation, French IV and Up Italian: Italian Travel Essentials, Italian II, Italian III, Advanced Italian Spanish: Introductory Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III Conversation, Spanish IV Conversation, Thursday Spanish Conversation Group (NEW!) Japanese: Introductory Japanese I Youth August Summer Camps Spanish: Spanish for Kids (ages 5-7), Spanish for Kids (ages 8-10), Spanish for Youth (ages 11-13) Not sure what is the best class for [...]

Join us for a fun language resource giveaway! Our Central Oregon community has been incredibly generous in supporting Bend Language Institute the past few years. Every month someone offers to donate books and other language learning materials, which have been much appreciated by our teachers and students. We have a range of materials for beginner language learners and fluent speakers - and now we are overflowing with supplies! We would love to share these resources with others by hosting an Open House Language Resources Giveaway April 7th from 4:30-6pm. Please stop by the Institute to share some tasty snacks, beverages, and casual conversation [...]

Winter Course Registration Open Join us for some winter fun language learning! We are offering courses in Spanish, French, Italian, German, American Sign Language and Japanese starting mid-January. You can learn some basics in our introductory courses or master your written and conversational skills in our more advanced groups. Aren't sure which class is the best for you? Please reach out to us at 541-728-3022 or bendlanguageinstitute@gmail.com and we'll help get you started. American Sign Language: Introductory ASL I, ASL II French: French Travel Essentials, French II Conversation, French III Conversation, Advanced French German: German II (COCC credit option) Italian: Italian [...]

Am I Too Old to Learn a Language? By Christina Cappy, PhD | 5-minute read Introduction “Am I too old to learn a language?” This is a question that I have heard time and time again. Popular sayings such as “children’s brains are like sponges” are used as justifications that there is a certain time of life to learn another language, and once past that point learning a language is a lost cause. Older adults tell me that they are interested in learning new skills and travel, but they believe that acquiring a new language is not in the cards for [...]