Our Programs
- Curriculum
- Instructors and Texts
- Fall and Spring Schedules
- Summer Institutes 2010
- History and Culture Studies
- Class Schedule
- Printable Version
Emphasis on Communication
Because all courses emphasize communication (speaking and listening comprehension), more than half the day is devoted to conversational activities. Students also spend considerable time writing and reading. Activities each day include class instruction, listening comprehension exercises, small group conversation, written and oral assignments, and one-on-one assistance between instructors and students.
A Communicative environment emphasizing accuracy
The language learning approach in all ISLC programs and institutes is focused on communication, ensuring that students spend the majority of their time in conversational activities. Experienced native speakers provide most of the instruction in conversation courses, while Americans fluent in the language provide grammatical instruction designed to promote accurate speech patterns. Besides courses in conversation and grammar, students also participate in courses such as Learning to Converse; Sharing Your Faith (for Level One or Basic students); Russian Bible and Apologetics (Level Two); or even, when desired, Vocabulary for Businessmen, among others.
Basic, Intermediate and Advanced level language courses are available.
Note: For a description of our Evening course offerings, please see our Evening Course page, which is also found on the main menu bar.
Curriculum
The curriculum used at ISLC has several goals:
To provide missionary candidates with a strong foundation in conversational Russian, Arabic or Chinese, emphasizing ministry skills for communicating the gospel and for discipleship situations.
- At ISLC we provide missionaries with an intensive learning environment where they develop strong conversational skills in the areas which are most vital for their work and life in their new culture.
For each student to attain a minimum proficiency of level 2 in reading and writing and level 2- in speaking and listening comprehension, regardless of a person’s language-learning aptitude.
- The Russian Language Institute’s year-round training program is a unique language-learning environment. The institute’s courses are designed to allow the student to acquire as much proficiency as possible in the shortest possible time. We endeavor to provide the student with a caring, encouraging, and challenging language-learning environment, where the most effective language-teaching methodology is utilized.
- Students are immersed in an all-Russian environment at an appropriate point in their studies, and when the course is combined with living in a Russian Cultural House, students make great strides toward fluency.
- It is our desire and hope to develop similar year-round institutes for Arabic and Chinese languages.
To equip students with knowledge of the historical and cultural forces which have shaped the peoples of these regions.
- The Institute of Strategic Languages & Cultures seeks to address the critical need for missionaries to acquire a keen understanding of these cultures’ worldviews. We therefore offer additional courses and seminars covering the history, cultural formation, religions and other essential aspects of the cultures of China, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union. Topics of study also include the critical issues and difficulties associated with church-planting and discipleship within such contexts.
Instructors and Texts
Instructors include Americans who are fluent in the language as well as native-speaking instructors. It is our goal that all instructors at ISLC hold to the highest standards of classroom instruction, teaching methodology, and personal integrity.
The primary texts include the following:
Russian: Golosa textbook series; Russian for Believers by Marc T. Canner, and the Russian Bible, Synod translation.
Arabic: Mastering Arabic, by Wightwick and Gaafar; Easy Arabic Grammar, by Wightwick and Gaafar.
Chinese: Texts for Chinese will be announced shortly.
A variety of culture and history-related titles are used for our culture seminars, including books covering religion, cultural history, cross-cultural adaptation, etc. The titles we recommend are helpful for equipping students with the skills and understanding to disciple new believers within the target culture.
Intensive Russian Program Description
Russian Language Ministries’ intensive program is designed with the specific needs of the individual in mind.
Each student is first tested to determine their language-learning aptitude (defined as a measurement of one’s natural ability to learn a language such as Russian). Students who possess above average or high language aptitude are placed in Track I, which is our Fall 32-week accelerated course, or if in the Spring, our 24-week accelerated course (the summer session is a bit more intensive).
Those who possess average aptitude are placed in Track II, which is a different 32-week course (Fall) or 24-week course (Spring), which is designed to meet their language-learning needs at a pace which enables them to acquire the material properly.
Those who possess below average aptitude are placed in Track III, our 40-week course, which begins both Fall and Spring. This course combines special tutoring sessions with in-class work.
The result of this system is effective and speedy language-learning regardless of one’s ability.
Note: Students may come and study for a single semester or summer, if desired.
Spring, 2010 Program
| Track | Date |
| Track I | January 18, 2010 - May 7, 2010 * |
| Track II | January 18, 2009 - May 7, 2010 * |
*Dates and tuition are subject to change
Fall, 2010 Program
| Track | Date |
| Track I | August 30, 2010 - December 17, 2010 * |
| Track II | August 30, 2010 - December 17, 2010* |
*Dates and tuition are subject to change
Tuition
| Track | Cost per semester |
| Track I | $2550.00 * |
| Track II | $2550.00 * |
Enrollment deposit $100.00.
Note: For those wishing to receive undergraduate or graduate credit during a Fall or Spring semester, tuition is adjusted slightly higher and is paid to Columbia International University.
The enrollment deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to tuition. Tuition is due the first day of class. Payment may be made by check or money order. Payment plans are available and may be arranged prior to enrollment. Please contact ISLC/Russian Language Institute for more information. 100% of the tuition is refundable less the enrollment deposit and the cost of materials until the second week of classes - 50% of the tuition is refundable until the end of the fourth week of classes. Tuition is non-refundable following the fourth week.
Summer Institutes 2010
ALI Dates: June 21 - July 30, 2010
Plans are underway to hold an Arabic Language Institute on the campus of Columbia International University (CIU). You may apply directly to ISLC by clicking here for an online application.
ALI Summer tuition: $1950.00 (6 weeks)
Room & Board in CIU dormitories: $1,640*
* Dates and prices are subject to change. Please contact us for up-to-date schedules and costs
(Other housing arrangements are available. Please call ISLC at (803)333-9119 for more information.)
Enrollment deposit $100.00. The enrollment deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to tuition.
Arab WorldView Seminar
In addition to the language curriculum all Arabic Language Institute students will participate in classes and seminars devoted to the cultural worldview of modern Arabs. Vital aspects of Arab culture, the influence of Islam and security issues will be explored through interesting seminars and special lectures. Students also have the opportunity during the summer to enroll in courses on a variety of topics related to Islam through the Zwemer Institute which is located on campus. Taken together, the ALI and Zwemer will combine to provide the student with excellent preparation for ministry in the Arab world.
RLI Dates: June 7 - July 30, 2010*
In the summer our Russian Language Institute is held on the campus of Columbia International University (CIU). To apply for summer classes only, go to www.ciu.edu/summerstudies and click on “General Info.” Up to six hours of graduate or eight hours of undergraduate credit can be earned by taking the entire eight-week program of classes during the summer.
RLI Summer Tuition: $2,250 (8 weeks)*
Room & Board in CIU dormitories: $1,640*
Russian Cultural House boarding (8 weeks):
- Double occupancy: $720*
- Single occupancy: $1,000*
- Married couple: $1,440*
* Dates and prices are subject to change. Please contact us for up-to-date schedules and pricing
(Other housing arrangements are available. Please call RLI/ISLC at (803) 333-9119 for more information.)
Enrollment deposit $100.00. The enrollment deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to tuition.
Summer RLI Abroad Program in Kiev, Ukraine: May 17 through June 10, 2010*
Our second annual summer Russian Language Institute Abroad will be held in Kiev, Ukraine at a location to be announced. This program is designed for the student who already has a degree of basic proficiency in Russian, and would like to take that proficiency to the next level. Two back-to-back intensive, 2-week, courses will be offered: Correct Grammar in Spoken Russian and Biblical Russian for Discipleship. Students who have studied at RLI during the previous cycle and those who are already living and working in Russian-speaking countries may apply. To enroll, please first contact our office at 803-333-9119. You may also use our online printable application. Please state “RLI Abroad Program” in the space titled “course enrolling for.”
Summer RLI Abroad Tuition: $650.00 for entire 4-week program (2 courses); $350.00 for either course separately
Room & Board: TBA
* Dates subject to change due to scheduling needs
History and Culture Studies
In addition to the language curriculum all students participate in classes and seminars devoted to the historical and cultural development of the modern Russian state. Vital aspects of Russian culture and history are explored through interesting seminars and special lectures. Students also prepare a regional field study for the specific region they are called to. Included is a survey of Russian history from the origins of Slavic peoples to the present age, various culture topics including orthodoxy, atheism, literature & music, and many others. Students are given opportunities to make acquaintances and explore contacts with Russian students, émigrés and businessmen living in the Columbia area.
Students also gather together once per week to learn Russian praise and worship songs and learn how to pray in Russian.
Intensive Program Class Schedules
Classes meet from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the summer (a slightly more intensive experience) and 8:30 a.m. till about 1:15 p.m. in the fall or spring, five days per week. A lunch break occurs before afternoon classes in the Summer, while students take lunch immediately following classes in the Fall and Spring. On Wednesdays students begin their day at 9:00 a.m. with three hours devoted to Russian history and culture seminars, discussions and learning to pray in Russian.
During the Russian Summer Abroad program classes will meet for 4 hours per day, from 8:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m.
A one-week break is provided midterm during the fall and spring semesters, while a one-month break occurs between Fall and Spring semesters. For those who begin in the Spring, a two-week Field study may be assigned between spring and Summer with a two-week break following.
Up to 12 hours of undergraduate credit is available for each 16 week semester course through Columbia International University. Up to 8 hours of undergraduate credit is available for the Summer Institute.