Students interested in Latvian language and culture take intensive language courses

The intensive language courses offer foreign exchange students a chance to get acquainted with the country they will be studying in and its culture. The organizers believe that learning the language will help students understand and get to know the country they will reside in for the next six to twelve months. Priority for participation in the courses is given to Erasmus+ students from cooperating universities but students from other exchange programs may apply as well. Until now, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the University of Latvia has organized the intensive language courses in August and February for nearly ten years. The tradition was brought back after a gap year due to high demand for the courses. The professors at the University of Latvia who work with the exchange students also emphasize the foreign students’ high motivation to learn the Latvian language. The courses take place over a period of three intensive weeks – every day four academic hours are dedicated to the study of spoken and written language as well as the fundamentals of grammar. This is followed by a language laboratory (twice a week) where the students can test their newly acquired knowledge and skills in practice. After three weeks of studies, the students have the skills to talk about themselves in Latvian – where they are from, what they study etc., and can independently shop at a store, communicate with the vendor and ask someone what transportation they should take to reach a specific destination. After the completion of the course the students have the possibility to pursue their studies of a B1 level in Latvian for the duration of the semester. The students are delighted to not only have the possibility to learn Latvian but to meet new friends before the semester. The groups of students that form over the language courses tend to stay in touch throughout their studies in Riga. Sometimes, they have already explored Riga or done some travelling around Latvia before the academic year has started. The motivation of these students is apparent as they continue to pursue their studies of the Latvian language during the semester, suggesting that they are keen on learning the language and communicating with Latvians in Latvian. 11 students attended the courses this year, six of whom were German; two were from Slovakia, two from the Netherlands and one student from Italy. The courses were held for 3 weeks and ended on the 28^th of August. The Department of Foreign Affairs of the University of Latvia points out that these courses are among the activities dedicated to internationalization and will organize the courses for students of the University in the future.