GVSU offers Workplace Language Instruction

Grand Valley’s Continuing Education is offering instruction in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, Japanese and German through its Workplace Language School this fall in downtown Grand Rapids. The fall 2007 sessions include:

• Beginning Mandarin Chinese , runs Fridays from Sept. 14-Oct. 19, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. This six-week workshop is designed for beginners who want to develop basic oral skills. Basic grammar will be introduced to develop communicative competence. The course will familiarize learners with useful vocabulary and enable them to interact with others and engage in everyday conversation. Chinese culture will be integrated into the course.  The instructor is a native speaker who teaches Chinese at GVSU. Cost is $ 210, which includes the text and CD.

• Beginning German in the Workplace , runs Wednesdays from Sept. 26-Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. This course is designed for people who have had little or no exposure to German. Grammar will be a constant topic of discussion; however, far more important is acquiring the ability to use the language in proper contexts.  This will require a look at many cultural aspects of German. Cost is $ 195, which includes the text and CD.

• Beginning French , runs Tuesdays from Oct. 9-Nov. 13, 1-3 p.m. This course is designed to develop basic oral skills in French in order to enable students to communicate with French-speaking individuals. Grammar will be studied and employed as a tool to developing communication skills, but classroom time will be devoted as much as possible to practicing the language in situations that reflect student needs. Cost is $199.00 which includes the text and CD.

• Beginning Spanish in the Workplace , runs Fridays from Oct. 12-Nov. 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m. A second session runs Thursdays from Oct. 11-Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m. Cost is $189, which includes the text and CD. 

• Beginning Japanese , runs Saturdays from October 13-November 17, 9-11 a.m.  This class will primarily develop beginning communication skills in Japanese, stressing simple vocabulary for everyday situations.  Cost is $215.00, which includes a text and CD.

To see a syllabus for any of the classes, e-mail Diane Phelps at [email protected] register for these workshops, call 616-331-7180 or visit www.gvsu.edu/learn .