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Boost your Persian or Russian language skills in our exciting and engaging immersive camps! Whether you are a heritage learner looking to improve your literacy and foster a deeper connection with your cultural roots or a second language learner looking to improve your proficiency, this is a camp for you! Through fun and collaborative projects, you will enhance your speaking abilities, improve your literacy, and learn to use the language in both formal and informal situations.

Our Russian and Persian camps are designed for students aged 13-17 who have at least basic conversation skills in Russian or Persian and knowledge of the Cyrillic or Persian alphabet.

By attending the program, students may choose to apply for university credits (Persian 101 or Russian 100A).

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

Making cherished memories!

I love the teachers, and their constant willingness to help us to succeed in this program. I really enjoyed being a part of this program, and I will cherish the memories I made, and the connections that will remain with me forever.

Cultural aspects

I enjoyed the cultural aspects of this class, as we got to make Persian food, listen to Persian music, and even learn a dance to show the program.

Language immersion

The experience is more than just the language. You're not learning just Russian and Chinese or whatever language you choose - you're learning what it's like to be Russian and what it's like to be Chinese or what it's like to be Persian.

New friends and a new language

Great program, very interactive, small class size. Would definitely recommend it to a friend! Teachers are great and it is very fun to hang out with new friends while learning a new language.

Culturally focused

I would describe the Russian program as very hands on, very culturally focused, and the teachers are very experienced. I would say that if you want to learn the Russian language, I don't think that there are really any other programs that are greater than this one.

Amazing experience!

I had a great time, this was an amazing experience. It was wonderful to learn from people who grew up speaking the language, and I learned so much, and I think it will probably help me a lot in the future!

More than just vocabulary

In my other classes at school, we spent so much time just on vocabulary that we never really spoke the language or practiced using full sentences or conversations. I think this camp was really different in that even when we only knew a few words, we were still practicing talking to each other and using them in different ways to really get that speaking experience and real world conversations.

WHY CHOOSE DIAGORA LANGUAGE CAMPS?

FUN AND ENGAGING IMMERSION CLASSES

Forget the grammar drills and endless vocabulary lists that do not prepare you to actually speak the language! Our camps are taught by experienced native speakers who prepare our campers to use language meaningfully in real-world contexts and not just within the classroom walls!

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CULTURALLY RICH EXPERIENCES

We believe that one cannot learn the language without understanding the culture behind it! It is not simply what one says, but how and why one says it too! Our camps integrate language, culture, and content, helping our campers develop necessary intercultural skills.
We also host weekly dance, music, and art classes with visiting instructors, bringing the target culture into our classrooms!

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

In all our camps, students learn the language by engaging in real-world projects where they work together on their own creations. This type of learning encourages collaboration and project management and fosters deeper comprehension and fluency development. Projects include producing presentations, designing digital books, planning and hosting celebrations, and more.

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COMMUNITY

We work hard to make sure our campers feel like a part of one big family, working and growing together on their journey towards multiliteracy and multiculturality. Our location on SDSU campus helps our students feel as part of a larger university community, offering them insightful glimpses into what it means to work and study on a college campus.

HIGH QUALITY COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE

Our camps offer high quality instruction through curricula recognized by higher ed institutions. All our campers qualify to apply for optional undergraduate college credit

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Information sessions for parents/guardians and students

Time: 5:30-6:00 pm
Friday, January 31, 2025
Friday, February 28, 2025
Friday, March 28, 2025
Register for an information session HERE

More Information

  • Date: June 9 to 27, 2025, Monday through Friday
  • Time: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
  • Location: San Diego State University campus
  • Tuition: $1190 per student
  • Ages 13 to 17 years old
  • Open to students with at least basic conversation skills in Russian or Persian and knowledge of the Cyrillic or
  • Persian alphabet
  • Highly motivated and committed

Step 1: Submit Application and Initial Deposit

Registration for the program will open on January 15, 2025. To secure your spot, please complete the application form and submit it along with an initial deposit of $600. As part of the application process, you will need to include a brief essay (150-200 words) explaining why you wish to attend the program. In the essay, list any learning or speaking experience you had with Russian or Persian, for example with whom you speak it and how often, what classes you took and with what results, what exposure you had to the language and culture.

Step 2: Confirmation and Final Payment

You will be notified about the status of your application by April 20. Upon acceptance, you will have until April 25 to make the final payment of $590. We highly encourage you to review our refund policy before proceeding with your registration.

Click here to apply!

If we cancel the camps before April 20 for reasons beyond our control, you will receive a full refund.

Cancellations prior to April 25: refund of your initial registration payment minus the $150 processing fee.

Cancellations between April 25 and May 4: if a cancellation can be filled by a participant on the waitlist, you will receive a refund check minus $300 processing fee. If no substitute is found, we only will refund $600.

All cancellation after May 5: no refunds will be provided.

All canceling requests must be submitted by email: larc-diagora@sdsu.edu

June 9 to 27, 2025, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

TimeActivity
9:00 - 9:50 amSession 1
9:50 - 10:00 amBreak
10:00 - 10:50 amSession 2
10:50 - 11:00 amBreak
11:00 - 11:50 amSession 3
11:50 am - 12:40 pmLunch Break (25 minutes) & Games (25 minutes)
12:40 - 1:30 pmSession 4
1:30 - 1:40 pmBreak
1:40 - 2:30 pmCultural activities

Our three-week immersive camps take students on an exciting, inspiring, and at times quirky exploration of traditional wisdoms and folk remedies. Following “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” curriculum, our campers delve deep into the age-old practices as they learn how people from different cultures keep themselves physically and mentally healthy. They develop a deeper understanding of what it means to lead a balanced life, and what role social networks, physical activity, relaxation, and good nutrition play in making us more resilient, stronger, and ultimately happier.

Through a variety of activities designed to educate and inspire, students explore the dynamics of family life, create effective daily and weekly routines, and dive into their favorite sports, understanding the benefits of physical activity. The camp also delves into health and diet, providing insights into healthy and unhealthy food choices, common ailments, first aid terms, and practical advice. Seasonal home remedies and natural remedies from common household ingredients are explored, alongside discussions about popular health beliefs and the significance of traditional remedies. To cap off this enriching experience, students complete and present their projects, contributing to a digital book that showcases their creativity and hard work, leaving a lasting impact on their camp journey.

Formal instruction is not required; however, students need to have basic conversational skills and knowledge of the alphabet.
You will be notified about the status of your application by April 20.
No. The program does not provide lunches. Students can bring food or money to purchase food.
No. Only students who can attend the entire program will be admitted.
All students will be provided with a clear assessment of their progress from the start to the end of the program. Self-assessment and peer assessment are also an integral part of the program.
No, however only an administrative fee and no tuition will have to be paid to San Diego State University's Global Campus.
No, this is a language immersion camp focused on enhancing your language skills and providing a cultural experience. While you will gain valuable language proficiency and knowledge, it does not offer high school course credit.

For additional inquiries, please contact Shahnaz Ahmadeian and Nada Novakovic - nnovakovic@sdsu.edu 

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