Thunderbird's intensive language programs are designed for adult learners who need to obtain basic foreign language proficiency quickly.


Student Experiences

Conversational After One Week

Most began with absolutely no knowledge of the language they wanted to learn. Yet, after just one week of 6–hour–per day classes, plus study time, most could speak fairly well in the present and near future tense, take dictation and answer questions – both verbally and orally. By the end of week two, most said they'd be comfortable traveling alone in a country where their newly learned language was spoken.

But, the group was visibly fatigued. After all, they'd covered almost a trimester's worth of Thunderbird's normal language course material in just 10 days.

"My brain is fried," said Deirdre Daly, an incoming student who took the Spanish class. "But considering that at 8 a.m. on Monday two weeks ago, I spoke not a word of Spanish and that I can now sit in the Pub and converse with the Colombians, Mexicans and other South Americans, I really feel like I've learned a lot and that I've achieved something."

Daly, an Irish national who speaks Gallic and French, is pursuing the language program here at Thunderbird. She will continue with Spanish.

Thunderbird Alum Looking for Spanish Refresher

"The content of this program was similar to what we covered during the entire first year of Thunderbird's executive masters program," said Luke Koons '95, an alumnus who works for Intel. "After two weeks, these totally new students could express themselves in Spanish. I only joined them for the second week and was surprised at their level of proficiency; this was clearly a benefit of the intensity of the program." Koons enrolled in the second week of Spanish to refresh his language skills. Having just returned from a two–year assignment with Intel in Japan, he'd become more comfortable with Japanese than Spanish. "I may have been able to review this on my own, but it would have taken a lot longer –– and a lot more self–discipline," he said. "This intensive format provided the type of jump start I needed."

Degree Student fulfilling Language Requirement

"The program was an efficient way to fulfill my language prerequisites," said Savvy Him '04, an incoming student from Cambodia. "I truly enjoyed the cultural aspect of the program; my class and I went to the Chinese Cultural Center in Phoenix for half a day to practice our Chinese and learn a bit more about the country's history. Chinese movies were also offered at night. "It's quite amazing how much one can learn in such a short period of time! I can honestly say that I could survive in China after two weeks of Chinese as it was taught in this format."

Business Professional Builds Bridge with Language

"I read about this program in the newspaper," said Steve Fischer, a business executive with Goodrich. "I knew Thunderbird had a good reputation and I wanted to learn French because I'm responsible for a facility we have in Paris. I wanted to be able to communicate with the people there in their language rather than being accommodated in my language. This program provided that opportunity."