Sveiki un Hello!
We hope we can help you in your commendable quest to learn Latvian!
The following programs and websites can be a starting point in steering you to a program that will hopefully meet your needs.
If you would like to submit your comments on the benefits or drawbacks of any of these sites, or if you have other suggestions that you would like to add to this list, please send comments and information to:
Anita Batarags
Latvian School programs for learning Latvian:
Classes for adults and children:
“Latvian as a Second Language” classes on Saturday mornings during the school year.
Latvian Lutheran Church Saturday School in Yonkers, NY
Contact: Laura Padegs- Zamurs, director
Oskara Kalpaka Latvian School of Milwaukee: contant Renate Blennert:
Classes for children:
Indianapolis Latvian School: contact Iveta Asone:
Latvian Ev Luth Church Latvian School of Philadelphia: currently offering classes for early elementary grades. Contact: Silvija Mezgailis:
Latvian School of Manchester, CT: currently offering classes for children ages 6-14.
Contact: Dace Micane Zalite:
Immersion program for Pre-schoolers: Chicago area
Starins Preschool: www. Starins.org or contact the director:
Summer school for teenage youths:
Kursa Summer High School in Shelton, WA offers language classes for 14-18 yr olds interested in learning Latvian. 2009 Summer schedule: July 5-August 8.
Contact Davis Kaneps: Kursa @kursa.org
In the Washington, DC area:
Language lessons, individual or group instruction:
Irena Woodruff
tel: 703-684-6009
email:
Alexandria, Va.
Teach yourself programs:
Click on EuoTalk programs.
Parts of this sight seem to be outdated, but if anyone has any information on the efficacy of the personal chat partner program, please respond!
Ko tu teici? :
Byki Latvian program: $69.00.
Latvian Before You Know It: $49.00
Also from Transparent language, available on Amazon: 101 languages of the World. See review below.*
* 101 Languages of the World.
for Windows/Macintosh. XP compatible.
Consists of 4 CD-ROMS.
Offers to help you to “learn common words and phrases or full conversational skills”.
Available from Amazon.com in $19-$39 price - range, depending upon whether new or used.
Reviewed by Gaida Skulte, teacher of Latvian as a Second Language, Latvian School of Manchester, CT:
The instructional program is good, but very short, interactive, intended mostly for tourists’ needs at the beginner level.
Sample dialogs address the following situations: greetings, hotel check-ins, basic banking, buying tickets, inquiring for travel directions and the time of day, restaurant conversation, numbers, calendar vocabulary.
Every situation is covered by two to three eight-line dialogs, initially teaching phrases and then sentences used in the dialog. The student has the option of choosing roles in the dialog. During the dialog the conversation is presented in writing and a click of the mouse on any unclear words or phrases will prompt the English translation or additional clarification on grammar application. The dialog speed can be adjusted as needed. Dialogs are clearly articulated and easy to follow.
The sequence of new material asks the student to:
1)listen to spoken dialog 2) repeat the spoken lines and compare pronunciation to that of the voice generated by the program. 3) participate in the dialog.
Additionally, the program offers worksheets for printing: crosswords, scrambled spellings, missing word fill-ins, dictations. Short grammar lessons applicable to the dialogs are also available for downloading.
The program is best suited for the adult or young-adult level.
Instructional materials/publications:
For children:
“Zirnîtis”: Latvian- English illustrated dictionary
Jaukas uzlimes': Skola, Majas, Brivdienas, Laukos., - sticker book. Published by Zvaigzne, ABC
Esmu klat': Majas, Lauku seta, Skola, Svetkos. Zvaigzne ABC
“Kas ir kas? Dialogs,arranged by Liga Gemute, Published by SI Apgads.- appropriate for preschool.
“Nac mums lidzi” arranged by I. Grinberga, published by Zvaigzne ABC.
All of the above materials require guidance from an individual fluent in Latvian.
Intensive courses:
For serious students, the University of Washington™
Baltic Studies Program allows students in
Scandinavian Area Studies to specialize in Latvian, Estonian or Lithuanian studies.
The Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI) offers intensive Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian language courses. The University of Wisconsin-Madison will host the Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI) in the summer of 2009 (June 15-August 7, 2009). Elementary Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian language courses will be offered, as well as lectures (in English) on Baltic history and culture and a rich program of cultural events related to the Baltic lands.
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WELCOME TO BALTIC INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL
Baltic International Summer School is a two-week intensive summer program for university and college students from all over the world. Besides lectures and workshops on the summer school topic, students also have an opportunity to learn the Latvian language, explore and discover the Baltic states and also make new friends from all over the world. The program also features a number of exciting field trips to other Baltic towns and social events. If you are a student, you can earn up to 3 ECTS for this summer school; if you take the language classes, you earn one ECT more!
Additional sources for Latvian Studies in Europe are available at: