Taking a Language Course during Intersessions

Intersessions - Language Class FAQ's

How much time do the online language courses require?
To be successful in these courses, students should expect to spend about six hours per day (including weekends) on assignments, homework, and class meetings. Remember that this is a semester-long course that has been condensed into one month!

Is the course synchronous or asynchronous?
Most of the course is completely asynchronously (on your own time, but with specific daily deadlines). There are 1 or 2 synchronous meetings each week with the instructor and/or other students that are mandatory. The exact time of the synchronous course meetings is usually NOT established until the first day of class. This is because your instructor will schedule meetings based on everyone’s availability and will do their best to accommodate your scheduling needs. There may be additional group projects, partner chats, or other synchronous meetings depending on the online class you take. If you know in advance that you will have specific scheduling challenges (such as being in a different time zone or being unavailable during certain hours on a regular basis), it is helpful to let your instructor know in advance.

How is the course structured?
You will learn, study, practice, and complete activities on your own outside of the synchronous sessions. You will use Canvas, Zoom, and your textbook’s online platform to complete these activities. Discipline and organization are critical to your success with this format. There is a lot of material to keep up with on a daily basis on your own!

Can I take another class, travel, or have an internship/ job while taking this class?
We recommend that this class be your main commitment, as it is a full-time responsibility with daily deadlines.

Can I travel while taking this class? What about WIFI?
To complete online assignments and participate in synchronous sessions, you will need high-quality wi-fi and a computer with a camera and microphone. You will need to be in a work-appropriate environment for synchronous sessions. In most cases, public Wi-Fi is not sufficient. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a stable internet connection throughout the course. Additionally, keep in mind that access to all the features on Canvas or in other applications used for the course may be limited in certain countries.

Still have questions? Want to know more? Reach out to the course instructor directly.