The Russian Language Institute is our original intensive language program. The RLI was first offered as a summer language program in 1993 on the campus of Columbia International University. Today It is a full-time, year-round institute located in Spokane, Washington, which is home to over 40,000 Russians and a large number of Russian-speaking churches. We remain committed to providing students with accelerated programs that ensure the speedy acquisition of the Russian language and a strong understanding of the culture.
At RLI we don’t mess around. Here you will be speaking, reading and writing in Russian within weeks of beginning your training. The year-round Institute is designed to provide new trainees with a complete program of study in order to meet the minimum language proficiency level required for effective communication in most basic life and ministry situations. Completion of the 8-month program (6 months for those who qualify) provides one with certification in the language, ensuring effective long-term lyanguage acquisition with continued study following the institute.
Why is such pre-field training so vital? Click here to learn more
Structure of the Year-round RLI
The Russian Language Institute gives new students the potential of beginning their training in the Fall and completing training in the Spring semester. The complete program is broken down into two different tracks of study (when enrollment allows), according to the specific needs of our trainees. When larger numbers of students are enrolled, we offer an Accelerated Track for quick language acquisition, and a Standard Track of study (which is appropriate for most of our students).
Assignment to the accelerated track of study is based upon a Language Aptitude Exam and Cognitive Profile that we administer to new students. The exam evaluates and identifies your specific learning needs so that we can best serve you in acquiring the language. With an appropriate score on the aptitude test, students may qualify for the accelerated course. The result of this system is a program that suits virtually any individual’s language-learning aptitude and situation. The goal is that with proper study and effort, no one fails to learn. The two Tracks of study work with the following schedules for our full-time certification program:
Accelerated Track of Study: A 6-month course of study that begins in the Fall and runs until our Spring Break (approximately the third week of March).
Standard Track: An 8-month course of study that begins in the Fall and runs through the Spring.
Other Programs: We also provide an Online Study Program for students who need to study from remote locations or are unable to attend our campus in Spokane. Studying online with LCTI is not like standard online programs. Students enjoy a virtual classroom experience, with video sharing, whiteboard and class member and teacher visibility. Combined with our proven methods, you will be able to make good progress learning Russian online. It is also good preparation for eventual immersion.