This summer, College of the Canyons is offering students and resident the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Spanish language by participating in one of the college's five-day-long Intensive Spanish Institute (ISI) courses.

ISI courses have been developed for students wanting to learn the Spanish language and culture and those hoping to develop a specialized skill set within the language - for specific use in the teaching, healthcare, business or law enforcement fields.

However, all levels of fluency will benefit from the instruction, which is designed to provide students - from beginners to more experienced Spanish speakers - with near total immersion into the language over afive-day period.

Courses include language instruction and lessons, cultural workshops, lectures, group conversation, hands-on cooking and dancing.

The ISI course "Conversational Spanish" will run from July 7-11 and wil meet Monday through Friday from 8-11:50 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Students will earn three units of college credit upon completion. Students may also sign up for a conversational Spanish"mini course" held during the class lunch hour for .25 units of additional credit.

The ISI course "Spanish For Teachers" will run from July 8-22 and will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6:50 p.m. Students will earn one unit of college credit upon completion. Class activities and curriculum for this course have been structured to provide relevant training for teachers to be used in a classroom setting.

The ISI course "Spanish For Medical Personnel" will run from July 9-23 and will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6:50 p.m. Students will earn one unit of credit upon completion. Class activities and curriculum for this course have been structured to provide relevant training for doctors, nurses and other emergency service personnel.

For more information about the COC Intensive Spanish Institute courses, please visit www.canyons.edu/isior contactprofessor Claudia Acosta, chair of the COC Department of Modern Languages, at 661-362-3530 or e-mail claudia.acosta@canyons.edu.

This story was written by John McElwain.