Non-Credit Language Programs

Community Language Courses

Our instructor-led community courses are open to both DU students and individuals in the community outside of DU and typically run in the evenings to provide learners the chance to study various languages in an encouraging and fun group environment. Some courses meet online, and others meet in person on the University of Denver campus. Classes follow the DU academic calendar with new classes typically starting in Week 2 of the fall, winter, and spring quarters.  

Questions? Contact cwlc@du.edu or use the information form above.

Course Offerings

• Beginners’ Courses

  Introduction: Intended for learners with little or no exposure to the language of interest, these non-credit courses cover the basics of the language of interest, with a focus on developing communication skills. To complete the course curriculum in its entirety, learners should expect to enroll in the fall, winter, and spring sessions. However, learners with some exposure can join in any quarter. In each 10-week course, learners will meet for 90 minutes weekly with a DU language instructor who will guide learners’ studies and provide opportunities for engaging in conversation during weekly meetings.  

  • These languages are normally offered online via Zoom: Arabic, French, Italian and Spanish.  
  • These languages are normally offered in person on the DU campus: American Sign Language, English, and German.  

   

  Cost: The registration fee for all languages except English is $300 per quarter. Discounts are available for graduate students in some DU programs. To see if you qualify, please contact cwlc@du.edu  before you register.  English language classes cost $100 per quarter. Free options for English practice are also available. 

  Visit our registration page to see what courses are currently open. 

• Let’s Practice Courses

  Introduction: Intended for learners with an intermediate or higher level in the language of interest, these courses are designed to increase learners' fluency in the language of interest as applied to everyday situations. Learners will also identify common cultural patterns and describe various cultural viewpoints. Over the course of 10 weeks, learners will meet for 90 minutes weekly with a DU instructor who will guide their studying and provide opportunities for engaging in conversation during weekly meetings. Learners may be asked to view videos, listen to songs, or read articles to discuss in class. 

  • These languages are normally offered online via Zoom: Arabic, French, Italian, and Spanish.  
  • These languages are normally offered in person on the DU campus: American Sign Language, English and German. 

   

  Cost: The registration fee for all languages except English is $300 per quarter. Discounts are available for graduate students in some DU programs. To see if you qualify, please contact us at cwlc@du.edu before you register. English classes cost $100 per quarter. Free options for English practice are also available. 

  Visit our registration page to see what courses are currently open. 

Languages For You!

Our For You! program provides the opportunity to study less commonly taught languages not available through traditional classroom instruction at the University of Denver. Flexibility is one of the key components of this program, responding to your language needs and language acquisition capabilities. Your study is guided with the support of a Language Partner who is a native speaker of the language you wish to study.

• More Information

  Introduction: Our For You! program combines self-directed study, weekly meetings one-on-one with a Language Partner, and weekly small group meetings with the Language Partner and other learners to practice active conversation, ask questions, and develop cultural insights. The CWLC Associate Director and the Language Partner will provide guidance in setting goals, monitoring progress, and choosing learning materials.  

  Languages recently offered are Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Filipino, Hindi, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Visit this page to see our current offerings! 

  Cost: The registration fee for all languages is $400 per quarter.

  Want to learn a less commonly taught language that you don't see listed above? Complete this form to let us know! For questions about Languages for You!, contact CWLC Associate Director Ethel Swartley at cwlc@du.edu

  Discounts are available for graduate students in some DU programs. To see if you qualify, please contact cwlc@du.edu before you register. 

Languages for Professions

The Center for World Languages and Cultures (CWLC)’s micro-credential programs, or Languages for Professions, allow learners to connect their language learning to other areas of expertise and/or their professional fields. In these courses, students will complete tasks related to a given professional domain and discuss situations relevant to their field of study or their professional setting. 

Have questions? Reach out to cwlc@du.edu.