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CIBER

WORKINGLanguages

WORKINGLanguages™ help students and working professionals learn languages and business cultures without causing major conflicts with other school, work and personal activities. Working Languages run 28 weeks. Working Spanish is offered at two levels: beginner (for people with little to no background in the language) and intermediate (assumes 1 -2 years prior language training) and Working Portuguese and Working Mandarin are offered at the beginning level. These programs utilize a unique combination of interactive technology, distance learning, instructor-led workshops, conversation hours and an immersion to a country where the target language is spoken to create culturally sensitive language speakers who can function comfortably and effectively in the target language's workplace.

Format

Limited class size
Internet instruction
Flexible scheduling to facilitate studying at student's convenience
Instructor led workshops
Review of students' progress in independent work and preview of upcoming lessons
Weekly conversation hours with bilingual conversation coaches
Practice language skills and increase comfort with verbal communication
In-country Immersion

In-country Immersions

UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students taking a Working Language course are required to participate in an in-country immersion. Participation can be waived under certain circumstances, such as planned participation in an international exchange program or the Global Business Project course. The immersions feature homestays, personalized language tutoring, visits to businesses and cultural sites and participation in the Mission (Im)possible, which promotes communication and cross-cultural understanding.

In 2008 the Working Languages immersions are in Costa Rica (Beginner Working Spanish), Spain (Intermediate Working Spanish), Brazil (Working Portuguese), and China (Working Mandarin). Immersion costs are separate from tuition, and vary by country.

Learn more about the Working Spanish 2008 immersion in Costa Rica by reading the program booklet [PDF: 1M] or view a sample itinerary.

Timing

Sections of all three Working Languages are taught for credit at both UNC Kenan-Flagler and Fuqua School of Business. Working Spanish for Beginners and Intermediates run from August through April, with an immersion in March as well as from January to the end of June, with an immersion in May. Typically, the first half of Working Portuguese and Working Mandarin run from January to April and resume in August, ending in early December. Their immersions are for two weeks and usually take place from about May 15 - May 30.

MBAs and other students who wish to take the course for credit should register through their programs. Non-MBAs wishing to take the courses should contact the office for specific information on options and fees.

Fees

Instructional fees
covered by tuition for Fuqua and UNC students; varies for others, but ranges from $600 for NC State employees and UNC alumni to $1200 for interested, but non-affiliated executives
Materials
A minimal fee for Working Language book and CD and Internet classroom
Immersion fees (not including airfare)
Spanish (Costa Rica) $1350; Portuguese (Brazil) $1500; Mandarin (China) $1750

Technological Requirements

IBM compatible or Apple computer with built-in capacity to play MP3 files
Internet access (MAC operating system 10.2 or better, Internet Explorer 5.2 or better or Netscape 4.78 or better)
Speakers
A microphone (either built in or attached)

2008 Dates for WORKINGSpanish for Executive MBAs (EMBAs) and Working Executives

The Executive Working Spanish course begins on January 11, with an online orientation. The first in-person workshop is on Friday, January 18th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. The course ends on May 30th. There are deliverables due over the Internet every week, as well as weekly conversation hours which will begin the week of January 28 (days and times TBA).

Immersion

UNC KFBS Executive MBAs contact or by telephone 919.962.3122

All other interested participants, register online

2008 Dates for WORKINGMandarin for Executive MBAs and Working Executives

The Executive Working Mandarin course begins January 11 with an online orientation. The first in-person workshop will be held on Friday, January 18th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. This course includes an immersion to China from May 13-27, and ends on May 30th. There are deliverables due every week, as well as weekly conversation hours which will begin the week of January 28th (days and times TBA).

Immersion

UNC KFBS Executive MBAs contact or by telephone 919.962.3122

All other interested participants, register online .

2008 Dates for WORKINGPortuguese (MBA 874 - 001)

Open to all — daytime, Executive MBAs and all other interested executive participants — begins January 10th with an online orientation. The first in-person workshop is on Thursday, January 17th, 6:00 - 7:15 pm and has an immersion from May 13 - 24th. For the day time students, the course continues in the fall semester. Special arrangements have been made for Executive MBAs to complete Part A of the course and the immersion for a total of 4 credits. There are deliverables due every week, as well as weekly conversation hours which will begin the week of January 28th (days and times TBA).

UNC KFBS Executive MBAs contact or by telephone 919.962.3122

All other interested participants, register online .

For additional schedule and enrollment information, please contact Maria Elena Rodriguez, Working Languages Director at or the CIBER office by phone at 919.962.7843 or by email at When you call, ask to speak with Marybeth Lavrakas or Maria Elena Rodriguez.

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