INTERCULTURAL STUDIES EXIST TO PREPARE MISSIONARIES LINGUISTICALLY, CULTURALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY FOR THE SPANISH SPEAKING WORLD.
Over the years, appointees from 50 different missionary sending organizations have taken our Intercultural Studies Program. For those who make the long trip to South Texas each year, Rio Grande means 2 or 3 semesters of intense Spanish study.
RBGM’s Intercultural Studies Program, ICS, was a huge blessing for me and especially for the ministry God has entrusted to me. It provided me with an environment where I felt “safe” to practice the language and make the necessary mistakes, while at the same time giving me the tools in grammar and phonetics I needed to succeed in the language.
OUR MISSION
The Intercultural Studies Program is practical as well as academic. With that in mind, we feel that is of great importance for students to speak Spanish with as natural of an accent as possible and to be immersed in Latin culture in order to minister to them effectively. We want ICS graduates to sound like native speakers, not like “gringos”, which demands practice, practice, practice, and correction!
OUR UNIQUE BENEFITS
With our Spanish-speaking Bible students on campus and our close location to Mexico, we are able to provide an “immersion environment” while maintaining a convenient location in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Also, our students learn Spanish while surrounded by other believers, allowing them to learn spiritual vocabulary while being encouraged to grow in their relationship with the Lord
OUR PROGRAM
We begin a new program every semester making it possible for the student to start either in the Fall or in the Spring. It is a very intense program where hours are spent in the classroom studying and practicing:
1 – Grammar/Lab
2 – Phonetics/Lab
3 – Conversations
4 – Latin American Culture
5 – Missionary Spiritual Life
6 – Special Grammar
Tutor Time
Each student has four 50-minute afternoon
sessions per week with a personal tutor.
Classroom Instruction
Our classes are structured to help the student learn grammar, vocabulary, and intonation from teachers who are fluent in Spanish and experienced on the mission field.
Culture Exposure
All day long, our ICS students are in contact with native Spanish speakers and are exposed to their customs, food, and accent, all right here on campus!
Spiritual Life
ICS students grow in Jesus as they participate in chapels, churches, Bible conferences, prayer times, and fellowship with like-minded peers.
Upon completion of the first 2 semesters of the program the student will receive a Recognition of Completion, and after completion the 3rd semesters, the student will receive a Certificate Accredited by the ABHE (Association for Biblical Higher Education)
FINANCES
See details and costs by clicking on More Information or contact our admission department.
REQUIREMENTS
The Language School is not designed for those who wish to learn Spanish for merely personal or business interests, for this reason, applicants should be accepted by an evangelical mission board or sent by a Christian agency or church.