World Language Initiative - Montana

¡Clases de inglés de verano en Big Sky! No se requiere inscripción previo. Todos los niveles son bienvenidos.
Para preguntas contacta a Ashley Valentini - [email protected]
¡Todos los niveles son bienvenidos!
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Drop-in English classes in Big Sky this summer! No registration necessary. All levels welcome!
For questions contact [email protected].

Gracias a

Join WLI at Neighbor Day!
Montana PBS is thrilled to invite families and community organizations to Neighbor Day—a free, heartwarming celebration of friendship, fun, and community!
Stop by and say hello to us at the World Language Initiative table!

Saturday June 13, 2026
9 am to 12 pm
Gallatin County Fairgrounds, Bozeman
Admission is completely free.

After the subpar snow season, Andy Liedberg, master brewer at Beehive Brewery in Big Sky, decided to ditch the snow for the sand in central America. On May 19th, he sat down for the Beyond the Classroom questionnaire, designed to encourage reflection, storytelling, cultural insight, and practical advice for other world travelers:

Most memorable experience: Galloping along black sand beaches
How WLI class helped: Increased Confidence
Biggest challenge: Limited Vocabulary
Best strategy: Repeat everything again and again
Newest vocabulary: Dale!
Cultural surprise: “Everybody was so nice and willing to help.”
Advice for future travelers: “Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and speak to people.”
Final reflection: “You connect with the culture more when you can speak the language. I realize how many doors opened for me even just trying to speak. I am so excited to learn more so when I go back I can make deeper relationships and connections with the people.

Last week, WLI hosted Montana's only Arabic teacher, Brendan Work! Brendan is an Arabic teacher at Sentinel and Hellgate High Schools in Missoula, and was Montana World Affairs Council's Global Educator of the Year. He came to Chief Joseph Middle School and Bozeman High School to present on the Arabic language and the Arab world. Thank you to the teachers and students who welcomed him, and to everyone who attended the Arabic speakers meet-and-greet!
Special thanks to QFI for funding this visit and to for hosting us.

That's a wrap on our Spring 2026 classes! We want to say a HUGE thank-you to all of the teachers who taught for WLI this session. We are so grateful for our fabulous staff!

Drop-In Spanish moves next week! Join us for the launch at club at 5:30pm on Tuesday May 19th at 5:30pm.
Complimentary taquitos for Taquito Tuesdays, and Happy Hour until 6pm!
Cash & online payments accepted - all levels welcome!

"Dear World Language Initiative Montana Community,

I'm seeking host families to host an exchange student for the 2026-2027 school year. You can have a life-changing impact on a lucky international teen. Exchange students have their own spending money and health insurance. They are ages 15-18 and come from all over the world. I will help guide you to hand-select a wonderful student to join your family. Please email me to learn more."

Contact Sierra for more information about hosting and the students!
Sierra Fein
ICES Local Coordinator
Phone: 406.570.2218
Email: [email protected]

Thank you to all who gave during Give Big Gallatin Valley 2026! A special thanks to Music Lingua and the Swann Family, our match sponsors.
AND... if you missed the 24 hours of giving, it's not too late! Help make language learning available to Montanans on our website.

It’s not too late—there’s still time to support the programs that enrich, educate, entertain and equip our community!
In these final hours of Give Big, your gift helps complete the puzzle. 🧩
Go to GiveBigGV.org - search “World Language Initiative.”

We have a match! Right now, your donation will be matched up to $1,000! Double the impact of your gift today.
A huge Thank You to Music Lingua and the Swann family for supporting this match.