Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Cappy.
Hi Christina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My interest in language teaching and learning grew out of my international upbringing in Italy. I was born in Kentucky and moved to Florence at age 11, where I learned Italian by making friends, going to school, spending time downtown, and living in the countryside during the summers. That experience not only taught me the language but also sparked a lifelong curiosity about cultures and languages around the world.
After attending university in Atlanta and Cape Town, I traveled throughout Southeast Asia and India. A planned five day visit to Bend, Oregon unexpectedly turned into a year, after which I continued my studies in anthropology and educational policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Through my doctoral program, I conducted research in schools in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, strengthening my Zulu and Spanish along the way. Throughout my studies and travels, I continued teaching Italian and anthropology in universities and private programs.
During the final year of my doctoral program, I received a writing grant that allowed me to finish my dissertation from anywhere in the world-so I returned to beautiful Bend. I began teaching anthropology at Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University-Cascades. After a couple of years, I realized our town could benefit from a language institute, and I began collaborating with local instructors to found Bend Language Institute.
Over the past several years, the institute has grown from a small room with homemade whiteboards into a thriving center for language learning. We now offer classes in ten languages, taught by instructors with experience in colleges, K-12 schools, and private programs across the country.
Today my days are filled with the laughter of language learners, the bustle of university anthropology classes, and running around with my busy 1-year-old. I regularly host workshops and community events where I meet inspiring people from across our town. I’m truly honored to collaborate with such dedicated teachers and community members every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I started Bend Language Institute, I didn’t have many expectations. I wondered whether it might simply be me tutoring Italian with a couple of other instructors, or whether it might last only a year.
Then, in Winter 2020, I was stunned when our first classes filled immediately–Italian, French, Spanish, and Japanese all had packed rooms. And then, during the final week of that term, COVID 19 hit and everything shut down.
We had to quickly learn how to teach online. Universities were in chaos, and our newly formed institute struggled to adapt. But we did, and we kept moving forward. We learned new skills that continue to support our distance learning options today, helping students stay engaged even when they’re out of town. We also set up an outdoor classroom at my house so we could socially distance while learning. It was a challenging time, but looking back, that period helped shape what we have built together.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Bend Language Institute offers small group classes, interactive workshops, and private lessons in Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Mandarin, American Sign Language, English, Arabic, and Russian. Our classes are designed for adults and youth ages 13 and up, and we also offer private lessons for children.
What sets us apart is the community that forms in our classrooms. Learning a language with us is genuinely fun. We often host class dinners, movie nights, and larger community events where students can socialize. Many small groups continue meeting outside of class as well. Building friendships makes language learning more enjoyable — and more successful.
We pride ourselves on offering engaging, interactive classes. Many students learn with us for years. I’ve had students begin without knowing how to say, “How are you?” in Italian, and two years later we’re discussing current events and films in depth. It’s incredibly rewarding.
This year, I’m especially proud that we are able to offer full scholarships for our American Sign Language (ASL) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs. Through partnerships with nonprofits and local businesses, we’ve expanded access for learners who need it most. We look forward to growing our ASL and ESOL offerings even further.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I absolutely love how accessible Bend is to natural spaces. Within minutes, you can walk along a river, visit a waterfall, or head toward the mountains. I also admire how many people–including retirees–embrace all the activities Bend offers. People stay active physically and mentally, and I hope to be the same in my seventies.
What I like least is the smoke in late summer. Since I first lived here 18 years ago, fire and smoke seasons have grown longer. It’s harder to enjoy the beautiful summer, and many local business owners have been affected. I’m grateful to the firefighters–many of them quite young–who work tirelessly to contain our wildfires.
Pricing:
- Language-in-Action Workshops $50-65
- Travel Essential Courses $165
- 8-Week Language Course $445
- 10-pack of private lessons $530
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bendlanguageinstitute.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendlanguageinstitute/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bendlanguageinstitute
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-cappy-04979449/
