Your Passion. Our Mission.

Our mission is to serve language teachers and their students and to promote global citizenship through quality educational programs including short-term travels, language-immersion family stays, and hosting opportunities.

Our Vision.

We value knowledge of other languages and cultures, an eagerness to improve communication skills, and a curiosity for learning. By encouraging growth and curiosity through hosting and travel, we help others develop an awareness of our roles as world citizens and move in the direction of a more peaceful world.

Our Experience.

Language & Friendship, Inc., has a staff with more than 100 years of combined experience in intercultural and educational programs. Staff experiences include: advanced degrees in foreign languages; teaching experience at all levels; personal family-stay experiences; living abroad; leading students abroad; working at places such as Concordia Language Villages and other student travel programs.

Our Heritage.

Language & Friendship, Inc. was created in 1988 by Naomi Thomsen to offer maximum personalized service and custom-designed programs. Naomi passed away in 2004. We are dedicated to carrying on Naomi’s passion for languages and friendships, and we invite you to share this journey.

Our Recognition.

Naomi Thomsen, our founder, was presented in 2004 with the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Palmes Académiques, the French government’s highest honor to those who have advanced the cause of French culture and language. Additionally in 2022, our long-time director, Liane Mattson was awarded this same honor.

Language & Friendship, Inc. was granted the Pro Lingua Award in 1992 by the Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures. This award recognizes outstanding service to and support of linguistic and cultural education by a person or organization from outside the language teaching profession in Minnesota.

Our name says it all.
At L&F, we do what we do out of our love of languages, cultures, and a passion for travel. Our lives have been enriched by friendships formed through travel and living abroad, as well as by foreign visitors we have hosted.
What are people saying about their L&F experience?

I really appreciate the personal attention and help in organizing and planning that you are always so willing to provide. Thanks a million and know that I have been singing your praises.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Cedar Rapids, IA

My daughter had such a great experience with her host family in France! She came back with a different understanding of the language and she now wants to study abroad after high school. We couldn't have been happier with the program.

Parent
-Parent,
 Anacortes, WA

Our two daughters talked non-stop on the drive home and both became tearful in talking about leaving their host families (in Argentina)

Parent
-Parent,
 Grand Forks, ND

Our tour guide, Francis, was amazing, and the activities were so much fun!

Student
-Student,
 West Bend, WI

All support & information was excellent. The personal attention and help is second to none.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Eagan HS, MN

Seeing France through the eyes of my students was like falling in love anew.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Fargo, ND

I was forced to speak the language, and I improved a lot. I also loved feeling at home and not feeling like just a tourist!

Student
-Student,
 Detroit, MI

My favorite memories of the entire experience are going to keep me smiling for years to come! The memories and impact this trip has had on my life are too many to count. I hope I can visit Spain again soon!

Student
-Student,
 Appleton, WI

All our questions, requests and needs are taken care of quickly and efficiently. We always receive personal service and attention.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Tracy, MN

My host family was so welcoming to me. I loved how willing they were to make communication easier through gestures and simplifying the language.

Student
-Student,
 Fargo, ND

Thank you for the amazing opportunity to go to Spain my junior year. Without that experience I would have never gained a second family that is so willing to open their doors to me. I feel truly blessed.

Student
-Student,
 Appleton, WI

I felt welcomed, like an old family friend. They treated me with respect and kindness. Even with a language barrier, I felt at home.

Student
-Student,
 Anacortes, WA

Language and Friendship is amazing. My daughter traveled as an individual to France from the U.S. for a four week home stay. Every detail was planned and the entire trip was perfect. The host family was wonderful and the organization went to great lengths to make sure my daughter was safe and happy. Thank you Laurence and Language and Friendship!

Parent
-Parent,
 Elk Grove, CA

Exposing our kids to this experience and friendship has changed them and will affect them for their lifetime.

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Edina, MN

The Student Guidebook is excellent! It is a very detailed concise set of information for students and the parents.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Hanford HS, WA

The family stay coordinators really care deeply about this homestay program. I consider them my friends.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Owatonna, MN

The best part of the family stay was getting to see the island from a local's perspective and not just a typical tourist's view. They were very open and happy to show me around.

Student
-Student,
 Lakeville, MN

I really appreciated the one-on-one attention the L&F staff provided.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Menomonie, WI

This trip was amazing! Our L&F coordinator's knowledge of the language and culture was very helpful and educational. The trip of a lifetime!

Traveler
-Traveler,
 Farmington, MN

It opened our eyes to a different culture. We all learned a few things and had a great time!

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Detroit, MI

The trip was so well-organized and the parents were kept so well-informed. It made us feel confident that [our daughter] would be in good hands.

Parent
-Parent,
 St Paul, MN

Hosting students in our school was a fantastic and invaluable opportunity. Not all of our students can travel abroad, so hosting gave them a chance to bring France to their homes. It also inspired them to continue in their French studies.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 San Clemente, CA

[My favorite thing was:] The activities that I did with my family like going on bike, swimming, trying out other sports, etc. I liked it because those are activities that I like to do in my everyday life and I got to do it with a family from another country.

Student
-Student,
 Menominee, MI

I just feel extremely grateful and lucky that I had this wonderful experience. I'm also grateful for all the people I got to meet, all the activities I did, and a totally different culture that I got to learn from. Trips like this are just unforgettable and help people view the world from a different perspective.

Student
-Student,
 Menominee, MI

I love how passionate you are about what you do. This is why you are such a great company and I trust you.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Kansas City, MO

Everyone at L&F is always available and helpful. Thank you for your regular communication.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Bellingham, WA

Language & Friendship is a great organization and I have worked with them for many years. They do a great job and are helping to promote global understanding, one student at a time.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Forest Lake, MN

The best part of the family stay was learning the culture, learning new phrases and vocab, and listening to them speak at a realistic speed!

Student
-Student,
 Wauwatosa, WI

Language & Friendship offers fun-filled, language-rich, way more than a sightseeing tour adventure in truly magical locations.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Owatonna, MN

It helped our kids see our community from a different perspective. We learned a lot about a country and culture we didn't know much about before.

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Eau Claire, WI

There is no better way to experience Spain’s culture than by getting the chance to stay with a family.

Student
-Student,
 Tracy, MN

The host family treated me like a true family member and made a strong effort to always make me feel welcome, safe, loved and important.

Student
-Student,
 Owatonna, MN

The itinerary was grand, and the lodgings, meals, and activities were all indicative of careful planning. Linda was a great group leader - so attentive, always helpful. I have traveled a lot in the last 10 years and I must say this is one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had because of the personal touches.

Traveler
-Traveler,
 Apple Valley MN

I was just telling my husband last night about how nice and educational our L&F program was as compared to the non-language trip with another company --never again! L&F would definitely be my choice.

Student
-Student,
 Fairbanks, AK

L&F is a great company, professional, organized, caring and committed to providing students and teachers with quality cultural experiences. The name "Language & Friendship" truly reflects the values and dedication of you all.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Warrensburg, MO

... having spent every day and night listening to the language all around me, I adjusted well enough that I was able to turn my English brain off and fully dive into the complexities that was the French language.

Student
-Student,
 Elgin, IL

Claire thoroughly enjoyed her stay in Spain, and we cannot say enough kind things about the Language & Friendship Program. Thanks again for being so helpful and responsive.

Parent
-Parent,
 Appleton, WI

Our family benefited by forming a friendship with a wonderful girl from France, enjoying simple things like hiking.

Host Family
-Host Family,
 San Clemente, CA

My daughter’s host family is absolutely perfect and I am getting tearful thinking how grateful I am that she was matched with such a good family!

Parent
-Parent,
 Kansas City, MO

Being in a household that spoke only Spanish helped me take the next step in fluency, something I would not be able to do in a classroom.

Student
-Student,
 St Paul, MN

Such a confidence builder! My son got to know French culture first- hand. He expanded his world-view and had the opportunity to develop relationships with people outside the US. He recognized that we are more similar to people from other countries than dissimilar.

Parent
-Parent,
 Edina, MN

Some of my language learning moments mainly happened over mealtimes, since there is a lot of talking done when people are eating.

Student
-Student,
 Elgin, IL

I am really impressed with your pre-trip mailings and communication. I have worked with other companies, and L&F is taking care of so much more, in such an organized way! As a teacher, I am busy enough, and having everything laid out so nicely is refreshing.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Iowa City, IA

Our family benefited in so many ways: trying something out of our comfort zone; patience with talking and explaining things slower; not taking our blessings for granted; and most of all, teaching us that a family “loves” the same in all languages!

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Lakeville, MN

It was a learning experience for everyone. My family not only gained a friendship, but also gained a close family member. It was amazing!

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Seymour, WI

This experience was the best that my students have ever had. Anyone can take students on a tour. A family-stay experience is something they will always remember and will have learned from.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Cerritos, CA

My daughter had a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Spain. Thank you very much for all the hard work.

Parent
-Parent,
 Kansas City, MO

I saw huge improvements in my French during my time there. The speaking aspect of it improved but what improved even more was the understanding. I can now understand French so much more than I used to! And it makes me want to practice my French all the time!

Student
-Student,
 Prior Lake, MN

As a first-time visitor to Québec, I. was amazed at the amount of French everywhere. II've been to the anglophone part of Canada before, but I must admit, the francophone part is an entirely new world.

Student
-Student,
 West Bend, WI

My host parents were from two different regions of Spain, so I also got to see the contrast in accents, culture, and family background.

Student
-Student,
 St Paul, MN

Travel abroad gives you a broader context which enables you to better view your own culture. Group travel is really the only way to go because you learn so much from each other and from each other's stories. You also don't waste time on the mundane because there's a leader to navigate the way!

Traveler
-Traveler,
 St Paul, MN

Beyond the fact that you are learning a language and culture, you are doing something on your own that takes a lot of courage and strength, which helps even prepare you for college and becoming more independent.

Student
-Student,
 Hastings, MN

I was very apprehensive of family stays, and now I would say it was the best part of the trip! Thanks so much for the encouragement!

Student
-Student,
 Menomonie, WI

My favorite memories are getting to see all that is Spain! From the architecture to all of the history held there. I tried so many new things. It was great!

Student
-Student,
 Germantown, WI

We learned as much about ourselves as did about the student. This was an excellent learning experience.

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Kansas City, MO

We are truly carrying out the mission of intercultural and language learning together! I simply would not travel with any organization but Language & Friendship!

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Pittsburgh, PA

If you love the language, you'll love this; it's a life-changing experience; there is nothing else like it; you get to know more people; you will love every minute of it!

Student
-Student,
 Rosemount. MN

As a new leader, the Leader Guidebook really helped me communicate important preparation pieces to the students and parents.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Kansas City, MO

I am very grateful for the thorough, supportive, accurate and up-to-date information and suggestions provided frequently by L&F.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Germantown, WI

We will never be the same; she is truly PART of our family, our French daughter/sister...we fell in love with her and she with us - it was the most rewarding thing ever!

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Appleton, WI

What surprised our family most about hosting was how normal it felt to have another child in the home, the routine was nearly the same as it would be with our two children; it was very simple.

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Green Bay, WI

I appreciate how changes and improvements are continually made to the Leader Guidebook, and we continue to integrate new suggestions into our planning.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Chicago, IL

We learned a lot on so many different levels. It was a fabulous experience! :)

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Rosemount, MN

The mix of fun and educational activities kept our students engaged and excited throughout the entire visit, and upon our return our campus is abuzz with students spreading the word about "the best trip ever."

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Bell Buckle, TN

Language & Friendship has a major advantage over other companies: incredible experience, 24/7 contact, attention to details never imagined by even the most seasoned traveler, and expert guidance provided for teachers, students, and parents.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Tallahassee, FL

Your Leader Workshop renewed my passion for teaching language and traveling with students. I’ve traveled with students since 1990 and this was my first trip with L&F – all I can say is, “Where have you been all my life?”

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Tacoma, WA

Québec is a great place for middle schoolers to visit. It is small, safe, and young teens can get a good handle of directions.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Nashville, TN

The family stay was amazing. The days with them were like. any other day at my house but with a Martiniquais twist (culture, food, beaches).

Student
-Student,
 Kalispell, MT

My favorite memories from the trip are from the family stay. Spain is the best!

Student
-Student,
 Iowa City, IA

Our family benefited by learning about another country and realizing that there is more to the world than just the U.S.!

Host Family
-Host Family,
 West Fargo, ND

It was a life-changing experience for her and opened her eyes to a big whole new world. It has provided wonderful new friendship.

Parent
-Parent,
 Bettendorf, IA

My favorite memories from my experience? The ones in which I was able to try things I had never done before!

Student
-Student,
 Bay Port, WI

The best thing about the family stay was getting to see France from the perspective of those who actually reside there.

Student
-Student,
 Minneapolis, MN

You are in this business for the right reasons and do a phenomenal job of ensuring that we have fun-filled, language-rich, way-more-than-a-sight-seeing tour in truly magical locations!

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Owatonna, MN

Our kids learned a lot about European life without traveling. They learned how to teach and employ language and show hospitality to a foreigner.

Host Family
-Host Family,
 Phoenix, AZ

The best part was the immersion into the culture and that we got to see/experience/learn about many different aspects of French-Canadian culture.

Student
-Student,
 Edina, MN

My favorite part of the program was just experiencing the family life and finally feeling incorporated into the family. This took a little time to actually feel comfortable - around a week - but after, I loved learning about the culture and almost feeling French.

Student
-Student,
 Glenmoore, PA

It really was an unbelievable experience and I think that for some of the students, it was only the first part of a long-term relationship with the people they met and the country itself.

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Grand Forks, ND

THANK YOU to the teacher for all she did to make this trip to Spain such a memorable one. I can only imagine all the hours of prep she put into the planning so everything would go as smooth as it did. Our daughter had an experience of a lifetime, one she probably would have not had if it had not been for the L&F teacher. She was very lucky to be able to stay with such a wonderful family. Many tears were shed by all as she said good-bye. Thank you again!

Parent
-Parent,
 Appleton, WI

The people at L&F are fabulous to work with – they are very thorough, well organized and always willing to help/answer your questions. They have great materials available for teachers to use. We are so pleased!

Teacher
-Teacher,
 Appleton, WI
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