The content of this summer immersion institute for Louisiana teachers of French covered the period of the Louisiana Purchase, from the retrocession of Louisiana to France by Spain in 1800, through the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803, to the entry of Louisiana in the Union as the 18th state in 1812. Using historical archives and authentic documents, the participants studied Americans' viewpoint on the Louisiana Purchase, as well as the viewpoints of the French in France and of the francophone population in Louisiana regarding La Vente de la Louisiane.

This institute took place on the LSU campus, and offered participants the option to register in two graduate courses for a total of six graduate credit hours. The format included lectures, seminars, discussions, and technology (as a resource and as a design tool) for constructing classroom-ready activities and modules. They combined with fieldwork on-site and at archive locations. Participants worked individually and in groups of two or four (by level and across level).

This program was conducted in a French immersion context whenever possible. Guest speakers could use French or English for their presentations and to communicate and discuss with the participants.

Monday through Thursday, the morning began with a  focus on the historical content, culture, civilization, events, and people of the Louisiana Purchase era 1800-1812, and on its legacy and impact on contemporary Louisiana. During the second half of the morning, participants created activities supported by the Louisiana Standards, whole language, theme teaching, project teaching, and content teaching. Participating teachers discussed pedagogical issues and the integration of social studies, literature, arts, music, and culture into their foreign language classes. These sessions were taught by guest scholars and speakers, and by the project director.

Afternoons  were devoted to working in groups or individually on creating web-modules under the guidance of technology and pedagogy specialists and the project director. Fridays were reserved for visits to, and on-site research at, special collections libraries, historical sites, museums and archives.