MIDDLEBURY, Vt. ? Middlebury College has established the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA), a summer language immersion program for pre-college students. The four-week residential camps will begin in July 2008, and will offer Arabic, Chinese, French and Spanish. The 2008 sessions will take place on the campuses of St. Michael’s College in Colchester; Menlo College in Atherton, Calif.; and Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass.

The MMLA is a collaboration between the Language Schools of Middlebury College and the Monterey Institute of International Studies, a Middlebury affiliate. The Middlebury College Language Schools, which began in 1915 with the founding of the German School, have long been a leader in the immersion approach to language learning. According to Middlebury College President Ronald D. Liebowitz, the expansion of this type of programming is the result of a demand for high quality foreign language instruction for pre-college students. “The Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy is another way in which Middlebury College is strategically addressing the growing need for superior foreign language learning opportunities in this country,” said Liebowitz.

“By establishing this academy, Middlebury and Monterey continue to build on common strengths in language and culture studies, helping to educate the next generation of students to become informed global citizens and leaders,” said Monterey Institute of International Studies President Clara Yu.

MMLA is specifically targeted to meet the learning styles of middle and high school students while providing an enjoyable summer camp environment. Students and faculty will live in language-specific residence halls, participate in language instruction, and speak the target language in every activity of camp - including cooking classes, group hikes, soccer competitions, and Festival Night dances hosted by the different language groups.

“Student campers at MMLA will live their language of study in every moment of the day,” said MMLA Director David Toomey. “Through a carefully planned progression of language learning and culture studies designed for beginning to advanced levels, students will be challenged, improve on essential language skills, and have fun.” According to Toomey, each camper will receive more language exposure in four weeks with MMLA than during a full year of middle or high school classes.

For more information about MMLA, visit www.mmla.middlebury.edu or call (802) 443-2900.