Middlebury language program for pre-college students begins June 28

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. ? The Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA), a summer language immersion program for pre-college students, will begin its second year of programming on Sunday, June 28. The four-week residential session will take place at Green Mountain College in Poultney, and offer Arabic, Chinese, French and Spanish.

MMLA is a collaboration between the Middlebury Language Schools and the Monterey Institute of International Studies, an affiliate of Middlebury College. The Middlebury 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 Vice President of Language Schools, Schools Abroad and Graduate Programs Michael Geisler, the success of the program’s first summer more than affirmed the demand for this type of high quality foreign language instruction for pre-college students.

“MMLA’s intensive immersion approach to the teaching of language and culture - like that of the internationally recognized Middlebury Language Schools - is without a doubt the best way to provide today’s young people with the skills and resources to become tomorrow’s global citizens and leaders,” said Geisler.

More than 600 students - 15 percent of whom have received financial assistance - will participate in the program under the guidance of 176 faculty and staff members, including experienced language teachers from public, private and international schools throughout America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

MMLA is designed to meet the learning styles of middle and high school students in a fun and challenging environment. Students live in language-specific residence halls, participate in language instruction, and speak their target language in every activity - cooking classes, group hikes, soccer competitions and social events. Through a carefully planned progression of language learning and culture studies designed for beginning to advanced levels, MMLA students are challenged to make language breakthroughs while cultivating new friendships and having fun.

For more information, visit www.mmla.middlebury.edu or call (802) 296-2459.