Spend time at the English Language School and you’ll experience the single most effective method for rapid language acquisition: a total English language immersion environment with the Language Pledge®—a promise to read, write, listen, and speak only in your language of study.

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English Program Overview

The English Language School is a 7-week summer program located in Monterey, California at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS). The program is open to students who want to learn English—from intermediate to advanced. Our students are undergraduate applicants, current undergraduates, graduate students, professionals looking to succeed in their careers, and lifelong learners from all over the world.

Middlebury also offers a 6-week English Preparation for Graduate Studies program for admitted MIIS students only.

Live in Language

Students read, write, listen, and speak English 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you were to choose one thing that sets us apart, it would be the dedication of students and faculty to making great strides in language learning, embodied by the Language Pledge.

You don’t merely learn the English language, you learn about literature, history, politics, art, film, music, food, and dance, because we don’t separate language and culture.

Outside the classroom, you’ll participate in organized cocurricular activities—including cooking and movie nights—each designed to help you build new vocabulary while developing cultural fluency. Students have the opportunity to live in on-campus housing at a newly renovated space.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Learning and mastering English opens you to a world of career, educational, and even personal opportunities.

English is among the top five world languages in terms of the number of speakers. As of 2022, more than one billion people speak English. This number represents an eighth of the world’s population.

English is one of the world’s universal languages. You will open yourself to many opportunities by adding English to your linguistic arsenal. English proficiency is a must if you are looking to follow a career in many fields, including 

  • Technology
  • Science
  • Academia
  • Diplomatic Affairs
  • Government and Public Affairs

Middlebury Language Schools was ranked the Best Foreign Language Program in 2022.

Prepare for Undergraduate or Graduate Studies

Improving your speaking, reading, and writing skills will make you more competitive if you’re considering going to university in the US or any other English-speaking country.

Whether you’re applying for an undergraduate program or a Ph.D., English proficiency can improve your admission chances.

Improve Your Performance in English Language Proficiency Tests

Mastering English allows you to do well in various English assessment tests, namely: 

  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
  • CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

These tests have different rubrics and standards. English proficiency is crucial to performing well in all of them. 

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At the English Language School, we believe in the power of immersive learning. Here are some of the benefits of learning English through immersion.

Cultural Immersion

At Middlebury Language Schools, language and culture go hand-in-hand. Learning a language goes beyond sitting in a classroom: mastering English requires participating in the culture.

Besides our classes, we offer non-academic activities. These activities are a crucial part of the English Language School’s curriculum. Cocurricular activities allow you to practice English in a way that seems like play. We offer activities like movie night, cooking, and even sporting activities.

Mastery of English Outside Academics

In an environment of English speakers, you won’t just learn grammar and vocabulary; you’ll also master other features of English. You’ll learn idioms, connotations, and collocations during your seven-week stay. Mastering these features will help you understand and use English as it’s spoken daily.

Learning and Living the Language

The Language Pledge is a central part of our language programs at Middlebury. It’s a promise to write, speak, and read in English for the duration of the program. Over time, you will no longer be translating words from your language to English. Speaking English will become natural and more spontaneous.

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If you are an international student, you’re welcome to apply to the program. We don’t require you to take the TOEFL for our summer English Language School. You will, however, need a visa and an I-20 form from our International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). We offer international student support if you are about to apply for F-1 status. Check out our student visa information page for more information.

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Our English Language School is open to undergraduates, graduates, professionals, and anyone passionate about sharpening their English skills. You will be asked to complete a brief assessment prior to admission to confirm that at the very least, you are able to:

  • Understand and use familiar everyday expressions
  • Communicate in simple and routine tasks
  • Ask and answer questions about personal details like where you live, people you know, and things you have
  • Interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help
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This question is hard to answer because, ultimately, it will depend on your personal skills. Are you usually fast to pick up a language? Have you been exposed to English as a child? This will all influence your ability to learn and master the English language.

Our 7-week English Immersion Program is a great way to improve your English language skills in a relatively short period. By taking the Language Pledge (and committing to speaking, reading, and writing only in English for the duration of the program), our students make impressive improvements in just two months.

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At this time, Middlebury does not have merit based scholarships or need-based financial aid available for students to attend the English Language School.