Expectations and Policies
Middlebury Language Schools creates one of the richest, most effective language-learning environments across a variety of formal and informal contexts.
Language Pledge®
Students sign the Language Pledge, promising to speak exclusively in the target language, after arrival and orientation. By adhering to the Pledge, your grasp of both written and spoken language will develop efficiently and effectively. For this reason, the Pledge is enforced. For violations of the Language Pledge that impact the learning of others in the community, students may be expelled, forfeiting both course credit and tuition refund.
Housing and Dining
The Language Schools operate on two main Vermont campuses—Middlebury College and Bennington College. Students are required to live on campus in dormitories and have meals together in dining halls, organized by language. Dormitories are generally large residence halls and may include shared rooms and bathrooms. More information on Housing and Dining.
Academic Expectations
Middlebury Language Schools is an intensive academic setting. In one summer, you will have completed the equivalent of a full academic year of language study. On weekdays you will spend 4-5 hours in class, with additional hours of preparation, homework, and in-language cocurricular activities. Outside class, you will be in a full immersion experience with students, teachers, and staff, where the required means of communication is your language of study. Students must receive written approval from their School director for all absences and are ordinarily not permitted to miss more than three days of class for any reason.
Tolerance and mutual respect establish a sense of community within each School and across our campuses. Middlebury encourages, and even demands, cooperation. Learning represents a communal effort; you should expect to employ your talents to the benefit of fellow students, just as you will benefit from their talents.
Community Standards
The ability of Middlebury to achieve its purposes depends on members of the campus community upholding our commonly accepted standards of conduct, which enable the highest quality of teaching and learning. Broadly, these are referred to as our Community Standards. This mission is advanced through students’ experiences with successes and challenges, and is reflected in the following Community Standards:
- cultivating respect and responsibility for self, others, and our shared environment;
- encouraging personal and intellectual courage and growth;
- manifesting integrity and honesty in all decisions and actions;
- promoting healthy, safe and balanced lifestyles;
- fostering a diverse and inclusive community committed to civility, open-mindedness and finding common ground.
Therefore, a balance of individual and community health and growth guides Middlebury’s approach to all endeavors, and to the policies that support those endeavors.
Annual Security Report
The Clery Act for campus safety and security reporting mandates that Middlebury College notify prospective students and employees (faculty, staff, and student) of the annual crime and fire safety report.
These Annual Security Reports (Middlebury, VT Campus, Bennington, VT Campus, MIIS) contain safety and security information, a detailed explanation of the Clery Act, and important contacts.
Please see our Compliance Information site. If you would like a printed copy of any of these reports, contact the Department of Public Safety at publicsafety@middlebury.edu.