Meet 7-week German Immersion Student: Robert Shields
Robert Shields, a PhD Student with The Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago, shares about his 7-week summer spent at our German School.
Hometown: Queens, NY
Program: 7-week Immersion
Current: PhD Student with The Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago
What surprised you about your experience at the German School?
I think most are pleasantly surprised by both the rigor and the friendliness of both faculty and peers. I enjoyed the regularity of drill and familiar faces.
The immersion experience is unmatched stateside (and even compared to some major German cities where everyone speaks English). It is simply the only way to go.
Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?
Firstly, the reputation of the Language Schools at Middlebury precedes itself. I had heard stellar testimonials throughout my academic career. Any professor that made a recommendation for language study always mentioned the Language Schools at Middlebury. Secondly, and quite serendipitously, I had almost accepted an offer to attend Middlebury for undergrad and this was a chance to get to know the school in a way I thought had been lost to me. I was not disappointed on either count.
The campus and surrounding area are stunning…idyllic even. The facilities are state of the art. The staff are all amazing, knowledgeable, and kind.
Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury. How are you currently using or planning to use the language you studied in your daily life (job, personal, research, etc.)?
The improvements can not be overstated. I came into the program with virtually no German and was assessed at level 1. I improved grammatically and conversationally on all fronts. Upon exiting the program, I placed into Level 3. These results speak for themselves.
My reasons for studying German were threefold:
1. As a Classicist and Philosopher, German is incredibly important for both primary and secondary texts (at least in the areas I have chosen to study).
2. As a requirement for my PhD I must pass several language exams and German seemed a logical place to begin.
3. I plan on visiting Germany again and have several friends from and/or currently living there.
I also have German & Austrian roots on my mother’s side and the Romantic in me is compelled by such things. So…fourfold, I suppose.
What makes the German School a unique environment to learn the language?
Though I mentioned this above I think I should state again that the immersion is simply unmatched. While I do believe in the importance of grammar and vocabulary drills (conjugation and declension charts etc.), which we had plenty of, immersion is the best way to actually learn and understand a language.
The necessity of communicating all day, every day, regarding things ranging from the most basic necessities to more nuanced concerns, force you out of your comfort zone in a way that constantly unlocks deeper comprehension.
The German school specifically made every effort to create a welcoming and productive environment. The number of social activities and opportunities to bond and practice were endless. You couldn’t do everything made available to you if you tried!
What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the German School?
Come! Join clubs and have fun! Be ready to work! Take your time in the program seriously and really try to achieve the level of proficiency you desired prior to entering. Take the Language Pledge® seriously as well. Encourage others to succeed! Pile on the immersion: not only classwork but shows, music, and constant interaction.
If you’ve had other language learning opportunities, how would you compare them to your experience at Middlebury?
I have had the privilege over the years to study a number of languages intensively. I would have to say that the technical classroom rigor was comparable to many classes I’ve taken (in a good way). However, the immersive spoken component is only comparable to language learning I’ve done while living abroad.
The program at Middlebury makes the inaccessible accessible! The way it combines these two aspects of learning makes it truly singular.
Describe your typical day at Middlebury.
7:30 Wake up
8:00 Breakfast and socializing at Ross Dining Hall
9:00-13:00 Grammar and Literature classes with 20-minute break in between.
13:00-14:00 Lunch and socializing at Ross
14:00-17:00 Swim and lift weights at the Fitness Center
17:00-19:00 Homework and flashcards
19:00-20:00 Dinner and socializing at Ross
20:00-22:00 Hang with friends on campus or in town
(Though the schedule seems fairly tight there was still enough time to fit in several clubs throughout the week: Film, Rap, D&D etc.)
22:00-23:30 Do more flashcards and revisit any challenging concepts from the day’s lesson.
After this, I would watch a show in German or read a German book until it was way too late, and then sleep!