Middlebury Language Schools to begin 109th Summer
June 23 marks the first student arrival day for the Middlebury Language Schools, known internationally for their full immersion approach to language teaching.
This summer the Language Schools will welcome over 1,500 students and 300 faculty and staff to the campuses of Middlebury College, Bennington College, and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS).
Languages offered include Abenaki, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish from beginner to graduate level. Arabic, Italian, and Portuguese are on the Bennington College campus, English on the MIIS campus, and the remaining nine Schools are on the Middlebury College campus.
Students will bring a wide range of experiences with them this summer. A husband and wife are enrolling in the Chinese School to help with their work at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. A student in the Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian is a two-time Olympic athlete in biathlon. A student in the School of Hebrew is a voice actor for television commercials and movie trailers. A journalist in Texas wants to improve his Spanish for news articles about the immigration system. A student in the Arabic School is currently working on NGO coordination across Iraq.
This summer, we will be thinking about the role of generative AI in language teaching and learning—just as we were among the first to build an earlier, radical technology: the language lab.
Four Language Schools will welcome new directors. Kelley Calvert is director of the English Language School; Donato Santeramo is director of the Italian School; Yaron Perleg and Elizabeth Gerner are co-directors of the School of Hebrew; and Luis Gonçalves is director of the Portuguese School.
“The Language Schools remain as relevant as ever,” said Steve Snyder, dean of Language Schools. “Every student, from beginners to doctoral candidates, believes in the power of the Language Pledge. Our programs accelerate learning and give students the skills they need to be global citizens.
“This summer, we will be thinking about the role of generative AI in language teaching and learning—just as we were among the first to build an earlier, radical technology: the language lab. For the past century and the next one, our students come because they know that the power of community and our extraordinary teachers are the truly transformative elements in a Language Schools summer.”
Language Schools students will live, learn, and interact in the language they have come to study and sign the Language Pledge®, a formal commitment designed by Middlebury to speak the language of study for the entire summer session. The Language Schools will also host virtual and in-person events that are open to alumni and the public.
Since 1915, more than 50,000 students from all walks of life—including more than 12,000 advanced degree holders—have attended one or more of the Language Schools.
Events open to the public can be found on the event list, which will continue to be updated throughout the summer. More information about the Middlebury Language Schools can be found on our website or by contacting the Language Schools at 802-443-5510.