| by Seth Joyner
Fifteen years after arriving in Daegu, the Korean language remains central to School of Korean alum Seth Joyner’s professional (and personal) identity. He continues to study, to practice, and to learn.
Why learn a language?
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Share your “Why [your language]?” moment in your own post!
We met during the opening week of our first summer at the Middlebury Spanish School’s Graduate Program in 2022.
| by Nicole Karlis
Thor Sawin, the associate dean of curriculum for Middlebury Language Schools, said he believes there is a place for AI when learning a new language, but that place is small. Hypothetically, chatbots can be used to practice a conversation that a person knows they will have in advance. However, if a person is exclusively learning Italian with an AI chatbot and never transitions to practicing with a real human—or the transition takes too long—it can have negative effects on learning and leave a person feeling “unprepared” for real-world interactions.
| by Sydney Michael
“What are your plans for after JET?” Many JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program) alums can recall the confusion and “now what?” feeling after deciding not to renew their contracts or hitting the maximum number of years on the program. When I found Middlebury’s hybrid MA program in Japanese Language and Culture, I knew it was perfect for me.
“Who better to ask about learning languages than someone from what is widely regarded as the finest language school in the world?”
Middlebury Language Schools has a reputation for being one of the top institutions to learn a language. The Vermont school offers total immersion programmes over summer and each year more than 1400 students arrive to learn one of 13 languages. Middlebury’s Associate Dean of Curriculum at the Language Schools, Dr. Thor Sawin joins Emile to discuss why language learning there is so successful.
| by Luke Power
Over the summer, long-planned renovations to the first year residence Stewart Hall began. The renovations will update aging facilities in the dormitory as well as support Middlebury’s Energy2028 initiative by installing an energy-efficient geothermal HVAC system.
Abdul Aziz, a Public Service employee from Australia, is a lover of languages. He attended our 8-week Arabic immersion program where, thanks to caring colleagues and mentors, he was able to become comfortable conversing about a variety of topics.
“Middlebury didn’t just teach me Spanish. It gave me connection, courage, and a renewed sense of possibility. Learning has no age limits - and this journey became a gift to myself, my family, and my future grandson.”
Jeanne Engelkemeir, a French and English teacher in West Allis, Wisconsin, attended our 7-week French immersion program to further strengthen her language skills. Jeanne was so impressed with the richness and excellence of the program as well as its faculty and staff that she hopes to return to the School of French to earn her fourth master’s degree.
