Languages & FAQs

We welcome students from all walks of life (ages 18 to 80+) and all parts of the world who show the potential and desire to succeed. Applicants should be high school graduates, but can be high school seniors at the time they apply. Students, faculty, and staff live in dormitories and have meals together in dining halls, organized by language. This helps create a high-quality immersion experience for all.

High school students interested in Abenaki, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, and Russian (4-week Russian Heritage) can reach out to their School’s Assistant Director for details on the application process.

How fast you learn a language will depend on the time and effort you devote to it and your personal skills. Some people can learn a second language faster than others.

Our summer Immersion Programs represent a great way to learn a language in a short period of time. By taking the Language Pledge and communicating only in the language you are learning (both in class and outside of class), you can dramatically improve your proficiency in only one summer.

For our Immersion Programs, most of them are either 7 or 8-weeks depending on the language. Abenaki, Hebrew, and Russian offer shorter options.

Yes, about 18% of our students are complete beginners. When submitting your application, select “Level 1”.

No, about 70% of our students are not undergraduate students. Please see more information about the Student Profile of Middlebury Language Schools. 

Read more about Students aged 65-plus learn new languages at Midd and Advice from 74-year-old Language Schools Student.

Yes, Middlebury Languages Schools offers master’s programs as well as a Doctor in Modern Languages in various flexible formats with many specialization options. Pick the language you are interested in and then “Graduate Program.” All thirteen languages have graduate programs except Abenaki, English, and Portuguese. Our French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish graduate programs have options abroad.

Total immersion in the Language Schools is based on being in residence seven days a week. Students, faculty, and staff live 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.  

Language Classes are held Monday through Friday, but students should come prepared to remain on campus and work several hours each day, including weekends, and to interact with other students outside of class, which is a vital part of the curriculum. The Language Schools’ co-curricular program is an integral part of the total immersion approach. Students need to participate as fully as possible in the cultural activities planned by each School and are encouraged to make use of the athletic and cultural facilities on campus.

Admitted students complete a questionnaire about study habits and lifestyle preferences in order to be appropriately matched with a roommate, hall-mates, or suite-mates. We are not able to offer family housing for students with a partner/spouse or children. Dorms are also not set up to accommodate overnight guests or pets other than approved service animals.

Please see more about Housing and Dining.

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.

Students earn 12-credits (4 classes) for the 8-week programs, and 9-credits (3 classes) for the 7-week programs. Students receive an official transcript from Middlebury College with grades.

Abenaki

• 2-week Immersion Program

Hebrew

• 3-week Immersion Program

Russian

• 4-week Refresher Course (Online)
• 4-week Advanced Course (Online)
• 4-week Heritage Program

Graduate Programs

• 6-week non-degree graduate option (graduate programs are offered in 10 languages)

Please see full list of our Immersion Programs and Graduate Programs.

Yes, please see the requirements and deadlines for scholarship opportunities for Immersion Students and Graduate Students.

For Immersion Programs, financial aid does not cover full tuition, housing, and food to attend, but can cover a portion of the costs.

For Graduate Programs, financial aid can cover up to full tuition, housing, and food to attend for the summer and online options.

In order to apply to financial aid and scholarships, you must first submit your Language Schools application, and then you will receive two emails containing the links for applying to these opportunities. Financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, while scholarships have deadlines.

Yes, our programs are approved by the VA. We welcome both veterans and active duty to the Middlebury Language Schools. 

Depending upon your eligibility, remaining benefits, enrollment, and whether you have already met the VA annual tuition cap for private schools for the current academic year (August 1-July 31), the VA should cover your tuition. Tuition payments are sent directly from the VA to Middlebury.

For more details, please see our Veterans webpage, which includes Frequently Asked Questions.

Please see more information on the application process on our Admissions web pages. The requirements are different for our Immersion Programs and our Graduate Programs. Note the recommendation is a quick form with several questions, rather than a letter.

The immersion programs require 1 recommendation form, while the graduate programs require 3 recommendation forms. The recommendation should be from a language or other academic subject instructor, or a supervisor or colleague who can speak about your motivation for learning a language, and your ability to manage the challenge of an intensive, immersive learning program.

Once you enter your recommender’s name and email, they will receive an email from Language Schools Admissions containing a link to the form.