"If you're considering learning Italian, Middlebury's Italian School is particularly well regarded."

"Many students emerge from one summer able to communicate at a level that would typically require much longer in a conventional classroom."

Middlebury College at Zingari

GROUP EVENT FORM

Wonderful reception in the Artist Room with the Aperitivo Bar for Middlebury College Language Schools and Schools Abroad alumni, with Stephen Snyder, Dean of the Middlebury Language Schools and Kawashima Professor of Japanese Studies.  It was an elegant cocktail and Italian wine reception with passed Italian tapas for 40 guests.  It was an early evening reception so we had wonderful natural light through the bay windows of the Aperitivo Bar.

About Middlebury College Language Schools:

Middlebury College Language Schools are among the most respected and intensive language immersion programs in the United States. Operated by Middlebury College, they have been teaching languages since 1915 and are widely known for helping students achieve dramatic gains in fluency over a single summer.

What makes them unique? The hallmark of the program is the Language Pledge®. Students agree to speak, read, write, and communicate only in the language they are studying for the entire duration of the program—even during meals, social activities, and in their residence halls. This creates a true 24/7 immersion environment that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Languages offered.  Middlebury offers immersion programs in:

• Abenaki
• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• German
• Hebrew
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Spanish

Many languages also offer master's degrees and other graduate programs. 

Who attends?  Students range from:

• College students
• Working professionals
• Government employees
• Teachers
• Military personnel
• Diplomats
• Retirees

Participants range from recent high school graduates to adults in their 80s, all united by a desire to become highly proficient in another language. 

How intensive is it? Very intensive. A typical summer program lasts 7–8 weeks and is roughly equivalent to an entire academic year of university language study. Students live on campus, attend classes daily, complete substantial homework, and participate in cultural events conducted entirely in the target language.

Reputation.  Middlebury has an exceptional reputation for language education. It is especially well known among:

• U.S. diplomats
• Foreign Service officers
• Intelligence professionals
• International business leaders
• Translators and interpreters
• Language educators

Its immersive approach is frequently cited as one of the most effective language-learning models in the country. 

Is it worth it? For someone who is serious about achieving real conversational fluency, many alumni consider it one of the best language investments available. The program is academically demanding and can feel exhausting because there is essentially no "break" from the language, but that intensity is also what makes it so effective. Community discussions from alumni consistently describe major improvements in speaking confidence and fluency after a single summer.

If you're considering learning Italian, Middlebury's Italian School is particularly well regarded. Many students emerge from one summer able to communicate at a level that would typically require much longer in a conventional classroom.