Middlebury Language Schools

The most surprising and gratifying aspect of the Middlebury Language Schools is experiencing the rapid language gains. I never knew that I could see so much improvement in my Korean ability in such a short period of time. To all the prospective students reading this who are still on the fence about attending the program this summer, I encourage you to take that step out of your comfort zone and embark on a wonderful educational experience. If your true desire is to immerse yourself in and learn a new language, I think Middlebury is the best place to accomplish that goal.

Middlebury was the most diverse learning environment I’ve ever had the privilege to be in and will probably ever experience. Students from all walks of life, all deeply invested in a shared objective to learn about French language and francophone cultures, studying together for almost two months is truly once in a lifetime (unless you choose to come back)! And it really works--Middlebury’s language pledge was so effective for me that I actually struggled to switch back to English when I returned home!

If and when you attend the Middlebury Language Schools, you will be transported to a uniquely cosmopolitan college town, if only for two months, in the wonderful Town of Middlebury, during the glorious Vermont summer. The professors are world-class. The composition of the student body is as diverse as humanly possible. There is an interesting blend of old and young, and everyone in between, and that creates its own dynamic that benefits everyone in some regard through shared experiences in school. The curriculum is challenging. The co-curricular activities enhance the learning experience in a fun and inspirational way. Folks leave their comfort zones and learn to sing, dance, communicate, and write in wonderful languages. We learned how to say "hello" in eight languages in the first week in honor of the language pledge. The reward of a smile from your fellow students in other language programs was rewarded when they were addressed in their chosen language. Gutentag. Bonjour. Arrigato. Ni hao ma! (?). Shalom. How fun! The grand play, Ël Espectaculo, was rich, fun, and showed tremendous dedication from the students and our Doña, the producer and director. Edie Koch stole the show. The assembled cast delivered a performance worthy of off-Broadway. Everyone gave it their all. It was fun. It was simply divine. Smiles ruled the night. The same sentiments go to the producers of the cabaret. Havi danced with a grace that blessed us all. Just grand in every way! The architecture of the campus buildings set against the backdrop of the mountains is spectacular. Sunsets are social events. The food is great, and there are a few nice options in town or in Burlington, a short drive up the highway. I am completely biased in favor of the school and the language programs. My experience there was life-changing, challenging, and simply brilliant in every way. It was the best educational experience I have ever had, and I have attended five schools while pursuing multiple degrees. The class sizes make every student special, and the individual instruction provided by the tutors after hours was superb. This was the toughest and most rewarding educational pursuit I ever engaged in over the course of 45 years of college studies. I am forever grateful to Molly Baker, Havi-Forgit Johansen, Isa Paloma, Juan Manuel Menjivar, Caleb, Jacobo, and staff, and everyone involved in making this program so worthwhile. It is, hands down, the best place in the world to learn a language. I hope to return to the Middlebury Language School in the summer of 2026 for the French School. Warmest Regards, Pat Culver

I was drawn to Middlebury’s School of Russian for its uncompromising approach. The Language Pledge turns everyday life into a challenge—demanding that students not only study Russian but live it. That challenge, reinforced by a community of equally committed peers, was exactly what I was searching for. I was equally motivated by the School’s history. Founded just after WWII, it trained generations of students throughout the Cold War, and that legacy signaled to me that this program has been refined and perfected over decades. What surprised me most was the sense of camaraderie. Advanced students went out of their way to include those in lower levels, turning every interaction into an opportunity for growth. Rather than creating pressure or hierarchy, the program fostered a culture where everyone’s progress mattered, and rigor came with encouragement.

Middlebury is, hands down, the best place to learn a language in the United States, and perhaps in the world. I spent two summers there learning French, and they were among the best in my life. They took me from not speaking a word of French to conversational in a single summer, and I'd wager to say that holds for the majority of participants. I went as a professional adult, but the school caters to all ages, from college students, to mid-career soldiers and NGO workers, artists, academics, international students, teachers, retirees, and anyone in-between. From my perspective, pretty much everyone can find a place to fit in. Their unique system, where students live, study, and recreate on campus *in-language only* is really the only way to become proficient in such a short period of time. I promise you, it is possible, even for complete beginners. I have had a lot of language classes in my life, of varying quality, and the instructors at staff at Middlebury are exceptional. The program is difficult (don't expect a vacation) but immensely fun and filled with fascinating people from all walks of life and all over the world. You would have to try hard *not* to make friends, as one of the greatest assignments is to simply talk to others informally. At Middlebury, I met some of the finest people I've ever met, and many are still friends to this day. I hope to go back. If you want, or need, to learn a language, highly recommended. There's really no better place to do this.

The Middlebury Italian School for me has become like family. It is a place of warmth, joy, and social engagement. I started as Level 3 in the 7-week program, where my language skills skyrocketed and I made lifelong friendships with other students and deep connections with professors. There were many social events, like trivia, limoncello making, classical music concerts, and dance parties that helped me develop strong bonds with other members of the community. Even if there wasn’t a social event scheduled that night, I could always find other classmates playing cards or doing puzzles in the common area. I participated in the Italian for Singers program, where I studied opera in private lessons and performed in a concert, and that significantly enriched my experience in the program as a music lover, as well as opened doors to make even more friendships with other people passionate about classical music. I loved my experience in Level 3 so much that I decided to pursue my Master of Arts in Italian at Middlebury College. I found the majority of my professors throughout my Level 3 and master’s experience to be very encouraging, kind, and full of humor, assigning coursework that challenged us and expanded our language skills. Overall, the professors want to see you succeed, and they will go to great lengths to support you along the process of navigating a program in a language that is not your mother tongue. The sense of family that I felt in this program is unparalleled by nearly any other academic program I have experienced. That said, I highly recommend the Middlebury Italian School, and I encourage you to join our community of welcoming and brilliant scholars.

Middlebury Language Schools are genuinely the best place in the world to study a language. I improved so much, and Vermont is so beautiful. Couldn't recommend more.