Summer Intensive Language Program Students Begin their Language Learning Journey

Kicking off a summer tradition as old as the Middlebury Institute—which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year—students convened in Monterey this week for orientation activities for the 2015 Summer Intensive Language Program, or SILP. This year the program welcomes 120 students hailing from 84 undergraduate and graduate programs to study Chinese, French, Arabic, Russian or Spanish for eight weeks. Students will improve their language skills and cultural understanding with the help of 15 faculty members from 11 different countries, as well as staff members who have planned a number of cultural outings and events as part of the program.

“SILP is off to a great start!” says Middlebury Institute professor Jason Martel, associate director of the program. “Students have arrived and taken their placement tests and there is a true feeling of excitement. The faculty and staff are looking forward to doing what they do best—that is, implementing practices aimed at maximizing students’ language learning.”

Orientation activities on June 11-12 included community-building activities and events designed to introduce participants to the Monterey area and all it has to offer. Classes begin on Monday and for close to half of the group those classes will be the first of many to come at the Middlebury Institute for they will be embarking on another journey of discovery in the fall when they start working on their graduate degree program.