The Mission of the summer school
The mission of the Summer Intensive Language Program (SILP) at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey is to provide high-quality, rigorous instruction that prepares students to solve real-word problems using knowledge of a foreign language and cultural awareness. This principal goal is attained by means of a flexible, student-centered curriculum that cultivates critical thinking skills, promotes autonomous learning, and provides ample opportunities for students to use the target language in meaningful, contextualized situations both inside and outside the classroom.
Course Curriculum
The program offers a well-rounded curriculum that allows students to acquire and strengthen reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, develop lexical and cultural knowledge of the target language, and develop fluency through an integrated skills-based and content-based approach to learning.
Classes are in session 4.5 hours per day, from 9:00AM to 12:00PM and 1:00PM to 2:30PM. In addition to the daily in-class work, students should expect 4-5 hours of homework each night. Recommended tutoring sessions and co-curricular activities are also offered each week.
The demanding nature of this program requires students' full commitment, and we strongly discourage participants from working or taking other classes during the course of the program.
Core Component
The three morning hours make up the Core Component, in which students focus on structural and lexical acquisition and competency through communicative student-centered tasks. The core component is supported by a textbook to help students follow the course curriculum and to strengthen their skills through self-study out of class. Supplemental materials accompany the text to provide varied and interesting course content.
Fluency Component
The afternoon sessions make up the Fluency Component, which offers the student a topic-driven approach to learning aimed at improving fluency. Content areas relevant to the target culture are introduced as a means to promote discussion and stimulate project-based learning at all levels. Textbooks are not used in the Fluency Component, but rather a variety of authentic real-life resources are employed to encourage a holistic understanding of the target language and culture. Critical thinking in the target language is especially emphasized in this part of the curriculum.
Language Specific Information
For more information about each of the programs offered, please visit the language-specific pages linked in the right side bar of this page.
Life after a Summer of Language in Monterey
We believe that the true measure of our success lies in the number of students who continue studying their target language after they graduate from our summer program.
Participants use the language skills acquired during their summer study in a number of ways:
Return for additional study in a graduate degree program at the Institute
Study or travel abroad to deepen understanding of language and culture
Use the language to advance professionally
Fulfill language requirements at other educational institutions
The programs are available for
- Arabic
- Chinese
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
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Does the Institute have on-campus housing or dormitories for SILP students?
The Institute does not have on-campus housing or dormitories available for students. This can cause some dismay for Summer Intensive Language Program (SILP) participants, but not to worry! There are several options available for summer housing.
Option 1: Summer sublet
Many of the Master’s degree candidates spend their summers traveling, completing internships, or working for organizations related to their program and sublet their apartments or rooms during that time.
Option 2: MIIS Housing Website
The Institute now maintains an Off-Campus housing website for all of its enrolled students. There are many local property owners who list their apartments, studios, and rooms-for-rent with the Institute. Due to the nature of housing at MIIS and the landlords’ familiarity with the flow of our student body there is typically a good assortment of short-term rentals available in the summer.
Option 3: Hotel Accommodations
Another option for summer students is to arrange hotel accommodations for the duration of your stay in Monterey. There is a list of hotels that have accommodated MIIS students during the summer months with special rates for extended stays available on the website. Some good hotels/inns to start with are the Vagabond Inn, Howard Johnson Express, and El Adobe Inn. Please see the website for the complete list.
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What application materials do I have to submit?
You will need to submit the completed application with the accompanying $50 application fee, academic transcript(s), and complete an online preliminary placement test. Instructions and links for completing the preliminary placement test will be emailed to applicants within 2-3 business days of submitting the online application. Your application packet is complete only after submitting the online preliminary placement test.
Please note that the summer program application is separate from the graduate school application and must be completed and turned in by all SILP participants. Incoming MIIS students complete a separate MIIS Student Form to waive the $50 application fee. Please visit our Apply page to learn more.
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Is financial aid available?
Many of the program participants apply for alternative education loans through our Office of Student Financial Planning in order to cover program cost and other expenses. Federal student loans are only available to those MIIS students required to take the summer program as part of a prerequisite to their graduate program. Further information is available by contacting the Financial Aid Office directly at finaid@miis.edu or by phone at 831-647-4119.
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.miis.edu/academics/language/programs/summer/languagedescriptions