Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy Offers Chinese Immersion Summer Programs at Select U.S. College Campuses

MIDDLEBURY, Vt., May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA) will soon open its Chinese Academy, full immersion Chinese residency programs for middle and high school students, this summer. The programs, taking place from June 26 to July 23, will offer a unique alternative to studying abroad for students interested in learning more about the Chinese language and culture in an engaging college environment. This unique MMLA immersion process usually helps students advance one year of study in just four weeks, and helps students gain confidence while forming strong friendships. Enrollment for the Chinese Academy is still open for interested students at the following carefully selected college locations:

• Oberlin College; Oberlin, Ohio
• Pomona College; Claremont, Calif.  

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MMLA was founded in 2008 as a collaboration between the Language Schools of Middlebury College and the Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, Calif., a graduate school of Middlebury College. The four-week program provides the experience of living in another culture with the added benefit of staying close to home in a safe and education-focused environment. In addition to Chinese, MMLA is currently offering courses in Arabic, French, German, Italian and Spanish at campuses strategically located across the U.S. Each student will be exposed not only to classroom training in language skills, but also cultural and recreational activities, and will adhere to a strict 'no English' language pledge for four weeks.

"Hosting the MMLA Chinese Academy on such well-respected campuses offers students a unique cultural experience," said Kevin Conroy, Director of the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academies. "With such a huge demand for Chinese language knowledge right now, our programs offer the perfect opportunity to prepare children for the global economy of tomorrow, through immersion, planned field trips and cultural events."

Students who enroll in MMLA's Chinese Academy course will spend more than 240 hours learning and using the language—the equivalent of more than a year in a regular classroom. They will also enjoy MMLA's low national maximum student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1. Last year, approximately 800 students participated in MMLA at campuses across the country, under the guidance of nearly 300 faculty and staff members.

For more information on MMLA Chinese Academy and how to apply, please visit:

http://mmla.middlebury.edu/

About Middlebury Interactive Languages

Middlebury Interactive Languages is poised to become the premier academic leader in world language instruction for K-12 students as part of 21st century readiness.  Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL) was formed in spring 2010 as a joint venture between Middlebury College, a top liberal arts college renowned for languages and international studies, and K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for K-12 students. All working within rigorous academic teaching methods and ACTFL standards, MIL programs include powerspeaK12, accredited world language online courses for grades 3-12; MiddWorld Online, a virtual academy for high school students offering the most immersive product in the market today; Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, a full-immersion residency program on college campuses; Avant STAMP assessment; and MIL Professional Development.

SOURCE Middlebury Interactive Languages