Summer Language Institute 2026

A Tradition of Excellence in Language Learning since 1981
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00:00

An image of a shaded walkway lined with trees and blooming flowers on the University of Virginia campus. Large white text on the left reads “This is SLI! @UVA.” On the right is a circular logo for the Summer Language Institute with an orange outer ring and the words “Summer Language Institute” inside.

00:03

An image of black‑and‑white dog walks along a brick path on the University of Virginia Lawn, carrying an orange ball in its mouth. The Rotunda is visible in the background. Above the photo, large pink and purple block letters spell out “START.”

00:06

A collage of four classroom scenes shows students participating in various learning activities—listening to a lecture, taking notes, and working together at a chalkboard. In the center, a beige shape contains the text “It’s Time to Learn.”

00:09

Two circular photos show students studying outdoors on the University of Virginia Lawn. The left photo features two students sitting on the grass with notebooks and a laptop. The right photo shows several small groups of students seated under large trees with UVA’s historic buildings visible in the background.

00:11

Graphic promoting a SnackFest event for the UVA Summer Language Institute. Large cut‑out letters spelling “SNACK” are filled with photos of students socializing, snacks on tables, and colorful classroom materials. The word “SnackFest” appears in bold text at the bottom. On the right, the phrase “It’s Time to Connect” is displayed.

00:14

A collage of three photos shows students gathered in a classroom for a group activity. In the top-left image, several students sit around a table playing a board game. The large photo on the right shows a lively classroom with students standing and sitting at high tables, talking and working on activities. The bottom-left image shows two students sitting at a table with cards laid out in front of them.

00:17

Three colorful collage artworks are displayed side‑by‑side on a wall, each combining images, text, and drawings related to language and culture. Above the collages, the title “Language and Art” appears in bold blue text.

00:20

A collage of three photos from a visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The left photo shows three people standing together in the museum’s atrium with colorful wall art behind them. The center photo features a group of people standing inside an ornate gallery framed by carved arches. The right photo shows visitors observing a framed painting in a dimly lit gallery with dark green walls.

00:25

A collage of three photos from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The left photo shows a classical marble statue of a Roman figure in a toga stands inside a museum, beneath a partial inscription reading "WOOD AND LOUISE B. COCHR." The center photo features an outdoor sculpture garden features a large white head with closed eyes near a pond, with a smaller bronze figure reaching upward in front of it, surrounded by lush greenery. The right photo shows a museum tour group, including a person in a wheelchair, listens to a guide gesturing toward a colorful abstract painting on the wall.

00:30

A black‑and‑white dog walks along a brick path on the University of Virginia Lawn while carrying an orange ball in its mouth. The Rotunda is visible in the background. Text on the left side reads “4 more weeks to go,”

00:33

A video pans through a hallway and enters a classroom-style teaching kitchen at the University of Virginia, where students sit at high tables listening to an instructor at the front of the room. Large blue text on the left reads “Teaching Kitchen @UVA,” and text on the right reads “Language, Culture, and Culinary Skills.”

00:44

An instructor in a teaching kitchen leads a small group of students gathered around a stainless‑steel workstation. Pots, bowls, and ingredients are arranged on the counter as the class discusses a cooking technique. On the left side of the graphic, text reads: “Melanie Brede — Senior Nutrition Educator, Student Health and Wellness.”

00:47

Two circular photos show students wearing matching white T‑shirts with the UVA Summer Language Institute logo. The left photo shows a group standing with their backs to the camera, displaying the design on their shirts. The right photo shows three students standing together in a lounge area. At the top of the graphic, the text reads “almost the end…”

00:50

Two photos show students participating in a Chinese calligraphy class. The left photo shows a student practicing brush strokes on a calligraphy practice sheet. The right photo shows a group gathered around a long sheet of calligraphy paper as they write characters together. Text at the top right reads “Chinese SLI Calligraphy Class.”

00:53

Two photos show students sitting at desktop computers in a classroom while taking language assessment tests. The left photo is labeled “Avant,” and the right photo is labeled “OPIc.”

00:56

A black‑and‑white dog lies on the grass at the University of Virginia Lawn with an orange ball in front of it. The Rotunda is visible in the background. Large blue text above the dog reads “THE END.”

Explore Our Summer 2026 Language Programs

People studying Arabic

Arabic

Level 2 - Online Synchronous

People studying Chinese

Chinese

Level 1 and Level 2 - In Person

People studying French

French

In Person

People studying German

German

In Person

Three images capture students cooking, playing games, and taking pictures outside the classroom.

Italian

In Person

People studying Latin

Latin

In Person

People studying Russian

Russian

In Person

People studying Spanish

Spanish

In Person

The Summer Language Institute (SLI) offers rapid language acquisition programs with four or eight-week courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, Russian, and Spanish.

Whether you are preparing to study abroad, conduct graduate research, pursue an international career, or explore a new language and culture, the SLI welcomes you this summer! This unique program in the U.S. allows students to complete up to two years of language study in just 8 weeks.

Summer 2026 dates:

  • June 15 - August 7: 8-week program - Full Program
  • June 15 - July 11: 4-week program - First Half
  • July 13 - August 7: 4-week program - Second Half

Registration Dates 

  • December 1, 2025: Application Open
  • March 27, 2026: Application Deadline. After this date, please check each language program’s webpage. Deadlines may be extended for programs that can still accommodate additional students.

Language Proficiency Certification

f

Eligibility

See if you can join this intensive language program.

ee

Program Fees

Tuition, Institute Fee, and Comprehensive Fee.

y

Application Timeline

Dec 1st - March 27

SLI Frequently Asked Questions

SLI Frequently Asked Questions

SLI: Apply

Start the Application Today

Comments from Past Participants 

  • "It's a great program, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to take part." 
  • "Great course! I felt that it was very strong both in grammar and in culture. Thank you." 
  • "Great professors, great focus, content taught was important and very relevant to both further study and/or career application."

For questions about the Summer Language Institute, please contact:

Vera Abbate photo

Vera Abbate, PhD

Summer Language Institute Director

Schedule a Virtual Meeting Today

Book an online meeting with the SLI director, Vera Abbate, to learn more.