Chinese

Chinese SLI 2026 - In Person

Whether you’re planning overseas travel, exploring China’s rich history and culture, conducting graduate research, or preparing for a career in international affairs, the Chinese Summer Language Institute will help you acquire the linguistic and cultural knowledge you need to succeed.  

Chinese SLI participants earn the equivalent of two semesters (8 credits) of Chinese in an accelerated and supportive environment. This summer we will be offering instruction in Level 1 (introductory) Chinese and Level 2 (intermediate). Upon successful completion of Chinese SLI level 1, students will be well prepared to enter a rigorous 200-level course offered at UVA or another university. Upon successful completion of Chinese SLI level 2, students will be well prepared to enter a rigorous 300-level course offered at UVA or another university. Undergraduates, graduate students, professionals, and rising junior and senior high school students are welcome to apply. 

Pedagogy and Philosophy

Our summer near-immersion Chinese program is designed to give students a highly engaging, student-centered environment where they can develop practical communication skills. From the first day, students are encouraged to speak, participate, and interact with both classmates and native speakers in activities that mirror real-life situations. This approach helps students gain confidence quickly and experience Chinese as a living language rather than a set of memorized forms. 

The program emphasizes the development of students’ communicative competence, enabling them to use the language clearly, appropriately, and effectively across a range of contexts. Cultural understanding is integrated throughout the curriculum, allowing students to acquire the social and cultural norms that shape language use. As a result, students gain not only strong linguistic abilities but also the cultural awareness necessary for respectful and effective communication in diverse settings. 

We also focus on building long-term learning skills. Students will practice strategies that help them study independently, recognize patterns, and continue exploring the language outside the classroom. These habits allow them to keep learning even after the program ends and set the foundation for becoming self-directed, life-long learners of Chinese. 

Over the years, students who, upon completion of the Chinese SLI, have taken the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) OPIc (Oral Proficiency Interview by computer) and achieved results that meet the benchmark standards of the Project GO or Flagship initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office.  

Unique Features of the Program

Through intensive, proficiency-based instruction and sustained exposure to culturally authentic contexts, students in the Chinese SLI acquire a substantial body of material within a relatively short period of time. All components of the program are grounded in a communicative, interaction-driven pedagogical philosophy, ensuring both deep cultural immersion and frequent opportunities for authentic engagement with native speakers. 

Within the classroom, students benefit from a highly supportive learning environment, including individualized tutoring sessions offered at least four days per week. These small-group sessions led by native-speaking tutors provide extensive opportunities for students to engage in meaningful discussion related to target lessons and cultural activities.  

Beyond the classroom, they reinforce and extend their learning through community-based activities such as calligraphy, art of tea, cooking competitions, cultural presentations, and guest lectures on contemporary Chinese society. While most community-related programming will be conducted in person, select guest speakers may deliver presentations remotely when appropriate. 

What students say about Chinese SLI: 

"I become much better at listening and speaking this summer, and I am well prepared to continue in Chinese next semester."

"The program is very helpful in preparing students to confront large volumes of language learning material in a short period of time, as well as commit grammar structures and vocabulary to long-term memory. One of the most important parts of the program for me was learning about colloquialisms/traditions in Northern/Southern China and Taiwan, as well as engaging in cultural activities with jointly with the novice and intermediate levels within the Chinese program overall, but otherwise this program was excellent." 

Required Textbook

For level I: Integrated Chinese, 4th Edition, Volume 1 & 2, Textbook and Workbook 

Level II: Integrated Chinese, 3rd or 4th edition, Volume 3 & 4, Textbook and Workbook 

Daily Schedule

The online Chinese Summer Language Institute will keep a similar structure as above on different online platforms:

Check all the available options below before applying

Students are strongly encouraged to register for the full 8-week program and complete Level 1 (introductory level) or Level 2 (intermediate level). The option to apply for either the first or second half for both levels is also available. The table below provides information on the available options.

2026 Costs

All students in SLI programs (including the non-credit option) must pay:

• Institute Fee - non-refundable: $60
• Comprehensive Fee - non-refundable: $493 (In-State) - $553 (Out-of-State)
• Tuition: Depends on the number of credits for which the student is enrolled. Check tuition costs below the SLI Program Fee, and contact us at vera.abbate@virginia.edu with any questions.

This is not a residential program. For information on housing and meal plans, please refer to the following resources:

• For housing costs, see Summer Session Housing.
• For meal plan options, see Dining.

Contact Information

Department of East Asian Languages, Literatures & Cultures