French

French SLI 2027 - In Person

The Department of French at the University of Virginia is pleased to offer its Summer Language Institute.

The French SLI offers an immersive 4- or 8-week experience in the French language and cultures. Students who successfully complete the full program (8 weeks) receive 12 credits of beginning and intermediate French—FREN 1016, 1026, 2016, and 2026—equivalent to two years of coursework in a single summer. Depending on their availability, students can also attend only half of the program: the first 4 weeks (elementary level) or the last 4 weeks (intermediate level).  

Pedagogy and Philosophy

In this course, you’ll practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing in dynamic and supportive ways—always with room for play, reflection, and creativity.

Each unit invites you to dive into real-world themes, create projects with your classmates, and take part in “missions” that build your communication skills. Grammar and vocabulary are introduced in context, reinforced through spiral learning, and practiced through integrated oral and written activities.

Emphasis is placed on working in teams, developing communication strategies, and building learner autonomy.

By the end of the course, you will be able to connect with others in French and see the world a little differently.

What students say about French SLI:

My instructors were all fantastic [...] possibly some of my favourite language professors I've ever had. They created an environment where I felt encouraged and confident to practice my language, even when at the start I sounded like a toddler stringing together his first words. These are the kinds of people you want directing a language course; the kind who are patient, encouraging, and conversational. They are [...] interesting people, and equally so interested in me and my academic success. I hardly think I’d have had as good a time with the French program with anyone else.

I enjoyed the class. It was not easy, but it was a gratifying challenge. I learned more in just a few weeks than I have in years of other classes.

SLI is a strong and very efficient language acquisition program that I would strongly recommend to everyone.

The strength of the program is the professors. They were incredible.

Required Textbook: 

• First Half - June 14 - July 9
  • L’Atelier+ A1 — Livre
  • L’Atelier+ A1 — Cahier
• Second Half - July 12 - August 5
  • L’Atelier+ A2 — Livre
  • L’Atelier+ A2 — Cahier
• Full program - June 14 - August 5- L'Atelier A1 and L'Atelier A2 - Livre and Cahier

Daily Schedule: 

The program meets five days a week for eight weeks. Attendance is mandatory for all daily sessions.

Morning 9:30 - 12:00 - Monday through Friday

Afternoon 1:30 - 4:00 - Monday through Thursday; no Friday afternoon class.

Check all the available options before applying. 

Students are strongly encouraged to register for the full 8-week program and complete the intermediate level. The option to apply for the first or second half is also available. The table below provides information on the available options

2027 Costs

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

• Institute Fee - non-refundable: $90
• Comprehensive Fee: $516 (In-State) - $576 (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 about housing and meal plans, please refer to the following resources:

• For housing information and costs, visit UVA Summer Session Housing.
• For meal plan options and pricing, visit UVA Dining Meal Plans.

Contact Information: 

Department of French Language and Literature