Russian

Russian SLI 2026 - In Person 

Russian is again emerging (after a lull in the last decade of the twentieth century) as a language of importance in the arena of international politics and business/commerce. It has never ceased to be such a language in the world of literature and culture. At the Russian Summer Language Institute, we’ll cover all the fundamentals of grammar necessary to meet the demands of language use and communication in everyday life, including conversing (speaking and listening) and reading, the latter essential for newspapers, completing forms, etc. We’ll also introduce you to Russian history and culture (music, literature, film), as well as pop culture. 

Pedagogy and Philosophy 

We describe our program as intensive and accelerated. Our goal is to cover the fundamentals of Russian spelling, sound, and grammar, which are needed for speaking in simple and complex sentences on a variety of topics and for reading in the original. About speaking/listening, we aim for Intermediate-mid on the ACTFL Scale. About grammar/reading, we aim for the ability to read and translate (with a dictionary) expository prose of the type occurring in everyday documents (announcements, advertisements, etc.) as well as in expository prose (newspapers, essays, novels). 

Unique Features of the Program 

The Summer Language Institute offers a comprehensive program that covers the equivalent of two full years of Russian, providing twelve credits to meet the University of Virginia's language requirement. No prior knowledge of Russian is necessary. Upon successful completion of the full eight-week program, students can expect to advance to Third-Year Russian at the University of Virginia or at their respective institutions.

In the summer of 2026, students also have the option to enroll in one of two halves of the program (4 weeks): the first half, which is Intensive Introductory Russian (1016-1026) for six credits, or the second half, Intensive Intermediate Russian (2016-2026), also for six credits. Students can choose the option that best fits their schedule, proficiency level, and learning goals.

If students apply only to the second half of the program, they will receive information about a placement test to take before program acceptance.

This program promotes a supportive peer environment, enabling students to develop their Russian language skills quickly.

What students say about Russian SLI: 

"Thank you again for an incredible experience at the Summer Language Institute...If there's one lesson I took away from the summer, it is confidence; confidence that I can tackle this language, no matter how daunting it seems, if I want it hard enough. And now armed with a strong foundation of grammar, I am more confident than ever."

Required Textbook: 

Robin, Richard M.; Evans-Romaine, Karen; Shatalina, Galina. Golosa: A Basic Course in Russian – edition TBD. Pearson, 2011 

Program Structure  

The Russian Summer Language Institute meets five days a week with two different instructors. Attendance is required for both morning and afternoon sessions.

Daily Schedule:

Morning 8:30-11:30 - Monday through Friday - Students work on grammar, reading, and listening skills with the primary instructor.

Afternoon 12:30-3:30 - Monday through Friday - Students focus on speaking, conversation, writing, and additional grammar and listening practice.

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.

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 Slavic Languages and Literatures