<p>I looked into the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy and it seems very interesting. However, is it selective/hard to get into? Or is it more of a money-making camp? Is it worthwhile?
Also, is this recognized as a prestigious program by most colleges? I know I shouldn't focus on this, and I'm not, but it can't help :)</p>
MMLA is not too selective, I don’t think, for there aren’t that many kids who apply. The application process is relatively simple; you simply have to write a brief essay (100-200 words) concerning why you’d like to go. When I went, there were many people in the Chinese Academy and Spanish Academy, not as many in the French Academy, and hardly any in the German Academy. If you go for German, I assume you’d get more individualized instruction and progress more rapidly. I went for French in the summer before my freshman year, and I got a lot of good practice in speaking. However, the teachers do not teach you any grammar, or at least they didn’t for me (I was in the highest level of French). So grammar’s up to the student during his/her free time. This was frustrating to me. The classes are mainly focused on culture, skits, and projects. You do not read books in your target language (also frustrating). In addition, there was not really any homework, and I honestly wish there had been some so that I could have improved on vocabulary and grammar. There were also quite a few people, not just in the French Academy, but in all of the Academies, that would break the language pledge and talk in English on a daily basis. One should also note that although the R.A.'s attempted to enforce the Pledge, they would pick and choose their fights. Thus, it’s really up to the student to maintain the pledge at all times.
It’s really what you make of it. If you go, find people that are really into the language and intent on learning. Forging a friendship is key so that you have someone to talk with. When I went, I didn’t really have any friends, and I think I missed out on a lot of learning because of this. If possible, go with a friend who’s into languages or picks up on languages quickly. Stay away from any English speakers!
I think it’s worthwhile, all in all. If you go, take a textbook, a book in the language, and a dictionary, so that you can improve on grammar, vocabulary, and reading if you ever are on your own. I think it would be more worthwhile to go to one of MMLA’s abroad programs, though, like the one in Spain. Then, I assume, you’d hear more native speakers, and there would only be one language, rather than two to four grouped in the same campus. Plus you’d get more of a feel for the country’s culture, and you’d be staying at a university (possibly more challenging classes?).
I also want to say that you’d probably have more luck if you went for a language you’d never studied before. That’s just my own feeling. I went in pretty advanced, and there were a lot of people who were below me that I feel got more out of it.
As to whether it is recognized as a prestigious program by most colleges, I do not know. I assume that there is a moderate level of value to it, depending on what language you go for. If you go for a number of summers for different languages and you are reasonably proficient in all of them by the time you apply for college, I think that would look pretty darn good. And colleges like passion, so if you’re passionate about language, then I’m sure they’d like that as well.
Hello jugglingowl! The Academy does require grades and a short-essay for admission into the program and typically attracts students who are really passionate about language learning. In terms of is it worth it, students gain on average about a year’s worth of language growth in the four weeks but it really depends on how serious students are about taking the Language Pledge and living immersed in language.
They put much more effort into recruiting students at MMLA then anything else. It is a money making operation first, but you can learn there if you commit to it. Best for novice language learners.