Organise a Summer intensive language programme

Category of recipe: Internationalisation through pedagogical activities and development of international skills (curriculum).

Objective: Attracting International students / diversify the student body; Improving academic quality / offer.

Short description: Organise a short-term local language programme designed primarily for people wishing to rapidly develop their local language skills and deepen their knowledge of the language while integrating into the local environment.

Academic recognition: At a minimum a certificate of attendance, and if validated, this course must earn ECTS credits per session to be attractive.

Level of difficulty: Medium

Calendar and time needed: 8 to 12 months before teaching.

Cost summary: €€€

Language and level required for students:
The aim being to attract students who want to learn your local language, you must set the appropriate level requested in your local language.
Therefore, if the goal is to attract students for an exchange or as Freemovers, a B1-B2 level is ideal. If it's just to introduce them to your country and university for future enrolment, a beginner level is enough.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Programme Coordinator: Manages the day-to-day planning and execution of the summer school programme.
Academic Lead: Coordinates the pedagogical aspects.
Language Teacher(s): Deliver the language instruction (may be the same as the Academic Lead).
Receiving Institution Support: Provides administrative, communication, housing, and other logistical support (managed by one or more designated colleagues).

Ingredients:
Vision and objectives: 2 cups of clear academic and cultural goals.
An enthusiastic team of at least 3 persons highly motivated to organise a summer school in your faculty.
At least 1 language teacher.
A pinch of rigorous, innovative curriculum.
Target audience: A clear profile of international students with a group interested in your programme.
1 or 2 time slots of 3 weeks each during summer (before the summer closing of your institution).
Cultural activities: A dollop of local immersion experiences.
Collaborations: Partnerships with universities or other partners (2–3 strong ones recommended).
Budget: 1 well-prepared financial plan (includes tuition, scholarships, and logistics).
Marketing strategy: 1 robust mix of social media campaigns, international fairs, and email outreach.

Recipe steps:
Step 1: Define the language and objectives of your Summer school

Set measurable learning objectives that align with the goals of the programme.

Step 2: Create a Planning Committee

Assemble a team to assist in organising the event. This should include:
A programme coordinator to oversee the entire event.
Administrative assistants to handle logistics and registration.
Subject-matter experts: colleague(s) or external facilitators who will lead sessions.

Step 3: Select the venue and format

Set the dates: 1 or 2 sessions of 3 weeks each, during summer (before the summer closing of your institution). Students may choose to attend just one or both sessions.
Choose a suitable venue: it should be accessible, comfortable, and equipped with the necessary technology (wifi, microphones, projectors).

Step 4: Collaborate with partners

Reach out to international universities for joint teaching efforts or credit transfer agreements.
Secure partnerships with local organisations for site visits and guest lectures.

Step 5: Develop the Programme content

Develop a detailed work plan as well as activities to make sure you reach the goals and meet the needs (identified in step 1)
Organise workshops where participants actively engage in discussions or project-based learning.
Ensure content is dynamic, engaging, and interactive to avoid passive learning.
Prepare materials (slides, handouts, case studies) for each session.

Step 6: Budget and fundings

Create a detailed budget, accounting for academic content, accommodation, meals, and excursions.
Explore funding sources: Erasmus+, external grants, or sponsorships.
Apply to those grants / calls for proposals.

Step 7: Inform the following players: your institution & your faculty (they can relay the information on your programme offer, at their level).
Step 8: Step 8: Establish a Communication Plan: Communicate actively on internal and external channels: mailings to universities and other partner institutions, language schools/networks (ex: ISEP, Campus France, Cervantes Institutes, your network of Embassies, etc.)

Design and send out invitations to potential participants:
Already attending courses in my degree programme.
Already attending courses on the campus.
Abroad / in partner institutions.
Create a digital brochure with event details (agenda, speakers, registration process). Communicate on the opening and closing dates of the applying process. NB: if the students benefit from scholarships (ex: ISEP grants) you must close the registrations in early April at the latest, to facilitate the remaining administrative and logistical work.
Promote the programme through social media channels to generate interest and engage participants. Showcase the benefits of such intensive programmes!

Step 9: Get some help from Support services of your institution or faculty (Schooling service, International Relations’ Office, Communication Department):

To continue communication actions.
To start the registration process at least 6 months in advance, as this i a much timeconsuming step.
Once registrations are closed, take care of the administrative steps:
Find an accommodation for the international students and set the contract for them (or send them useful information in that sense / make sure they do it).
Take care of the immigration process – if letters of invitation and other administrative documents are required (students may need to apply for a visa...).
Communicate clearly on the personal liability insurance which is compulsory. The university declines all responsibility.
To coordinate logistics:

Finalise transportation and accommodation for speakers and out-of-town participants (if necessary).
Arrange for catering services (lunches, coffee breaks, dinners) that align with the programme schedule.
Prepare participant kits that include event materials, schedule, and other helpful resources.

Step 10: Send out a Welcome notice to the registered participants: anticipate the guidance provided to international students upon their arrival (accommodation, access to internet and classroom, guidance for local transportation, groceries, etc.)
Step 11: Serve the Programme

On the day of the event, ensure that all preparations are in place: check equipment, seating arrangements, and materials.
Welcome the students: welcoming tour / activities, settling in the housing... And introduce them to all useful people /staff.
Organise the teaching and evaluation: explain the context of your university and how it works. Encourage active engagement throughout the programme (discussions, group work, networking).

Step 12: Post-event follow-up.

Send thank-you notes to speakers and participants.
Measure the satisfaction of students and academic staff.
Review feedback to evaluate the success of the programme and identify areas for improvement in future editions.
Share post-event materials (session recordings, slides, further reading).

Budget description:
Cost for the organising institution: €€

Cost per participant: You must communicate clearly on the things that are covered or not by the registration fees (e.g. xx hours of class, access to cultural and sports activities organised by your university for its international students; for all participants may cover at least the costs of accommodation and the courses, accommodation, meals and any other personal expenses.
Business model of the activity: Registration fees may cover at least the costs the courses, potentially more aspects, but not all fees engaged (see above).

Budget type / sources of revenues:

Bilateral fundings (mobility programmes such as embassies / Campus France / ISEP grants, etc.).
Erasmus fundings, if relevant in your case.
Call for applications: internal or external to your university.

How to obtain financing: Apply to specific call for proposals, contact Embassies (they can give grants for international students).

Non-mandatory items[edit | edit source]

Tips & tricks:

Presentation matters: your promotional material should highlight the unique value of the programme.
Keep it fresh: change the theme or activities annually to maintain novelty.
Stay adaptable: always have a Plan B for unforeseen circumstances.
Key dates: The programme of your summer school must be designed by December of the year before, to start communicating on it to students in early January, and close the registrations end of April.
Adapt your offer & the type of package to the target you want to reach. For example, if you wish to attract students from the USA (cf. ISEP agreement), opt for a fully packaged programme as they are used to it and looking for that type of offers. You must be aware that this public is very demanding and that the level of expectation is usually higher than the average.
Person to contact for further information: To be personalised according to each institution.

Successful examples of this recipe (already implemented and proven to be easily replicable)

Example of activity programme: An Alpine Summer programme organised at USMB (conceived by Emilie Viret-Tasiniphone)
List of short programmes offered by French universities, advertised on Campus France website.