Governor’s World Language Academies Program

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has sponsored the Governor’s World Language Academies (GWLA) since 1987. Over 10,300 students have completed one of the programs. The focus of the GWLA is communication and using world languages in a functional and meaningful way. The full-immersion Academies are designed to provide an immersion setting for students who have learned the Academy language in a traditional school setting. The focus is on the development of oral fluency and ease of expression.

Other Summer Programs

Students interested in applying to other summer programs need to refer to that program's page for timelines and applications.

Dates and Location

• French, German, and Spanish Academies (Full-Immersion):
  • Dates: June 22, 2024 – July 13, 2024 (3 weeks)
  • Location: Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. 
• Japanese (Partial-Immersion) and Latin Academies:
  • Dates: June 23, 2024 – July 14, 2024 (3 weeks)
  • Location: Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.

Eligibility

• Current 11th graders and mature 10th graders
• Emotional maturity, stability, stamina, and self-discipline to live away from home for an extended period
• Ambassador to their school and FCPS
• Students must be nominated by their school  
  • Schools may nominate up to two nominees per language per school
• Cannot be a:
  • Current applicant to a 2024 Summer Residential Governor’s School
  • Current applicant to another GWLA,
  • Former participant in the Governor’s School/GWLA

Additional Requirements by Language Academy

Latin Academy

Students must complete at least two levels of Latin prior to the beginning of the Academy.

Japanese Academy (Partial-Immersion)

Students must:

• Successfully complete at least level two of ANY world language prior to the beginning of the Academy (but may also be students of Japanese).
• Not be fluent or proficient speakers of Japanese.

French, German, and Spanish Academies (Full-Immersion)

Students must:

• Have completed at least level three of the language prior to the beginning of the Academy.
• Not be native speakers of the Academy language.
• Have developed good proficiency in using this language.
• Be willing to use the target language for all social and academic interactions.

Parent and Student GWLA Information Session

Parents and students are invited to attend a virtual information meeting (Zoom)

• Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023
• Time: 4 to 5 p.m.  

General Information

Please read about important GWLA news, announcement and Guide for Students and Parents/Guardians on the VDOE Governor’s World Language Academies web page.

Timeline

Note: FCPS has internal student deadlines that are earlier than the VDOE deadlines. FCPS students must follow the FCPS deadlines. See the World Language Department Chair at your school for specific deadlines.

• November 7, 2023: Parent and Student GWLA Informational Meeting on Zoom from 4 to 5 p.m.
• November 10, 2023: Students must notify interest to World Languages Department Chair and World Languages Teacher
• November 2023: School Selection Process
• October - November 28, 2023: Eligible students to be nominated:
  • Begin the online application.
  • Meet with the World Languages Department Chair (or school partner) to receive GWLA 2023-24 Student Application Planning Document.
• December 2023 - January 11, 2024: Student completes language testing at school site
• December 5, 2023: Student creates online application  and starts:
  • Task 1: Eligibility
  • Task 2: Notify School
  • Task 3: Student Information Form
  • Task 4: Parent/Guardian Permission (Request)
• December 11, 2023: Student completes:
  Changes cannot be made after submitted.
  • Task 1: Eligibility
  • Task 2: Notify School
  • Task 3: Student Information Form
  • Task 4: Parent/Guardian Permission (Received)
    Note: Tasks 1-4 must be complete to make Tasks 5-8 available.
• December 13, 2023:
  • Student starts: Task 5: Student Application Questions (Essay)
  • Student completes sending requests for:
    • Task 6: Counselor Recommendation and Transcript (Request)
    • Task 7: World Language Teacher Recommendation (Request)
    • Task 8: Second Recommendation (Request)
• January 4, 2024:
  • Student and recommenders complete:
    • Task 5: Student Application Questions (Essay)
    • Task 6: Counselor Recommendation and Transcript (Received)
    • Task 7: World Language Teacher Recommendation (Received)
    • Task 8: Second Recommendation (Received)
      Note: Tasks 1-8 must be complete to make Task 9 available.
  • Student starts: Task 9 - Principal or designee Nomination (Request)
• January 10, 2024: Task 9 - Principal or designee nomination (Received)
  Note: Task 9 must be complete to make Task 10 available.
• January 11, 2024:
  • Student completes: Task 10 - Language Testing
  • Submits completed application.
    No late applications are accepted.
• April 15, 2024: VDOE sends notices to students about the status of their applications.
• May 2024: Students notify the VDOE of their acceptance of the invitation through the online application portal.