Spokane Public Schools & Gonzaga Summer Language Program: July 5 - 23, 2021
Classes are held Monday-Friday 1:00 - 3:00pm online.
Students enrolled in Spokane Public Schools should register through their school. We provide transportation (buses) for registered students from their local school to Gonzaga and back.
For students outside Spokane Public Schools, registration is available on a limited basis for a $50 fee. Click here to register or visit: https://commerce.cashnet.com/GUSILC. There are a limited number of need-based scholarships available for students with refugee status who are not enrolled in Spokane Public Schools. Please contact the Department of Teacher Education at 509-313-2161 for more information on registration and scholarships.
About the Summer Language Program
The Summer Language Program (SLP) is a free, content-based ESL program for learners from pre-kindergarten to adult. We started the program in 2009 with only 8 students. In 2017, we had more than 400 registrations, but usually only about 250 came on any day of the three-week program. In 2018, numbers were up considerably, with over 530 registrations and daily attendance of over 300!
Each of the 10 classrooms has a different, STEM-based curriculum:
| Grade Level |
Curriculum |
| 1st Grade: |
Brick Lab Zoo |
| 2nd Grade: |
Rogue Rodent Mystery |
| 3rd Grade: |
The Science of Superpowers |
| 4th Grade: |
Pirate Camp |
| 5th Grade: |
Oceanic Exploration |
| 6th Grade: |
Flight and Aerodynamics |
| 7th Grade: |
Camp Crime Scene |
| 10th-12th Grade: |
BTECC (Business, Technology, and Career Counseling) & Video Production |
The program is funded through a Refugee Impact grant from School's Out Washington, as well as through course fees for the teacher-training (ELL Endorsement/TESOL Certificate) course for which the SLP is a practicum site.
SLP in the media
Gonzaga language program for ESL students grows in popularity (Drew Gerber • The Spokesman-Review July 28, 2017)
Summer Language Program Brings International Flavor to Gonzaga (Doug Nadvornick • Spokane Public Radio • July 27, 2017)
Gonzaga Summer Language Program Gives Spokane a Very International Feel (Doug Nadvornick • Spokane Public Radio • JULY 25, 2017)
Intercontinental Grammar (Doug Nadvornick • The Inlander • July 05, 2007)
Language camp serves learners and teachers (Shawn Vestal • The Spokesman-Review • July 27, 2005)
The ESL Summer Language Program is an integral feature of the Summer Institute. In conjunction with Spokane Public Schools, the Program provides a unique opportunity for its participants to work with ESL students of various ages, nationalities, and proficiency levels. Included in this enhanced hands-on experience are opportunities for observation, teaching, and participation in social activities with ESL students.