For more than fifteen years, the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures has offered intensive language training in Japanese during summer months. Called Summer East Asian Language Studies (SEALS), it continues to offer a concentrated mix of intensive training in language and culture. Enrollment permitting, we also offer SEALS Chinese and SEALS Korean.
A successful language program must have at least two components: explicit knowledge about the target language and culture and a large amount of practice in context. We address the first component through daily lecture on linguistic facts and through a series of cultural activities built into the curriculum. As for the second, we recognize that we do not acquire the full range of language use through studying the language by looking at example sentences in the textbook. All moves we make in language, including utterances and communicative behavior, must be securely pinned to the culture of that language.
These summer courses challenge your resolve but reward you with rapid language acquisition with a strong proficiency in aural comprehension and oral communication in addition to basic reading and writing skills.
Japan
JPNSE 1061 First Year Japanese is equivalent to two semesters of first year Japanese at Pitt (i.e., JPNSE 0001 and JPNSE 0002). Likewise, JPNSE 1062 is equivalent to two semesters of second year Japanese (JPNSE 0003 and JPNSE 0004), and JPNSE 1066 is equivalent to two semesters of third year Japanese (JPNSE 1020 and JPNSE 1021). These classes typically have a special ten-week span, and starting and ending dates often do not follow the regular start and end dates for Pitt summer courses.
The 2025 SEALS program will offer JPNSE 0001 and 0002, which together constitute a full year of Japanese language instruction. JPNSE 0012, which covers the second half of 0001, will be offered as well. JPNSE 0001 and 0012 will be held May 14 – June 24. JPNSE 0002 will be held June 25 – August 5th. JPNSE 0001 and 0002 classes are held Monday through Friday, 9:00-3:50pm. JPNSE 0012 classes are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00-3:50pm. Students participate in 4 hours of instruction per day, with time between classes to study, and a one hour break for lunch.
All 2025 SEALS Japan classes will be offered through virtual instruction. The majority of classes will be conducted synchronously.
A number of scholarships are available to enable students to take both JPNSE 0001 and 0002 through SEALS. See the “SEALS Japan Scholarships” section below.
Information on admission and registration at the University of Pittsburgh for summer courses can be found here: https://www.as.pitt.edu/summer-sessions. Registration begins February 12, 2025.
Past SEALS Japan faculty included lecture teachers Junzo Oshimo and Sachiko T. Howard. If you have a question, please contact Stephen Luft.
Click here to view the flyer for Summer 2025.
Chinese
Learn First Year Chinese in 10 weeks with SEALS China. Over the course of 10 weeks, students will complete CHIN0001 and CHIN0002, which is equivalent to two semesters of First-year Chinese at Pitt. We are also offering Third Year Chinese 1 & 2 in online format. The courses combined are equivalent to two semesters of Third-Year Chinese learning at Pitt.
For more information, please contact Fan Fan or view the SEALS China First Year & Third Year.
Our CoolChinese Summer Camp is back! EALL will offer a non-residential, intensive Chinese language and culture program for high school students beginning in the summer of 2023. For more information about the CoolChinese Summer Camp, please see the Camp flyer here. You can also visit the registration and your teacher's recommendation letter link, too.
Korea
SEALS Korea offers intensive eight-week Korean language courses that are one year worth of 1st Year Korean (KOREAN 0001 & 0002) for beginners and 2nd Year Korean (KOREAN 0003 & 0004). After successful completion of the courses, you can take upper level courses in fall semester. The courses will meet remotely via Zoom. If you have a question, please contact Mi-Hyun Kim.
Click here for the SEALS Korea Summer 2025 flyer.
SEALS Japan Scholarships
EALL has a number of tuition awards to enable first and second year students to take SEALS Japan.
The online application for SEALS Japan tuition awards can be accessed here. The deadline to apply for a SEALS Japan tuition award for 2025 is February 28, 2025.
Important information about the scholarships and the application is available here.
