Special Programs and Opportunities

Self Instructional Language Program (SILP)

Pomona’s Self Instructional Language Program (SILP) provides students with an opportunity to study less-commonly taught languages via an academically rigorous program that combines self-study of appropriate texts and audio-visual materials, conversation and drill sessions with a native speaker “coach,” and examinations by a language faculty member from the relevant field at an accredited institution.

The SILP Pilot began AY 2012-2013 with an initial offering in Swahili. Currently, both first-year Swahili and Farsi are offered. Courses are listed under Interdisciplinary Studies in the 5C undergraduate course schedule. SILP courses are offered for 0.5 credit on a P/NC basis; course enrollment is limited and no auditing is permitted.

First-year students are not eligible for SILP; additionally, students must have previously satisfied their college’s foreign language requirement. If a college does not have such a requirement, then students must have completed 3 semesters of a college-level language. SILP is intended to enhance, not replace, offerings of existing language programs at the Claremont Colleges.

Students interested in the program should visit our SILP student expectations page for further information. If you are interested in possible future languages please e-mail Oldenborg@pomona.edu and indicate “SILP” in the subject line. Pomona’s SILP program is associated with NASILP, the National Association of Self-Instructional Language Programs.