2-week Academy: July 26 – August 8, 2026
- Move-in: July 26
- Orientation: July 26
- Move-out: August 8
Application dates are available on the Application Information page.
The Academic English & University Readiness Academy is a two-week summer program for international high school students designed to build the English language and critical thinking skills needed for success in US university settings. Hosted on the University of Pennsylvania campus, this immersive experience will help students strengthen their speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities while gaining insight into American academic culture and campus life. Using the culture and history of Philadelphia as a backdrop, students will read academic texts, listen to lectures, participate in academic discussions, perform research, and create a presentation that showcases their coursework and international experience. Students will also explore how innovation and technology drive research, learning, and discovery across a dynamic university campus. Combining authentic material with personal experience, students will finish the program with a better understanding of American culture and what it takes to succeed as an independent learner and researcher.
Through engaging classroom instruction, collaborative projects, and interactive workshops, students will practice university-style communication and develop confidence using English in academic and social contexts. Activities will include group discussions, academic presentations, campus exploration, and reflective writing that connect language learning with real-world experiences. By the end of the program, participants will have sharpened their language proficiency, enhanced their academic study skills, and gained a clearer understanding of what it takes to thrive as independent, globally minded learners at a US university.
Non-native English speakers
| Required Tests | Minimum scores * |
|---|---|
| TOEFL or At-Home TOEFL | 80-99 (iBT) |
| IELTS | 6 or 6.5 |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 110-125 |
Features
Learning objectives and student outcomes: This experiential program will include 30 hours per week of educational activities and cultural experiences designed to fulfill these objectives:
- Develop knowledge of content areas such as American history and culture, innovation, and technology
- Identify and employ communicative English language skills in academic tasks
- Sharpen persuasive speaking and writing skills
- Build confidence for future academic and professional endeavors
- Experience the unique academic and social culture of an Ivy League university
Capstone project: Students will complete a capstone project presenting their reflections on their coursework and intercultural experiences in the program.
Guest lectures and advising sessions: These will be from members of the University of Pennsylvania community and will be relevant to high school students who are interested in future studies in undergraduate programs at US universities.
Field trips: These will be an opportunity for participants to go beyond the classroom to experience Philadelphia’s history and culture, while also exploring the university’s campus.
Syllabus: coming soon
Technology statement
Students are required to bring their laptops or tablets to the program for in-class work and must have administrative access to make changes to the computer system and install applications.
Kate Kinney, EdD is the testing and programs manager at the University of Pennsylvania English Language Programs (ELP), where she leads programming for international students and teaches graduate level courses. Though she has worked in higher education for the past 20 years, her early career began in K-12 settings, both internationally and in US public schools. She taught English as a foreign language (EFL) in Mongolia, contributing to Mongolia’s first EFL national curriculum and EFL teacher training. Additionally, she taught newly arrived immigrant students in the United States and co-founded a public high school in New York City that promotes multilingualism and global understanding. She has led programs at Penn’s Graduate School of Education and School of Arts and Sciences with an emphasis on teacher training and development. She holds a master’s degree in TESOL from Teachers College, Columbia University and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.
