Attendance and Tardiness

Program dates are June 14 – August 6, 2027. The 2027 class schedule runs Monday through Friday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. CDT, with four hours of instruction each day plus scheduled breaks determined by instructors and students.

Because the July 4 holiday falls on a Sunday in 2027, classes will still be held on Friday, July 2, and Monday, July 5.

If you have questions or concerns about any of the policies below, or about your ability to meet them, please contact wisli@lpo.wisc.edu.

Attendance

Students may miss one class per semester without penalty; a second absence can result in a full grade deduction; three or more absences may lead to an additional grade reduction or automatic failure. Students receiving a WISLI Tuition Scholarship are expected to fully adhere to this policy.

Class participation will constitute a substantial part of your work; therefore, missing a class can affect your grades.

Additional Attendance Policy Notes 

  • All absences must be communicated with WISLI program staff. 
  • Students must pass the first four weeks to advance to the next semester.
  • Incomplete grades are not available.
  • Students may choose to take the course on a Pass/Fail basis.
  • Class sessions may not be recorded.
  • Absences on exam or presentation days result in failure of the assignment, with no opportunity for a make-up.
  • Emergency, “excused” absences are considered on a case-by-case basis by both the instructor and program staff and may require additional documentation.
  • Students who miss class are responsible for making up missed work and getting back on track. Instructors are not expected to provide individual make-up instruction for missed class time.
  • Students receiving a WISLI Tuition Scholarship are fully expected to participate in the program and meet these attendance expectations.

As you finalize your summer plans, keep in mind that every missed class means losing valuable instructional time and language practice, whether you are paying tuition yourself or receiving scholarship support. Even if you are not concerned about your grade, absences can limit the progress and proficiency gains you are here to make.

Tardiness

Tardiness is defined as arriving more than 5 minutes late to the start of class as well as the time immediately following scheduled breaks. Excessive tardiness is arriving more than 10 minutes late to class. Tardiness in excess of 30 minutes will be considered a half- or full-day absence. In instances of repeated tardiness: 

  • Three instances of tardiness will result in a warning. A fourth instance of tardiness will require a meeting with an Academic Coordinator.   
  • Three instances of excessive tardiness (arriving more than 10 minutes late but less than 30) will be counted as a half-day absence.
  • Repeated tardiness in excess of 30 minutes will be subject to the WISLI absence policy. 
  • Continued tardiness or excessive tardiness may result in further penalty or dismissal.   

External Commitments

WISLI recommends students to budget approximately 8 hours per day for their language studies, including four hours per day of class time and about four hours per day of independent study and review.

Due to the intensive pace of WISLI, it can be challenging to maintain the same commitment to external obligations during the traditional academic year. We encourage you to limit outside commitments—such as employment, doctoral research, caregiving, and other time-intensive responsibilities.

For other circumstances, such as unexpected events or illnesses, or anything else which will not overall impact or hinder your participation in the program, we are happy to work with you to establish reasonable accommodations.