Kazakh • Tajik • Uyghur • Uzbek
CESSI offers high-quality, proficiency-driven online courses in four Central Eurasian languages. Courses are open to undergraduates, graduate students, adult learners, and high school juniors and seniors. This accelerated eight-week program is equivalent to one year of language study, developing speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills through intensive instruction and a range of engaging co-curricular activities.
Program Dates: June 15–August 7, 2026.
Classes
Apply to study any CESSI language at the elementary, intermediate, or advanced level. All courses meet synchronously via Zoom, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (CDT), with ample breaks included.
Learn More
Email cessi@creeca.wisc.edu or schedule an advising appointment to receive more information.
Join our mailing list and follow CESSI on social media for the latest on applications, course offerings, and scholarship and employment opportunities!
Student Voices
“Learning Uyghur has been very rewarding and enriching, not just in the sense of comforting me, but also in bringing me closer to the history, culture, and some very intimate sentiments that Uyghur people share. Learning Uyghur has also significantly impacted my research interests and potential career goals. It is a great opportunity to advance your language skills quickly with amazing staff, instructors, and peers.”
– Zeytune L., CESSI 2025
“I knew from past experience studying Kazakh that the quality of instruction here is excellent. The accelerated nature of the program as well as the funding opportunities were big factors in my decision to study Uyghur. The highlight of this summer is definitely my fellow classmates and instructor. It was great to be part of such a supportive and driven group, and I’m so grateful for the connections and community we built.”
– Maryanna W., CESSI 2025
“I was eager to study Uyghur because I wanted to develop my language proficiency for research purposes and to obtain linguistic insights. I chose Uyghur because I have basic competence in this language and wanted to move beyond simple interactions. Competency in Uyghur helps build solidarity with Uyghur community members. My ultimate goal is to be able to conduct interviews in Uyghur.”
– Robert W., CESSI 2025
Sample Syllabi with Textbook Info
Here you’ll find sample syllabi from the most recent offering of each CESSI course, including textbook information. Please note that syllabi and textbooks may vary from year to year, depending on the instructor. Additionally, some languages or levels may not be offered if student interest and enrollments are low. Questions about syllabi or course offerings can be directed to cessi@creeca.wisc.edu.
Resources
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General Language Resources
- Short videos in different languages, most with transcripts. Many languages, including: Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Mongolian, Tajik, and Uzbek.
- CESSI Spotify Account featuring music and radio stations by Central Asian artists.
- YouTube playlist featuring music by Central Asian artists as recommended by CESSI students. Note that the content of this playlist does not necessarily reflect the views of CESSI, CREECA, or its grantors. No official endorsement should be inferred.
History and Culture Resources
- The Eurasian Knot features a series of podcasts devoted to Central Asia
For Learners of Kazakh
- A detailed resource guide compiled by CESSI alum Dennis Keen, founder of Walking Almaty.
- Short videos about Kazakhstan, most in Russian or English, some with transcripts.
- Resources compiled by the UW-Madison Russian Flagship about Kazakhstan, among other topics.
- A presentation about Q-Pop (Kazakh Music) by CESSI alum Avery Coleman.
- World, local, and cultural current events presented in Kazakh: www.BAQ.kz, https://www.azattyq.org , http://kaz-tili.kz/wch.htm, https://tilqural.kz/, https://qazaqstan3d.kz/ , https://nationalgeographic.kz/
- Catalogue of e-books available in Kazakh
- Collection of audio and e-books in Kazakh
- Instagram accounts daily Kazakh language and cultural content: daily.soz, natgeoqaz, kiltiyma, kazakh_language_in
For Learners of Tajik
- Short videos about Tajikistan, most in Russian or English, some with transcripts.
- Tajik-English Dictionary
- Social Media with Information about Tajikistan Explore Tajikistan | Facebook
- Tajik Language Alphabet guide
- Grammar and Phrases guide
- BBC new broadcasts in Tajik & Radio Library broadcasts in Tajik
- British Library: Collecting the Heritage of the Silk Road: Tajikistan’s pre-Russian Past in Documents
- Collection of Central Asian Memoirs of the Soviet Era
For Learners of Uyghur
- Uyghur Dictionary
- Uyghur Learning site, oriented to Uyghur children but useful for Level 2/Intermediate learners.
- Websites with Materials in Uyghur: Uyghur Archive and Turkistan Library
- A free textbook with basic lessons in Uyghur
For Learners of Uzbek
- Reading & Listening Exercises in Uzbek (and other languages including Azerbaijani).
- Short videos about Uzbekistan, most in Uzbek or English, some with transcripts.
- List of free online dictionaries and Quizlet flashcard sets
- Uzbek language learners Facebook Group
- Uzbek digital library, including dictionaries, in PDF form
- Audiobooks in Uzbek, various genres, some available for purchase (not expensive)
- Films on YouTube (classic and modern)
Career Resources for CESSI Students
Whether you’re looking for a job in government service, academia, or the private sector, a Central Asian language is a great addition to your skill set! Below is a breakdown of some resources to aid in your job search, depending on whether you’re interested in private, academic, or government employment. You’ll also find some more general resources here:
- ASEEES has a great list of different resources, also broken down by sector
- CREECA often posts announcements about job opportunities that may be of interest
Government Employment Opportunities
- USAJOBS is a great place to start looking for jobs with the U.S. government. This site requires users to have a login.gov account and a USAJOBS profile to apply for positions.
- Additionally, some agencies post job opportunities on their own websites. Click here to research employment for a specific agency.
- Employment info about the U.S. Intelligence Community: this site is helpful for area studies specialists and linguists.
- Students and recent graduates: visit this site to learn about hiring pathways and student programs
- For veterans: click here for info on Veterans’ preference and special hiring authorities
- Additional information on Schedule A hiring authorities
Contact information for questions about hiring processes and government employment:
- For general questions about State Department Careers: careers@state.gov
- Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) outreach and recruitment: INR-Jobs@state.gov
- Program: Diplomats in Residence are career Foreign Service Officers and Specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice on careers, internships, and fellowships to interested students. Click here to find a Diplomat in Residence in your area.
Private and Nonacademic Sector Employment Opportunities
The private/academic sector also boasts a wide array of opportunities for CESSI students to pursue a field in which their CESSI language is applicable. Here’s a list of considerations when searching for a private sector job:
- Central Eurasian Studies Society (CESS): If you’re interested in conducting research or acting in some administrative role, consider checking out some regional think-tanks or similar organizations. The following is a short list of groups that we have promoted as having some job opportunities:
- Council on Foreign Relations
- International Republican Institute (IRI)
- Institute on International Education
Sponsors and Mission
The Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI) is co-administered by the Language Program Office and the Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia (CREECA) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. CESSI was founded in 2011 by a consortium of international and area studies centers at major U.S. universities.
CESSI is dedicated to training students, faculty, and professionals in the languages of Central Eurasia through its primary and secondary missions:
Primary Mission
CESSI’s primary mission is two-fold: [1] to provide high-quality instruction in less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) and [2] to prepare instructors with strong training in language pedagogy. To this end, CESSI offers intensive summer programs in four Central Eurasian languages, from elementary to advanced levels, along with pedagogy workshops on best practices and innovative teaching tools. Our small, proficiency-based classes focus on developing learners’ ability to use language confidently in real-world situations.
Secondary Mission
CESSI also seeks to expand the number of global professionals with strong language and cultural expertise who can navigate diverse cultural contexts. In addition, CESSI aims to support heritage language learners and address the multilingual needs of local communities. To advance these goals, CESSI contributes a national community of practice for LCTL instructors and learners, promotes collaboration with institutions in the U.S. and abroad, and champions LCTL study through a variety of outreach initiatives.
Current CESSI Consortium members are:
- Columbia University: Harriman Institute
- Harvard University: Davis Center for Russian & Eurasian Studies
- George Washington University: Central Asia Program; Sigur Center for Asian Studies
- Michigan State University: Asian Studies Center; Center for European, Russian, & Eurasian Studies
- The Ohio State University: East Asian Studies Center; Center for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies
- Stanford University: Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
- University of California-Berkeley: Institute of Slavic, East European, & Eurasian Studies; Institute of East Asian Studies; Tang Center for Silk Road Studies
- University of Kansas: Center for East Asian Studies; Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
- University of Pittsburgh: Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies
- University of Washington: Center for Global Studies; East Asia Center
- University of Wisconsin-Madison: Center for Russia, East Europe, & Central Asia; Center for East Asian Studies
Institutions, organizations, or individuals interested in partnering with CESSI are invited to contact cessi@creeca.wisc.edu.