Bangla • Dari • Gujarati • Hindi • Marathi • Nepali • Pashto • Punjabi • Sanskrit • Sinhala • Tamil • Tibetan • Urdu
The South Asia Summer Language Institute (SASLI) offers high-quality, proficiency-driven courses in 13 languages for undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners. Our 8-week program is the equivalent of one year of study. Students learn speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills through classroom instruction and a full range of co-curricular activities.
Program runs June 15–August 7, 2026; applications open this fall.
Classes
Apply to study any SASLI language at the elementary or intermediate level. Advanced courses are offered in Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu, with other advanced-level options available upon inquiry. All courses meet synchronously via Zoom, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (CDT), with ample breaks included.
Learn More
Email sasli@lpo.wisc.edu or schedule an advising appointment to receive more information.
Join our mailing list and follow SASLI on social media for the latest on applications, course offerings, and scholarship and employment opportunities!
Student Voices
“I liked getting to know the other students in my cohort. Everyone is patient, kind, and understanding to help each-other be better learners. The instructor gets to know you personally and remembers these details as we expand our academic relationships. You feel comfortable to learn and make mistakes with a great group who supports your learning process.”
– Vaughan K., 2025 Urdu Student
“Studying Nepali with SASLI will go down as one of the most gratifying experiences of my academic career. I learned foundational language skills that have increased my confidence in achieving my academic and professional goals. I also met some fascinating academic colleagues with whom I hope to keep in touch. Thank you, SASLI, for a truly great summer. “
– 2024 Nepali Student
“I chose to study my language at WISLI because it is important to my culture and identity. My favorite part was the group activities. They gave us a chance to work together, share ideas, and learn from each other. Talking with classmates made lessons easier to understand and more enjoyable. It also helped us build friendships and feel more connected.”
– Aung T., 2025 Sanskrit Student
Sample Syllabi with Textbook Info
Here you’ll find sample syllabi from the most recent offering of each SASLI 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, so we encourage you to apply early. Questions about syllabi or course offerings can be directed to sasli@lpo.wisc.edu.
Bangla
Dari
Gujarati
Hindi
Marathi
Nepali
Pashto
Punjabi
Sanskrit
Sinhala
Tamil
Tibetan
Urdu
Research and Language Sustainment Resources
South Asian Studies Library Resources
All SASLI students can access the UW–Madison library system. Explore these resources for projects and interests:
South Asian Studies Collection
South & Southeast Asia Library Databases
Other Resources
WorldCat – Search many libraries at once for books, music, and videos and download research articles and view digital items.
Romanization Tables – Transliteration schemes for non-Roman scripts in the following languages: Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Pali, Punjabi, Sanskrit and Prakit, Santali, Sindhi, Sinhalese, Tamil, Telugu, Tibetan, and Urdu.
Hindi Language Resources
Interested in continuing your Hindi studies post-SASLI? Thanks to the support of ProjectGo, we are happy to share the following activities, databases, textbooks, etc. to help you do just that. Click the links below to access these resources!
Sponsors and Mission
The South Asia Summer Language Institute (SASLI) co-administered by the UW-Madison Language Program Office and the Center for South Asia.
SASLI was established in 2001–2002 by the Directors of the eleven Title VI South Asia National Resource Centers in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education. The decision was ratified in 2002, and the first classes were held in summer 2003 at UW–Madison. The Institute’s operation at UW–Madison is renewed every five years, contingent on favorable review and local resources.
SASLI is sponsored by a consortium of National Resource Centers for South Asia and FLAS-granting institutions for South Asian languages, funded by the Department of Education: Columbia University, Cornell University, Syracuse University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin, University of Washington, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
SASLI is dedicated to training students, faculty, and professionals in the languages of South Asia through its primary and secondary missions.
Primary Mission. SASLI’s primary focus is two-fold: [1] South Asian language instruction and [2] the professional training of instructors in language pedagogy appropriate to South Asia. To achieve these goals, SASLI offers intensive summer sessions of approximately a dozen languages at the elementary and intermediate levels, pedagogy workshops for teaching best practices, and the application of newly developed language-learning tools.
Secondary Mission. SASLI likewise strives to effect secondary goals of increasing the number and quality of trained specialists to teach language, including from abroad, and to generate a close collaboration among other South Asian language-learning institutions, both domestic and foreign. Any organized activity that furthers those larger goals is considered to fall within the purview of the organization, and SASLI may, from time to time, effect additional individual or institutional collaborations to meet these goals.