Bangla • Dari • Gujarati • Hindi • Marathi • Nepali • Pashto • Punjabi • Sanskrit • Sinhala • Tamil • Tibetan • Urdu
SASLI offers high-quality, proficiency-driven online courses in 13 South Asian 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 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. 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 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) is administered by the Language Program Office and the Center for South Asia at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. SASLI was established in 2001-2002 by Directors of the eleven Title VI South Asia National Resource Centers. The Institute’s operation at UW–Madison is renewed every five years, contingent on favorable review and local resources. Classes were first held in 2003, and the current cycle runs through 2030.
SASLI is sponsored by a consortium of National Resource Centers for South Asia and FLAS-granting institutions, funded by the Department of Education:
- Columbia University (South Asia Institute)
- Cornell University (South Asia Program)
- Syracuse University (South Asia Center)
- University of California, Berkeley (The Institute for South Asia Studies)
- University of Michigan (Center for South Asian Studies)
- University of Pennsylvania (South Asia Center)
- University of Texas at Austin (South Asia Institute)
- University of Washington (South Asia Center)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Center for South Asia)
Institutions, organizations, or individuals interested in partnering with SASLI are invited to contact sasli@lpo.wisc.edu.
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 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, SASLI offers intensive summer programs in 13 South Asian 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
SASLI also seeks to expand the number of global professionals with strong language and cultural expertise who can navigate diverse cultural contexts. In addition, SASLI aims to support heritage language learners and address the multilingual needs of local communities. To advance these goals, SASLI 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.