Burmese • Filipino • Hmong • Indonesian • Javanese • Khmer • Lao • Thai • Vietnamese
SEASSI offers high-quality, proficiency-driven courses in nine Southeast Asian languages. Courses are open to undergraduates, graduate students, adult learners, and high school juniors and seniors (online only). 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 SEASSI language at the elementary, intermediate, or advanced level. Courses will meet synchronously via Zoom with limited in-person options for Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese. All classes will meet Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (CDT), with ample breaks included.
Learn More
Email seassi@lpo.wisc.edu or schedule an advising appointment to receive more information.
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Student Voices
“Learning Khmer has been both enriching & transformative – opening new pathways for my research on Buddhist texts & connecting me more deeply to the communities & traditions of mainland Southeast Asia.”
– Chengpeng · Khmer, 2025
“Amazing experience, one of the best programs I’ve attended.”
– Luke · Indonesian, 2025
“The amount of progress you make in these few weeks is monumental.”
– Jackson · Indonesian, 2025
“DO IT!!! It is so great but be ready because it is not like the online apps. The teachers are awesome. The lessons are intense but so so useful. It is simply an amazing program. I would even love to study this in a full-time program.
– Omilani · Filipino, 2025
Sample Syllabi with Textbook Info
Here you’ll find sample syllabi from the most recent offering of each SEASSI 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 seassi@lpo.wisc.edu.
Research and Language Resources
South Asian Studies Library Resources
All SEASSI participants have access to the UW-Madison library system. Check out the resources below for ongoing projects and interests:
Southeast Asian Studies Collection
Southeast Asia Library Databases
Mills Music Library holds a large collection of Southeast Asian music recordings.
Other Resources
The SEAlang Library – Established in 2005, this library provides online, searchable dictionaries and other language reference materials for Southeast Asia.
Lao Language Lesson Playlist (and main YouTube Channel – About Laos). You can also check out the video about the Lao English School, with founder and CEO, Ginie.
Helen Allen Textile Collection has extensive holdings of fabrics from Southeast Asia.
Indonesian Language Resources
Interested in continuing your Indonesian studies post-SEASSI? Thanks to the support of Southeast Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SEAFLI), we are happy to share the following activities, databases, textbooks, etc. to help you do just that. Click the link below to access these resources!
Sponsors and Mission
The Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI) is administered by the UW-Madison Language Program Office and is sponsored and supported by the following centers and institutional partners:
- UW-Madison Affiliated: Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Institute for Regional and International Studies National Resource Center (IRIS NRC), Southeast Asian Language Council (SEALC), and Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC).
- Stakeholder Network: Arizona State University, Cornell University, Michigan State University, Northern Illinois University, Ohio University, University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, University of Washington, and Yale University.
Institutions, organizations, or individuals interested in partnering with WISLI are invited to contact seassi@lpo.wisc.edu.
SEASSI is dedicated to training students, faculty, and professionals in the languages of Southeast Asia through its primary and secondary missions:
Primary Mission
SEASSI’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, SEASSI offers intensive summer programs in 9 Southeast 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
SEASSI also seeks to expand the number of global professionals with strong language and cultural expertise who can navigate diverse cultural contexts. In addition, SEASSI aims to support heritage language learners and address the multilingual needs of local communities. To advance these goals, SEASSI 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.
History
SEASSI was conceived in 1983 at Ohio University to offer intensive summer instruction in eight major Southeast Asian languages—all in one location. It was, and remains, a unique program bringing together students and faculty from across the country, supported by institutional, federal, and foundation funding.
SEASSI is an integral part of a nationwide network of language teaching faculty from member institutions, including: Arizona State University, Cornell University, Michigan State University, Northern Illinois University, Ohio University, University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Hawaii-Manoa, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, University of Washington, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Yale University. Representatives from these institutions meet annually to collaborate and enhance the program.
Since its first full-scale institute at the University of Michigan in 1984, SEASSI has been hosted by universities with strong Southeast Asian Studies programs. From 1984 to 1999, the institute rotated every two years. Since 2000, it has been permanently hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Previous host institutions are as follows: University of Michigan (1984-85); Northern Illinois University (1986-87); University of Hawaii (1988-89); Cornell University (1990-91); University of Washington (1992-93); University of Wisconsin-Madison (1994-95; 2000-present); Arizona State University (1996-97); University of Oregon (1998-99).