The WISLI Digital Badge is a micro-credential that recognizes students who take their language learning beyond the classroom. By earning the badge, you will reflect on your progress, explore professional development opportunities, and plan your next steps for using and strengthening your language skills.
The badge includes verified information about the issuing organization, the criteria required to earn it, and the achievement it represents. This added context makes it easier to communicate your skills and accomplishments clearly and credibly on LinkedIn, your resume, and other online platforms.
This is a great opportunity to
- Communicate your language skills and accomplishments clearly to the world.
- Clarify your next steps for using and continuing to develop your language skills.
- Take advantage of extracurricular programming offered by WISLI.
Participation is optional but highly encouraged for students interested in professionalizing and extending their language learning! Please reach out to Dr. Ryan Goble if you are interested in pursuing the badge: wisli@lpo.wisc.edu
Click here to learn more about digital badges.
Who Is Eligible?
All 2026 WISLI students who have:
- Participated in select WISLI professional development workshops.
- Completed a self-assessment of language abilities with their instructor.
- Engaged in a language or career-focused conversation with a mentor.
Why Participate?
Badge earners will:
- Explain what you can do in your target language for real-world applications.
- Communicate the value of intensive language study.
- Connect your WISLI experience to future goals.
How to Earn the Badge?
Within four months after WISLI, submit the following:
- A reflective narrative (750-1000 words), guided reflection on your language development and future goals.
- A creative piece to share your language-learning story with a broader audience. (e.g., short blog post, reel, podcast, etc.)
Required Engagment Activities
To earn the WISLI Badge, you will complete activities that help you reflect on your language skills, explore professional opportunities, and plan for continued language learning.
1. Participate in WISLI Professional Development Programming
- Global Professionals session for your language program:
- CESSI Global Professionals Panel (06/19, 11 AM CDT)
- MEDLI: “The Middle East that America Just Can’t Get Away From” (06/19, 11 AM CDT)
- SASLI Global Professionals PaneI (06/19, 11 AM CDT)
- SEASSI Global Professionals PaneI (06/19, 11 AM CDT)
- SIPI: “The Value of Studying Portuguese Language and Culture” (06/19, 11 AM CDT)
- WISLI Professional Development Workshops
- Lead With Languages: Communicating Transferable and Technical Skills (06/23, 2 PM CDT)
- Launching Your International Career (07/14, 2 PM CDT)
- WISLI Keynote Address (07/23, 2 PM CDT)
- Strategies in Autonomous Language Learning: A Tool for Sustained Language Skills (07/28, 2 PM CDT)
In these sessions, take notes on how the commentary and perspectives shared during these events resonate with your own language-learning path and future goals. During at least one session, ask a thoughtful question that connects the discussion to your own experiences or plans for using your language skills.
2. Assess Your Language Skills
Complete a self-assessment of your language abilities and invite your instructor to complete a parallel assessment. Comparing the two assessments can help you identify your strengths and areas for continued growth. Rubrics will be provided by WISLI.
Intermediate and advanced students are encouraged to complete an assessment at both the beginning and the end of the program.
3. Complete a Language and Professional Consultation
Meet with at least one person with relevant experience or expertise to discuss your language skills, the value of learning an additional language, or strategies for continuing to use your language after the program. You may use the networking and informational-interview strategies introduced in the WISLI professional development workshops to speak with a multilingual professional. This conversation is an opportunity to learn from real-world experiences and think about your own next steps.
Some suggestions are:
- a WISLI workshop facilitator;
- your language instructor;
- a mentor, advisor, or faculty member;
- a multilingual professional;
- a regional expert identified in consultation with the UW–Madison regional centers..