Program Overview

WISLI offers high-impact programs online for 30+ less commonly taught languages (LCTLs), organized by world region: Brazil, Central Asia, the Middle East and Mediterranean, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The eight-week program covers a full academic year’s worth of language study, allowing students to make significant gains in their target language. They earn eight credits and receive two transcript letter grades.

All courses meet live on Zoom Monday–Friday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. CDT. Each day includes four hours of instruction plus scheduled break times. The program includes 156-160 contact hours.

Each summer, undergraduates, graduate students, adult learners, and high school juniors and seniors—domestic and international—pursue academic, professional, and personal language goals at WISLI at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Heritage language learners—those who grew up hearing or using a language at home, with family, or in their communities—are also welcome.

How will I learn?

A proficiency-driven approach will help you build the skills to communicate spontaneously across a range of real-world contexts through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Learning goals align with ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and the NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements.

Will I be a UW–Madison student?

You will gain UW–Madison student status for the summer, with access to campus resources including library databases, University Health Services, the McBurney Disability Resource Center, career advising, and more.

How intensive is this really?

In addition to class time, please plan to devote an additional four hours per a day for homework and independent study. Due to the intensive pace, we encourage you to limit outside commitments—such as employment, doctoral research, caregiving, and other time-intensive responsibilities.

WISLI expands access with online courses for those who cannot fit language courses into the academic year or who want to study a language not offered at their home institution.

Small, interactive classes give you frequent opportunities to use the language, receive feedback, and work closely with experienced instructors trained in effective, student-centered language teaching.

Enhance your learning through conversation tables, career-focused workshops, and the WISLI Research Symposium—opportunities to practice language, explore culture, and build professional connections.

Hear from our alumni to learn more about what you can expect from WISLI!

Explore the institutes and languages below and contact wisli@lpo.wisc.edu with questions.

You many also schedule a Zoom appointment with a WISLI advisor.

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