Eight weeks: that’s all it takes to ignite your language skills at the Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes (WISLI) at UW–Madison. WISLI offers a unique approach to language instruction due to its intensive environment that allows students to focus full-time on their language learning. The eight-week summer programs, equivalent to two semesters of study, engage students in over 30 less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) that cultivate proficiency and a deep understanding of language and culture. Students of all levels are encouraged to apply, whether they are starting from scratch or looking to enhance existing language skills.
Proficiency-Oriented Programs
WISLI’s pedagogy centers around a proficiency-based approach. The primary goal isn’t just memorization, but developing learners’ abilities and knowledge to use the language in natural, everyday situations.
“The key to proficiency-oriented language learning is being able to use language in a real-world context and engage with authentic materials,” said Felecia Lucht, academic director of the Language Program Office. “Being able to communicate with others from all over the world in a way that is meaningful, I think that’s really the key.”
This focus on practical application ensures that students are well-prepared for future language use in academic, professional, and personal contexts. Razima Chowdhury, a WISLI pedagogy coordinator and senior lecturer of Bangla/Bengali at Cornell University, explains that the approach is eclectic, providing students with the building blocks they need to confidently communicate through speaking, writing, reading, and listening. The emphasis is on what students can do with the language, not just what they know about it. This backward design, as Chowdhury describes it, ensures that all classroom activities are geared towards specific learning outcomes.
This unique approach allows students to use the language from the very first day. Imagine the satisfaction of ordering a meal in the target language, engaging in meaningful dialogue with native speakers, or even dreaming in a newly acquired tongue.
“When you are speaking the target language in your dream, you know that it has gotten to you,” shared Chowdhury. “And right around the end of the program when we ask students ‘Are you arguing in your new language? Are you thinking in the target language?’ or whatever you used to do in English before and then [switching] those habits into the new target language…those reflections are the most fun part.”
Close-Knit Classrooms
WISLI’s small class sizes, with an average of 4-6 students per class, allow instructors to engage with students on a daily basis, providing personalized attention and addressing individual needs. This method, coupled with the small classroom dynamic, supports student learning by creating a sense of community.
“With the smaller class sizes, it intensifies the interactions that we have in the classroom among the students as well as with the teacher,” says Erlin Barnard, Language Specialist for Less Commonly Taught Languages. “That is a key point that brings student proficiency towards the higher level. Those are the types of interactions that we can make happen due to our small classes.”
Nurturing Exceptional Educators
WISLI assembles a highly skilled team of approximately 40 instructional staff each summer, including pedagogy coordinators and teaching assistants. While these educators arrive with expertise in their respective fields, WISLI plays a crucial role in further developing their skills by investing in instructor preparation and ongoing professional development.
Before each summer term, instructors participate in a weeklong pre-service orientation. This experience equips diverse language program instructors with the essential information, resources, and training needed to succeed at WISLI and enhance their teaching at their home institutions.
In addition to formal training, WISLI is a collaborative community that allows instructors to refine their craft. The program encourages the exchange of ideas, networking, best practices, and mentorship across language programs, resulting in a rich sharing of materials and innovative teaching approaches.
Nâlân Erbil, UW-Madison teaching faculty and a pedagogy coordinator at WISLI for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean languages, highlighted the unique collegiality among instructors, noting, “It’s not only the supervisor role between the individual instructors, but all of the instructors try to help each other here. I think that is distinct from many other places I have seen. That is the spirit that we try to cultivate here.”
The WISLI Advantage
WISLI’s unique approach to intensive language instruction offers several distinct advantages. The combination of proficiency-driven learning, small class sizes, a supportive community, and comprehensive instructor training creates a learning environment that leaves a lasting impact on students’ lives. In just eight weeks, WISLI delivers the equivalent of two semesters of language study, enabling students to take their language skills to the next level and giving them a significant advantage in their academic and professional pursuits.
Interested in learning more about WISLI? Explore their many Summer Language Institutes, contact wisli@lpo.wisc.edu, or schedule a Zoom appointment with a WISLI advisor.
Story by Kayla Daum