Interested in applying for the Summer Language and Culture PLUS program? Complete the following application requirements:
Complete the online application by April 1st.
Provide English Language Proficiency Scores for a low-intermediate (CEFR B1) level.
Submit a CEFR B1 score from one of the English proficiency tests below or take an English placement test provided by the English Language Academy and receive an equivalent CEFR B1 score. Below are the different test options for English placement tests and their equivalencies for a low-intermediate (B1 CEFR) level.
- IELTS – minimum score of 4
- TOEFL iBT –minimum score of 50 (pre 1/21/2026) and 3 (post 1/21/2026)
- TOEFL Essentials – minimum score of 5
- Duolingo – minimum score of 60
- MET – minimum score of 41
Pay the non-refundable $150 deposit to secure your place in the program.
Please note: There is a 14 participant minimum for each PLUS content program. If we do not receive 14 participants for the program by April 1st, applicants will be notified by email of the program cancellation and will receive a refund for the $150 deposit. Application fee is only refundable in the case of program cancellation.
English Placement Test
You will need to demonstrate a low-intermediate level of English proficiency to participate in the program, equal to a Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) B1 level. You will be placed into their interactive English classes before arriving at UWM by either providing an English placement test score from one of the approved English placement tests listed above OR by taking the Michigan English Test (MET), an online language assessment, provided by the English Language Academy. If you choose to take the Michigan English Test, once we receive your application and application fee, we will email instructions and a link to take the test. You will be placed into your English class based on the results of your language proficiency assessment. If taking the MET, you are required to complete the test without any assistance from translators, dictionaries, other people, or any other available language tools.
Language Proficiency Test Scores & CEFR Levels
| CEFR | Duolingo | IELTS | TOEFL IBT | TOEFL Essentials | MET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | 60-100 | 4-5 | 42-68 (pre 1/21/26) 3 – 3.5 (post 1/21/2026) | 5-7.5 | 41-50 |
| B2 | 105-115 | 5.5-6 | 69-78 (pre 1/21/26) 4-4.5 (post 1/21/2026) | 8-9.5 | 51-61 |
| C1+ | 120+ | 6.5-7 | 79+ (pre 1/21/26) 5+ (post 1/21/2026) | 10-11.5 | 62-80 |
Applying for a Visa
We will not issue F-1 visas for this 2-week program. We recommend that students apply for a tourist (B-2) visa for our program. However, we accept students with other visas and statuses as well, including:
- F-2 visa
- U.S. residents
- An F-1 visa issued by UWM or a different institution for a degree program beginning in the 30-day window of entry to the U.S.
If you have a different visa than what is listed above and you would like to attend our program, please email us at el-academy@uwm.edu to verify if we accept your visa type.
Important Dates
- Program Dates: August 9-22, 2026
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Program Acceptance Notification: no later than April 15, 2026
- Dormitory Application Opens: April 15, 2026
- Dormitory Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
- Full Payment Due: June 15, 2026
- Arrival Date and Orientation: August 8, 2026
- Program Start Date: August 9, 2026
- Last Day of Program: August 22, 2026
- Departure Date: August 23, 2026
Refund Policy
- The application fee must be paid at the time of the initial application and is not refundable.
- The deadline to pay the program fee is June 15, 2026, and is not refundable, except if the visa is denied. To request a refund, email el-academy@uwm.edu , including the participant’s full name and evidence of visa denial.