The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Summer Language and Culture program offers 2-week or 4-week intensive, non-credit sessions that will allow participants to improve their language skills and confidence using English while also building their intercultural competence.
UWM is an R-1 research institution located in the midsized, midwestern city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee is a diverse city with a rich history and vibrant cultural scene. Situated on beautiful Lake Michigan and only 90 miles from Chicago, Milwaukee is an idea place for participants to deepen their cultural competency and improve their English language skills.
Interactive English Language Courses
Approximately 4 hours per day, Monday-Thursday
Participants will build skills and confidence in their communicative English ability through Reading/Writing and Speaking/Listening language classes. Participants will be integrated into morning language classes with other students participating in the English Language Academy’s summer language and culture program. Language courses will model a variety of teaching methods, including presentation/lecture, games, gap-fills, discussions, experiential learning, content-based instruction, and short writing assignments to expand vocabulary, improve speaking skills, and communicate with confidence. Integration with students from a variety of language backgrounds optimizes the use of English in the classroom and presents opportunities for cultural exchange.
English Language Project
Students will be paired with a fellow student to create a short film (about 5 minutes) about their experience during the summer language and culture program. Each pair will be assigned a theme. Themes include café culture, nature in the city, dorm life, language learning, tourism in Milwaukee, cultural differences, etc. Students will be required to record themselves experiencing the culture within these themes, interview other people, and create a final short film showcasing their experiences. They will be required to create their own story boards, write their own interview questions, do voice-overs, and present their films at a “film-screening” event.
End-of-Program Presentation and Certificate
During the last class-day of the program, participants will present their English Language Project video. After their presentations, each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion.
SLAC Plus
We also offer the SLAC Plus programming for special groups of students. The SLAC Plus programming includes additional classes and field-specific focused cultural excursions in a subject area of choice. For example, we currently have SLAC Plus programming available for engineering, art, and teaching and are looking to explore other subject areas. For these programs, English language courses take place in the morning and the Plus component takes place in the afternoons Monday – Thursday with some cultural activities on Fridays, a few evenings during the week, and on Saturdays. This is only available for special groups and is not available for individual students applying to the SLAC program.
If you are an agent or a school interested in SLAC Plus programming, please email us at el-academy@uwm.edu to get information about a SLAC Plus program proposal.
Dates
Due to lack of enrollments, our Summer 2025 program was cancelled. Please check back for Summer 2026 dates.
Two-Week Programs
4-Week Program
Costs
The estimated cost for a 2-week program is $3,590. The estimated cost for a 4-week program is $5,280. These costs are estimates based on one student and are subject to change. The cost of the program includes the following:
- 14 nights (2-week program) or 28 nights (4-week program) in the residence hall in a double-occupancy room (linens included)
- 2 meals a day in the residence hall cafeteria M-F plus a $100 ($150) Panther Cash card that can be used in participating campus area restaurants
- Arrival welcome dinner and welcome coffee & pastry reception orientation
- Interactive English language classes
- Administrative fee
- UWM Student ID
- Access to UWM’s recreational facility and Student Health and Wellness Center
- City of Milwaukee bus pass
- Online Michigan English Test for English course placement
- 12 Cultural excursions and activities which include transportation, entry fees, one lunch and one dinner
The cost of the program does not include visa fees, government SEVIS fee (if applicable), airfare, travel insurance that includes repatriation in the case of serious injury or death, airport shuttle transportation, or personal expenses. This is an estimate of program costs. Prices may change closer to the program’s start date.
Applying for a Visa
We recommend that students apply for a tourist (B2) visa for our program. However, we accept students with other visas and statuses as well, including:
- F2 visa
- US residents
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.
Please note: We do not accept students already on an F1 visa or who need an F1 visa.