Academic Preparation

Wisconsin English Second Language Institute

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Course description

This course is designed for...

✓ Students wishing to attend university in the US
✓ Students needing to improve academic & study skills before attending university
✓ Students wanting support in their transition to US university life

In addition to 26-35 hours of core academic language classes, students also receive 20 hours of structured practice. A Study Skills class and Writing Workshop are also part of the coursework. WESLI also has partner Universities who can offer a University Pathway to WESLI students, without the need for a TOEFL score.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-52 weeks
Classes per week
26 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 50 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
23 Dec 2024 - 27 Dec 2024

WESLI does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 12 students
Maximum 14 students

Student age

Age range 17 years old and older
Average 22 years old

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school
photos

Photos

  • City of Madison 1/25
  • City of Madison 2/25
  • City of Madison 3/25
  • Entrance to Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 4/25
  • Computer room at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 5/25
  • Classroom at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 6/25
  • Classroom at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 7/25
  • Classroom at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 8/25
  • Classroom at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 9/25
  • Classroom at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 10/25
  • Activities offered at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 11/25
  • Activities offered at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 12/25
  • Activities offered at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 13/25
  • Homestay housing offered by Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 14/25
  • Homestay housing offered by Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 15/25
  • Student residence offered by Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 16/25
  • Student residence offered by Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 17/25
  • Student residence offered by Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 18/25
  • Student residence offered by Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 19/25
  • Student residence offered by Wisconsin English Second Language Institute 20/25
  • UW-Madison Memorial Union 21/25
  • UW-Madison Memorial Union 22/25
  • UW-Madison Memorial Union 23/25
  • UW-Camp Randall Stadium 24/25
  • UW-Madison 25/25
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 17 reviews
5 stars
16
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"In this school, I felt as if each moment revealed new horizons of thought, where learning was a joy as endless as the pursuit of truth itself, and I could have stayed forever, growing with every breath of discovery."

Thea Helen Münzenmaier, student from Switzerland

My time at the school was unforgettable. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, and the students were open-hearted, embracing each other’s diverse backgrounds without judgment. Small classes fostered a close-knit, welcoming environment where everyone was eager to learn. The teachers were not only kind and funny but deeply dedicated, ensuring our progress with thoughtful lessons and just the right amount of homework. Their warmth brightened even the toughest Monday mornings. The school’s location and facilities were perfect, making me feel at home instantly, and the activities were always fun and varied. They truly made every moment special, and I highly recommend this school to anyone.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
5 weeks
Date of study
3 Sep 2024 - 11 Oct 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"The most friendly place to learn english"

MARIA Cera, student from Colombia

I have to say that WESLI was for me the best place where to study which i've never found. Most of the teachers have a long trajectory teachng english to students who came from many different countries. That is specialy great because they already know and easely recognice the most common or potential mistakes accordng with your native laguage. With that in mind, they give you particular piece of advice that you will never forget. Usually the groups to teach are small enough, thus teachers may know you significantly and you will certainly recieve a personal class.

Wesli offers a great deal of activitiese and the city of Madison aswell. For sure the kind of activities depends on the season, but they have things to do indoors and outdoors. For example, I will never forget that was thanks of one those activities that Wesli organiced that I was able to Sky for the first time in my life. Those social events are the best places to practice anglish because you are arround people from many countries where inglish will be the bridge to communicate each other, and truth me, you gonna want to know them and make new friends.

Sincerely I can say that if you dicede to study at Wesly you will not belong just as a student in a school, but as a member of a pretty family. While i was attending it, i saw how people who studied there many years ago arrive to wave at their old teachers and the whole group that still is part if the school.

I had a good experience with them, I hope you too.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
2 May 2018 - 23 Jun 2018
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Best choice that you can make!"

Stefanie Wiesmayer

WESLI was for me the perfect place for improving my English, especially in Business terminology and for having the opportunity to socialize with other open people in my age from different countries. The diversity makes it so interesting, you get to know different cultures, behaviors and habits, and afterwards you can say you have made friends from all over the world! The atmosphere at WESLI is just great, everyone, also the staff, is open, friendly and helpful, when you are inside everbody knows almost everyone and because of this relaxed environment, WESLI feels more like a little family instead of a serious language school. I have learned a lot during my stay, also all the offered activities are just fun and are great to meet new people. I really enjoyed my only class (I was a part-time student), as my teacher Micheal was so funny, engaged, patient and motivated. The bottom line is: join WESLI and you won't regret it!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
5 Mar 2018 - 29 Apr 2018
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"It was an amazing experience! I love WESLI!"

Junyi Pei

I am a Chinese student, and my college major is law. I want to become an excellent scholar and researcher in this field in the future.

One year ago, I heard a lot of information about WESLI from my friend Penelope, and she was studying at WESLI at that time. She told me that WESLI is very helpful and offers a good opportunity to study with many experienced teachers, and she strongly recommended me studying at WESLI. At that time I was preparing for my master degree and worrying about my English ability, so I decided to come to WESLI.

I studied at WESLI for a year. I still remember the first time I came to WESLI. It was a snowy morning, and I had never experienced such a freezing weather before. Honestly, I felt unhappy at that time. However, all my bad feelings disappeared when I arrived at WESLI because I found everyone were very friendly and amiable, and it made me feel warm and comfortable.
I changed a lot because of this amazing experience. Before I studied at WESLI, I could not communicate with foreigners freely since my spoken English was awful! Also, I could not read academic journals, and I had never thought I can give a presentation in English. However, I made many new friends from different countries, and I read a lot of articles and books and gave a lot of presentations in my class. All these amazing things became true because of WESLI!

My teachers were awesome! They helped me practice my English again and again, and they were willing to answer all the questions. With their help, I became more confident, and my English improved a lot. In addition, my classes were very helpful. I learned how to write academic articles and evaluate them in my writing class, and I watched many academic lectures and learned how to take notes in my listening and speaking class. I think all the things I learned from WESLI can help me adapt to the American college life easily in the future.

I have to say that I love Madison. People were very friendly, and the environment is super awesome! It's a good place for both living and studying. I lived in the dorm, and I loved it! The dorm is close to WESLI which is very convenient for students.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
51 weeks
Date of study
1 Mar 2016 - 24 Feb 2017
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"One of the greatest experience of my life abroad!"

Davide Traversa, student from Italy

My experience at Wesli School was unfortunately just for two weeks, but was one of the best experiences of my life. The school was exactly what I expected. The teachers were professional but very friendly and funny. The lessons prepared me for advanced grammar, communication, speak in public etc. Also the extra activities (like hours of conversation or writing) were great and the initiatives (pizza lunch, parade) was a good way to meet people and improve my English. In the school there were students from all over the world (Saudi Arabia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Burkina Faso, etc.) and this was a good way to learn more about different culture.
Last but not least, the city was amazing and I enjoyed my experience in a home-stay.
Definitely recommended.
I hope to return there for an interesting session.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
31 Oct 2016 - 11 Nov 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Katherine Perreth, Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
08 December 2016

We are so glad we met your expectations and that you had a wonderful time with us, although it was short. We look forward to having you return to continue your English studies with us, Davide! On behalf of all at WESLI, Happy Holidays!

"Learning language and making friends!"

Tung Ya Han

The academic classes were useful, and the teachers were able to help their students. Madison is a good place with fresh air and friendly people.The dorm is near the school. There were also a lot of fun activities in Madison.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
5 Jul 2016 - 24 Aug 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
13 September 2016

Dear Ya Han,

Our teachers are so pleased to hear that you found them helpful, and our academic classes useful! Thank you for telling us.

Life outside of WESLI classrooms is so important to learning English and culture, and we are glad to hear that you found Madison healthy, friendly and fun! We love our city because it has so much to offer: sports, live music, art and other museums, as well as many free cultural events. It sounds like you took advantage of this. :) The convenience of living in our dormitory makes it so easy to participate in Madison's unique culture.

We wish you the best in your future!

"The best experience in my life!"

Silvia Ruggieri

I liked the school so much including all of my teachers and my classes. I learned a lot about language and several skills and all was very interesting and amusing.
I really enjoyed all the activities that Wesli proposed us and the school's location were perfect except for the dorm:
it was a little expensive, we had no good tables and lights in our apartments and we had a lot of difficulty using the common room to study since it was always closed, sometimes it was closed even during weekdays and it was always closed in the evening when we needed to study.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
1 Jul 2016 - 24 Aug 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
13 September 2016

Dear Silvia,

Thank you for telling us this was the best experience of your life! We so enjoyed having you study at WESLI this summer, your personality lights up a room, and we are glad that your English improved. We love to show off our city, including its natural beauty, by scheduling activities such as the outdoor movie on the lakeshore of UW-Madison, and boat ride on Lake Mendota. We're happy to hear you enjoyed these activities. We agree with you - our location is excellent, right on the capitol square of downtown Madison, close to shops, coffee houses/restaurants, music, museums, parks and so many wonderful events. Thank you for alerting us to the problems you had in the dormitory, Silvia. We are so sorry to hear about the locked common room, and are making sure that doesn't happen any longer. As for the lighting, we are working on fixing that problem as well. Again, thank you so much for your feedback, it helps us to improve. Best wishes to you Silvia.

"I had a great learning experience at WESLI!"

Ruixian Zhang

All the teachers here are very kind and professional. They are willing to help you improve your English and they answer all kinds of questions patiently. Since they have rich experiences on teaching international students, they can easily assess your problem and help you solve it. What’s more, the courses taught at WESLI fit every student’s need, and you can improve your language skills a lot after you finish each level.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
30 Jun 2016 - 24 Aug 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
13 September 2016

Dear Ruixian,

We are delighted to hear that you found our teachers kind and patient, as well as professional. That's so important to us! Like you, we believe our teachers are highly skilled: they have a minimum 5 years' ESL teaching experience and/or Masters in ESL plus experience. It is great to hear you explain how they are able to help you, and that you can see the increased improvement in your English ability as you rise through each level. Thank you so much for letting us know! Best wishes to you, Ruixian, and keep using your English. :)

"Learning culture is as important as learning English is."

Shoichi Tsuji

The teachers who worked at WESLI ere very friendly and enthusiastic.
They taught me not only English but also cultural activities including sports.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
16 weeks
Date of study
28 Apr 2016 - 24 Aug 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
13 September 2016

Dear Shoichi,

Thank you for letting us know that you found our teachers both enthusiastic and friendly, as they helped you improve your English. We value a positive learning experience! We are sure that the activities and sports you participated in also helped you better understand English. Learning English can be fun! Best wishes to you, Shoichi.

"Outstanding experience with a lot of students from different countries"

Luciano Labanca

I really enjoyed my time in WESLI because it's a wonderful community, where teachers and students worked together for the same goal! I had a busy session in which I'm sure that my English improved! The WESLI method of teaching was very intensive, with a lot of homework and I always tried to do it! I had three wonderful classes: GS 700, that helped me understand better some difficult grammar structures and learn to use them in speaking: Reading and vocabulary, that was wonderful, we've read two exciting books of Firoozeh Dumas and we get tolearn a lot of new words: Communication and culture, that was outstanding to know other cultures and share information about our different countries. I also want to mention the wonderful activities that WESLI offered every week during the course. It was a fantastic opportunity given to students to stay together and know themselves and the city of Madison better!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
30 Jun 2016 - 24 Aug 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
13 September 2016

Dear Luciano,

Thank you for pointing out the diversity of WESLI students; we currently have students from 5 continents. When you were studying this summer, your schoolmates were from 23 countries! We believe student diversity is an important part of learning English as students experience the WESLI method of teaching: interactive immersion. Our teachers are happy to know your opinion on the details of your "3 wonderful classes," as well as your description of being diligent in doing your homework. This is what our teachers want and expect. In addition, we are pleased to hear you describe WESLI as a "wonderful community." Thank you! We expect our students to continue learning even outside of the classroom, so we are very happy to hear that you participated in our weekly activities - to have fun, make friends and enjoy our lovely city while improving your English! Best wishes to you, Luciano.

"WESLI is a professional school and I would recommend it."

Quentin Putlitz, student from Switzerland

The location of the school is perfect: down town close to the Capitol and the bus stops. The teachers there were high motivated, professional and they have a huge amount of experience in teaching English and handling foreign students. The number of students per class was excellent to ensure some progress.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
30 Jun 2016 - 20 Jul 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
26 August 2016

Dear Quentin,

Thank you for your opinion on the number of students we allow per class. We agree with you! We believe small, interactive classes are most conducive to learning English. This allows teachers to really get to know students individually, their strengths and weakness in English, which enhances learning. Our teachers are delighted to know that you found them very experienced, highly motivated and professional. We also love our location on the Capitol Square, across the street from the Wisconsin capitol, where so many free events occur. The first 2 weekends in September 2016, the Capitol Square hosted 250,000 visitors for Taste of Madison, and then 45,000 people lined the routes cheering on Ironman Wisconsin. As you rightly pointed out, public transportation is easily available from the Capitol Square, and there are so many places to explore in Madison. We believe our city is a great place to be while learning English at WESLI and having fun and are so glad you had a positive experience with us. Best wishes to you, Quentin!

"An unforgettable experience for your life"

María Ripollés Lobo

When I arrived to WESLI I met great people the first day. Orientation Day is a good day to know about WESLI and the teachers helped us to be comfortable. WESLI is a excellent Language Institute, I think that I have learned a lot within only six week. For example the teachers help us to understand the subjects and they resolve all doubts that you have. Another example was, every week we had two or three exams to see the progress of students. Taking those exams was a fantastic way to study and learn more. You can see you progress in your academic notes!
The best example to show why you should choose Madison is because you can do a lot of fun activities with your friends, for example Kayak, watch free movies and free music concerts, going to amusement parks, swimming in the lake, see wonderful views.
In conclusion, I have had the best experience of my life in Madison thanks to WESLI. I have made friends with different people around the world, I have learned about a lot of cultures and I have learned English. I only can say good things about WESLI.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
5 weeks
Date of study
5 Jul 2016 - 14 Aug 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
26 August 2016

Dear Maria,

Since you studied at WESLI for less than a full session, we are very pleased to hear you learned so much and call your WESLI experience "the best experience" of your life. Thank you, this is great news! We appreciate knowing from you that you found the weekly exams beneficial and that you could actually see your quick progress. The administrative people you met during your first few days at WESLI strive to make our students feel welcome and comfortable in a new culture. We understand how important this is, as many of us have lived overseas ourselves and remember well our first days! We are also pleased to know that you fully participated in the WESLI activities, were able to make friends with so many people from different countries, and broadened your knowledge of the world, all while learning English at WESLI. Best wishes to you, Maria.

"Going to WESLI has been the best thing that I ever done in my life. I learned a lot and I met great people."

Janine Spuler, student from Switzerland

WESLI classes were the best part of my personal life. I learned a lot from WESLI - not just how to write and speak in English, but also how to make new true friends, how other cultures work, and how to adjust in another country. WESLI is placed on the Capitol square, the State Street is near and there are a bunch of fun stores that you can visit. If you get bored or are homesick there are really cool activities that WESLI makes, such as going to Chicago or having a pizza party and so on. I really want to thank WESLI for making my America visit perfect; I had such a great time.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
4 weeks
Date of study
31 Aug 2015 - 2 Oct 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
26 August 2016

Dear Janine,

First, I apologize for this very long delay in responding! There was some technical trouble and we did not realize you had posted a review.

We are so glad to hear that you credit WESLI for making your 2015 American visit "perfect" - that means so much to us. Thank you! We want our students to enjoy our city, culture and country while studying, and you did! Cultural knowledge and adaptation is a big part of the learning process. Making "new true friends" while learning how to write and speak in English is a great accomplishment, and what we want for every one of our students. We hope you will be able to return some day, but if not, we are so glad to hear you call your time here "the best thing" you ever did in your life. Best wishes to you, Janine.

"Great staff, awesome teachers, INCREDIBLE learning system. I'd come back and study there again!"

Andres Eloy Castillo Cabrera

In general, WESLI is just incredible. It has an awesome learning system (which I fell in love with), computers to do the assigned homework, and more. The teachers are awesome because they aren't just your teachers, they are also willing to help you whenever you want. Also, the location makes everything easier because it is downtown. You can find literally whatever you want in less than 10 minutes of walking. The dorms and the housing are awesome (I lived in both places); however, those places are kind of expensive. WESLI also organizes trips for its students, such as going to Chicago, Mall of America, to baseball games, and others.

WESLI is just amazing. Their teachers, their people, the place, and the people who live in Madison are also amazing. This experience is just indescribable.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
62 weeks
Date of study
10 May 2013 - 22 Jul 2014
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
13 September 2016

Dear Andres,

First, please accept my apology for this long delay in responding! We had some technical difficulty and didn't see your post until recently.

Thank you for describing WESLI as "amazing" and our learning system as "awesome" - 2 great "A" words :) We are pleased to know that you loved WESLI's teaching method and your teachers. The convenience and excitement of studying English in a vibrant and safe downtown capitol city is one of our great benefits, as you rightly point out. If our students want to experience larger American cities, they will enjoy our trips to Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis - as you did! We are so glad that you were able to study with us for over a year, and miss seeing your great smile in our hallways. Yes, we agree, our dormitory and homestay housing options can be expensive - especially compared to housing in other countries. We try hard to keep housing affordable, and do have the advantage of being located in Madison. Our city is much less expensive than those on the East and West Coasts of the U.S., as well as bigger regional cities such as Chicago. You say you'd like for return for future English study, and we definitely want to see you again, Andres! Best wishes to you.

"For me, studying was wonderful at WESLI."

Fernando Amondarain.

For me, studying was wonderful at WESLI. The teachers had big dedication and respect for the students. The organization was good. The classes began on schedule. The extra school activities were very fun. The location of the school was very appropriate. The facilities were good. I have not seen anything that has displeased me. I think that in the future, I will come back to study at WESLI.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
2 Mar 2015 - 27 Mar 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
13 September 2016

Dear Fernando,

I apologize for the delayed response! We had technical trouble and did not see this post until recently.

We are so glad to hear you say that there was nothing at all that was a problem for you. Thank you! Our teachers are happy to know you noticed their dedication, organization, punctuality and respectfulness. They are professionals who take their job seriously. We are also glad to know our activities met your expectations for enjoyment and our location suited you. All terrific! Sometimes students are surprised by our facility: our school looks small from the outside, but as you know, it is not. WESLI is located in a unique, historic Madison landmark building, with 21st century technology throughout. We are so glad you enjoyed studying in our lovely building and hope to have you return for future English improvement! Best wishes, Fernando.

"I got an academic level of English and at the same time I had a blast!"

Albany S Cedeño Berroteran

Wesli is my home in Wisconsin. I can't thank enough the teachers and staff members. They were clear in their explanations, helpful and very patient. There are awesome classes that anyone could take, in order to improve or learn English. In addition to that, what could be better than going to school in front of the Capitol building? Wesli is located downtown Madison which means that there are many museums, libraries, parks, and other places to visit. That is special and convenient quality. I didn't participate in all of the activities offered during the time I was studying, but I enjoyed the most the ones I went to. I have almost no complaints about Wesli as school. When I had a problem, someone help me. I love Wesli and all the people who work and decide to study there.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
67 weeks
Date of study
6 Jan 2014 - 23 Apr 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Katherine Perreth, WESLI Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
11 April 2016

Dear Albany,

First, I apologize for this long delay in responding to your wonderful review. We had technical difficulty and didn't see this until recently.

Thank you so much for telling us we are your home in Wisconsin! What a great compliment to hear. Our teachers are so pleased to hear you describe their teaching abilities: clear explanations, helpful and patient. You enjoyed the variety of classes we offer, which is great to know, as well as our convenient , vibrant and unique location. It's exactly how I feel about coming in to work at WESLI: what could be better than working in a school in front of the Capitol building? (I have been here for over 10 years, and still enjoy walking into work!) We pride ourselves in helping our students solve problems, whether in English or in life. Thank you so much for sending us your love, and best wishes to you, Albany!

"Well-equipped rooms, very motivated and excellent teachers and a beautiful city."

Jan, student from Germany

The school looks very small if you see it from the street. However, it is larger than you think. In the basement is a lounge and a kitchen as well as a very well equipped computer lab. Each classroom has a huge flat screen for presentations, videos etc.

The class size vary a lot, but it is not to large. Thus, the teacher can respond to each individual student.

All teachers who taught me were very motivated, polite and very well in teaching. They answered all my questions until I understood the subject.

On my first day, I had an interview and a test. After that, WESLI recommended several classes for me. If you think your choices were wrong, you have the possibility to switch the class within three days. However, I would recommend to ask and discuss the possibilities for the class at your first day at WESLI very well with the teacher before you make your choice!

The school organize a lot of events during the sessions like trips to cities, outlets, or movie nights. WESLI also helps you to apply at a University and tries to support you at any other issue.

Madison is a beautiful city even though it is not a big city (~240,000). In the winter it is very cold (-20 to -5°C), but in the summer it is all the more warmer (25 to 35°C). The lakes are nice and it is a pleasure to spend time at those or at night at the Union Terrace. You have also the possibility to travel easily to Chicago or Milwaukee. If you want to travel more far away, you will find a lot of cheap flights from the Madison airport.

After the session at WESLI and the time in Madison my English is much better than before. It was worth the time and the money.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
27 Oct 2014 - 19 Dec 2014
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
Katherine Perreth, Administration at Wisconsin English Second Language Institute responded to this review.
20 January 2015

Thank you very much for this great review! I have sent it to all of our staff. We are so pleased to know that your experience at WESLI and in Madison was very positive and valuable - especially, that your English has improved so much! Our teachers are happy to hear that you found their teaching thorough and personal. We like to keep our classes small for those very reasons. Thank you for telling us how much you enjoyed your time at WESLI and in Madison! Good luck with your future!

housing

Housing

WESLI offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - No meals

£ 183
weekly
Age range: 17 years old and older
Location: Madison, WI
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 45 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
£ 183
WESLI can arrange a homestay with an American host. Please let us know when you apply.

Staying with an American host is a great opportunity to experience American culture and practice English.

WESLI has been placing students in homestay families for 30 years.
All hosts have been visited by the WESLI Housing Coordinator.

Your American host may be a couple with or without children, or a single person.

Most homestay locations are 5 to 10 kilometers from WESLI, about 25 to 45 minutes by bus.
A 31-day bus pass costs $65.

You will have a private room. You will be responsible for your own meals.

Most hosts do not permit smoking in the house, and many don’t accept smokers.

Homestay Security Deposit: $200. This money is refunded if the room is not damaged.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

£ 242
weekly
Age range: 17 years old and older
Location: Madison, WI
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (21 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 45 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
£ 242
WESLI can arrange a homestay with an American host. Please let us know when you apply.

Staying with an American host is a great opportunity to experience American culture and practice English.

WESLI has been placing students in homestay families for 30 years.
All hosts have been visited by the WESLI Housing Coordinator.

Your American host may be a couple with or without children, or a single person.

Most homestay locations are 5 to 10 kilometers from WESLI, about 25 to 45 minutes by bus.
A 31-day bus pass costs $65.

You will have a private room and food provided.

Most hosts do not permit smoking in the house, and many don’t accept smokers.

Homestay Security Deposit: $200. This money is refunded if the room is not damaged.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

If you are studying full time in the United States for more than 18 hours per week, you will receive an I-20 that you need to submit to the US embassy along with your F-1 student visa application. The I-20 has a SEVIS tracking number on it. Students who wish to apply for a student visa must pay the SEVIS fee online before going to the US embassy or consulate for their visa interview.

Your I-20 will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged $100 when you register.

Please note that United States law states that an I-20 can only be issued to students who intend to pursue full-time English language studies. United States law does not permit students to study part-time with an F-1 Student Visa. If you are studying for less than 18 hours per week, you have to apply for a Visitor Visa (B1/B2) on your own.

Learn more about how to get a US student visa »

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Madison based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Wisconsin English Second Language Institute staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

Ask a question
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