(Madison | United States )
Wisconsin English Second Language Institute (WESLI )
About Wisconsin English Second Language Institute (WESLI )
WESLI has been training teacher since 1999 and General English since 1981. You can find us in downtown Madison, Wisconsin – just across the street from the state capitol building. Madison, located in the heart of the mid-west, is a medium-sized city, which is friendly, very safe and inexpensive to live in. There are a number of universities in town, for example the internationally top-ranked University of Wisconsin Madison. Students can choose to stay with homestay families or in our Dormitory.
Many of our staff and teachers have been with us at WESLI for more than 15 years and most of our administrative staff members also teach or have done so in the past. That way students can be sure to always have a helping hand from someone with a passion for helping students and the experience to do so.
We offer 7 levels (zero level to University Bridge) of English instruction in the areas of Business English, General English & American Culture, Test Prep. and Academic Preparation. Over 40 universities and colleges accept our students without a TOEFL score. Students are welcome to study for any length of time and we are very proud to offer a 5-week Teacher Training Program, including a 30-hour Practicum.
Additional Services
- Airport/Station transfer
- Student counselling
- Visa support
Work and Further Studies
- Further academic studies available on campus
Activities
- Cultural tourism (theater, museum, etc.)
- Local cultural events (festivals, etc.)
- Volunteering
Accommodation
- Host family accommodation without students of same native language
- Host family accommodation
- Student Residence
Courses
General English
89% 15 Reviews
This course is for students aged: 16-70
You can mix and match WESLI’s English courses to suit your goals. There are seven levels at WESLI, 100 – 700. Full-time students will choose four courses in the level in which they are placed. If you want to learn English for your own enjoyment, you can take any of the following courses to learn and have fun!
Levels
Beginning Levels (100, 200 and 300): After completing Level 300, a student can conduct basic conversations, manage everyday life in an English-speaking environment, and read and write simple material.
Intermediate Levels (400 and 500): After completing Level 500, a student can converse comfortably on most subjects, read some basic academic and professional texts, and write an academic-style essay.
Advanced Academic and Business Skill Levels (600 and 700): After completing levels 600 and 700, a student can conduct business in English, participate in most professional situations, and is ready to succeed in an American university program.
English Exam Preparation
0% 0 Reviews
This course is for students aged: 16-70
Prepare to Take the IELTS or TOEFL Exam at WESLI
WESLI’s exam preparation classes are designed to help you succeed on English placement exams. Our teachers are experienced in test preparation and can help you improve your study skills and assess your progress.
Only need practice writing? Choose from IELTS or TOEFL Writing to focus your test preparation. Want a more comprehensive review for the exam? Choose IELTS or TOEFL Listening/Reading/Speaking classes to help you prepare.
English Academic preparation
90% 13 Reviews
This course is for students aged: 16-70
WESLI has partnered with the University of Wisconsin College System to offer three- credit college classes at WESLI. This is a great opportunity for WESLI students to earn college credit while still studying at WESLI. These credits can be transferred to UW schools and count towards a student’s general education requirements, no matter what major they choose.
Business English
0% 0 Reviews
This course is for students aged: 16-70
Class Sizes: Medium, 6-10 students, One-to-One
Weekly Hours: Relaxed 10-15 hrs/wk, Intensive 25+ hrs/wk, General 15-25 hrs/wk
Levels: Advanced, Intermediate, Basic
Location Type: Town/City
Professional English
0% 0 Reviews
This course is for students aged: 16-70
Business and Professional Skills
You can mix and match WESLI’s English courses to suit your professional goals. There are seven levels at WESLI, 100 – 700. Full-time students will choose four courses in the level in which they are placed. If your goal is to improve your English for your profession, the following courses will help you reach that goal.
English Teacher Training
100% 4 Reviews
This course is for students aged: 16-70
Levels: Advanced
Class Sizes: Medium, 6-10 students
Weekly Hours: Intensive 25+ hrs/wk
Location Type: Town/City
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What students are saying
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郭潔如 Taiwan
studied General EnglishWESLI Rocks!!!
Everyone knows I LOVE WESLI so much!!!
I'd studied at WESLI for one year. I took almost all of classes with almost all of teachers. I gotta say WESLI teachers are different - their personalities and teaching styles, but all of them are AMAZING! I learned different strategies from different teachers. I practiced and experienced them, and then I was able to find my own way to learn English. Moreover, I can continue working on English efficiently by myself, even when I'm out of school, which is soooo incredible!!!
I'd been studying for almost 20 years before studying at WESLI, but honestly, it was the first time that I felt so excited being a student. I was EAGER to learn and even looking forward to some challenges every day. Now, I'm not only confident in speaking English, but also confident in myself. The things I learned at WESLI were far more than just English.
Thank you, WESLI, the best school ever!
posted 8 years ago
Mini Ruby Japan
studied General EnglishBeing a part of WESLI family
I think many people want to study English but people may be afraid of studying abroad alone especially if you aren't familiar with the place. I was kind of that person. But I was very surprised when coming to WESLI. Teachers were very kind, interesting and helpful. Also it was easy to make friends from different countries because there were many activities and I stayed at the dormitory so I could stayed with friends. I felt like being a part of WESLI family. Also, there were many levels so I could improve myself.
I was very shy to speak English but now here I am! I could be friendly and am enjoying to speak English.
This is because of WESLI. I am very happy to study there. I miss WESLI so much too xoxo
posted 8 years ago
Estefany Ventura Semidey Venezuela
studied General EnglishGreat experience
WESLI is definitely a good place to go to if you want to come to the USA to learn English but also to have a generally great experience. My favorite thing about being a student at WESLI was that, besides English, you also have the chance to learn about so many different cultures and interact with a lot of people from other countries, and I think that's a huge enriching experience. WESLI is also very good in training you for school if you're planning on staying in the states for your degree. Everybody is really nice and very willing to help as well. I've been a student at WESLI in two different ocations and both times I was very satisfied.
posted 8 years ago
Angélica Lozano Colombia
studied General EnglishBest experience ever.
My experience in Wesli and Madison was great. Loved the school, classes, teachers and friends. I improved my English skills and Wesli gave me a letter recommendation to study a PhD class at the UW. Madison is a lovely place to live. Everything is beautiful.
posted 8 years ago
이현진 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
studied General Englishworthwhile educational experiences
I've taken several classes in the Wesli for 10 months, and I haven't regretted taking them. In the Wesli, there are super professional teachers who are still studying English, and I can't tell you how much I was impressed when I met them at first. Anyway, the distinct thing is that you can improve your English a lot in the Wesli.
posted 8 years ago
Nick Friese United States
studied English Teacher TrainingInvaluable experience
WESLI is an amazing program for both the teacher training and the English language learners. It is a very open and welcoming community that pays personal attention to everyone's individual needs and goals. Thanks to the teacher training program, I developed a much more professional CV along with an organized portfolio, while also gaining real experience teaching to an actual class of learners! Not only that, but I was employed in less than a month after the program thanks to the job search portion! IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFULLY TEFL CERTIFIED, look no further than WESLI!!
posted 7 years ago
Ben Li United States
studied English Teacher TrainingLiving the Dream
Hello! My name is Ben Li. I am a WTTP (WESLI Teacher Training Program) alumnus and am currently living the dream in Taipei, Taiwan. That’s not to say I haven’t experienced my fair share of culture shock, but I have a meaningful and fulfilling job teaching English to children that leaves me with enough mental energy, time and money to immerse myself in Taiwanese culture. I am having a wonderful time, and it is thanks--in no small part--to my time at WESLI. Not only were WESLI teachers instrumental in me getting a job, but even more importantly, they comprehensively prepared me to be successful in it. Here’s a quick flyby of what the WTTP did for me and what it might do for you!
Almost every job posting that I looked at either required or preferred a TEFL certificate--the certification is a big deal. Most places also required a demo video with your application, and unless you’re already a teacher, I doubt you’ll have a better opportunity to make a demo video than during the WTTP practicum. Finally, during and even well after the program, WESLI teachers were more than happy to offer professional support such as resume feedback, writing recommendation letters and even scrutinizing employment contracts.
The WTTP is made up of two parts: core courses (foundations, skills and grammar review) and practicum (teaching, tutoring and observations). Having the opportunity to teach 10 hours of a real ESL class as well as observe both veterans and peers in action provided indispensable experience--please don’t get your TEFL online! I can’t imagine the nightmare my first few weeks as a teacher would have been without 30 hours of practicum under my belt--not to mention how little my students would have learned. In addition, the core courses really opened my eyes to just how much being a native English speaker does not automatically translate into being an effective foreign language teacher. Just to name a few examples, I had no idea that there were 12 different verb tenses in the English language much less how to teach any of them; I had never heard of the word collocations, but I now visit an online collocation dictionary nearly every day; and maybe the most important lesson was that my students would actually learn more if I’m talking less and they’re practicing English more--“less is more.”
In conclusion, if it isn’t clear from what I’ve written above...I HIGHLY recommend going through the WTTP! Thank you WESLI teachers!
posted 8 years ago
Hannah LeDuc United States
studied English Teacher TrainingSuper helpful!
This program not only met all of my ESL training goals, it also added greatly to my professional skills. The practicum was also super helpful in applying what I'd just learned in class and getting my first teaching experience to add to my resume. The staff and students are super nice, too!
posted 8 years ago
Hattan Bin Matar Saudi Arabia
studied English Academic preparationGreat school
The atmosphere , location , teaching staff , program , books and management of the school are outstanding and extraordinary. I spent one year at WESLI. my experience was great I have recommended this school to my friends and relative to study at WESLI.
Frankly I love everything about Wesli
posted 7 years ago
裴俊屹 China
studied English Academic preparationEXCELLENT SCHOOL!!!
I am a Chinese student, and my college major was 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. It happened that I was busy preparing for my master degree and worrying about my English ability, so I decided to come here.
I've been here for eight months, and 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 is very friendly and amiable, and it made me feel warm and comfortable.
I have changed a lot during these eight months. Before I came here, I could not communicate with foreigners freely because 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, now I have many 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 are awesome! They help me practicing my English again and again, and they are willing to answer all the questions. With their help, I become more confident, and my English has improved a lot. In addition, my classes are 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 will go to an American university next year, and 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 are very friendly here, and the environment is super awesome! It's a good place for both living and studying. I live in the dorm now, and I have three amazing roommates; the dorm is close to WESLI which is very convenient for students.
posted 7 years ago