Lecturer at Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI)

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Job Summary:

The Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI) is an eight-week intensive language institute that offers courses in Kazakh Tajik Uyghur and Uzbek languages annually from mid-June through mid-August. The 2026 CESSI program will be held from June 15 through August 7 and will be preceded by a staff orientation week from June 8-12 2026. CESSI is a member of the Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes (WISLI).

Language instructors will be responsible for participating in the CESSI staff orientation week activities as well as instructor meetings throughout the eight-week program. Under the supervision of designated Administrative and Pedagogical staff of the Language Program Office (LPO) instructors will perform the following duties:

- Teach one language at the elementary intermediate or advanced level in an eight-week intensive format. Prospective instructors should be aware that a combined IntermediateAdvanced course may be offered with students placed within a similar proficiency range (typically Intermediate-Mid to Advanced-Mid). CESSI 2026 classes will be taught in an online synchronous format.

- Following ACTFL recommendations for modern spoken languages commit to communicating at least 90% in the target language in interaction with students for the duration of the program.

- Prepare syllabus determine appropriate course goals and objectives create lesson plans and teaching materials for assigned language and course level and potentially for future use by the institute.

- Prepare weekly lesson plans and provide to assigned pedagogy coordinator(s).

- Develop administer and grade classroom and home assignments and exams; maintain student learning management system (LMS) on Canvas.

- Hold scheduled office hours a minimum of 2 hours per week with additional time available to students upon request.

- Supervise the Faculty Assistant or Teaching Assistant assigned to the section if applicable.

- Work closely with the Language Program Office (LPO) and program pedagogy staff to prepare for course observations and performance evaluations that ensure program guidelines and expectations are met.

- Demonstrate ability to collaborate with other instructors and program staff.

- Contribute to fostering a supportive and collegial working environment.

- Advise on cultural programming and help prepare and implement institute co-curricular activities no more than one a week.

- Participate in all pedagogy workshops and instructor meetings organized by WISLI and individual programs including all required pre-service workshops during the first week of employment.

- Instructors may be required to submit supplemental evaluations for students who have received a FLAS fellowship or other funding.

- Instructors may be required to administer placement tests to incoming program participants.

- Follow WISLI best practices and work toward level-appropriate standards of ACTFL proficiency-based instruction.

Instructors are responsible for managing their classrooms which includes:

• Ensuring target language use in the classroom.

• Maintaining an engaging and orderly learning environment.

• Acting as the first point of contact for student academic and non-academic issues with support from the pedagogy coordinator and academic director.

• Organizing all course materials and updating student grades in Canvas.

• Sharing course-related communications with students.

• Managing classroom administrative tasks including taking attendance reporting grades and providing timely feedback.

During the eight-week summer period there will be at least one scheduled teaching observation. Additional observations may be arranged for professional development purposes to address classroom-related issues or for funding agency oversight. All observations will be scheduled with prior notice.

CESSI courses will be offered in a synchronous remote format for summer 2026. Instructors for remote courses are not expected to live in Madison and are expected to have sufficient internet access and technology to effectively teach without interruption and to meet all requirements of instructional staff at CESSI including attendance at all meetings during pre-service orientation week attendance at all mandatory pedagogy training meetings holding of daily office hours etc. Meetings and classes will be held during the business day based on the U.S. Central time zone.

NEW to WISLI 2026 courses:

• Rising high school juniors and seniors may be admitted to WISLI online courses. Support for instructors with these students will be provided during pre-service week.
• Classes will run between 8:30am-1:30pm Central Time with 4 hours of class time and breaks included as agreed upon by instructors and students.
• The weekly class schedule will be different from previous summers integrating cultural programming into class time. Along with this change instructors are expected to develop and follow a general workflow during pre-service week that keeps pace with the intensive schedule and supports student expectations. A sample course schedule will be provided to finalists later in the hiring process.

For more information please visit are filled based on student enrollment numbers. Some notifications may come in late spring.

This appointment is for summer 2026 only. There is no presumption of reappointment.

Key Job Responsibilities:

5% attend CESSI pedagogy sessions and staff meetings; contribute resources or facilitate a CESSI academic or cultural co-curricular event; administer pre-program placement tests or place students in appropriate levels as necessary

• Facilitates classroom online and/or laboratory instruction for one or more courses including assessment of student performance

• Develops instructional design and curriculum relevant to a course of instruction

• Serves as an initial point of contact for students as it relates to specific course or series content and expectations

Department:

Language Programs Office (LPO) International Division

Compensation:

$12000-$14000 for full-time 9-week appointment depending on qualifications based on AY year minimum rate of $52000

Required Qualifications:

• Fluency or near-native fluency in the language being taught and in English required.
• Two years of college/university experience preferred in teaching Kazakh Tajik Uyghur or Uzbek as a second language at the elementary intermediate or advanced level in the U.S. or abroad.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of current issues in language pedagogy and training in language proficiency preferred.
• Prior experience in intensive summer language teaching preferred.
• Experience with remote teaching and technology in foreign language is strongly preferred.

Education:

Minimum of a Bachelors required in fields related to Kazakh Tajik Uyghur or Uzbek language and culture Central Eurasian Area Studies Linguistics Second Language Acquisition or a related field.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following materials through the jobs portal:

- Cover letter that addresses your teaching philosophy. Please specify which language(s) you are able to teach and at which level(s) (beginning intermediate advanced or all three). Instructors new to WISLI may wish to describe their ability to teach language in an intensive online format.

- CV

- List of the names of 3 professional references including current supervisor

- Student evaluations strongly encouraged.

Finalists may be required to provide additional materials such as a sample syllabus lesson plan and/or a teaching demonstration as a part of the hiring process.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions please reach out to the following:

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