Summer program: SEASSI 2004 for heritage learners - INITIAL APPLICATION 12 JAN

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The Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI) will offer
8-week intensive summer Heritage language and culture classes in
Khmer, Lao, Hmong and Vietnamese.  The classes will take place at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, from June 14 to August 6, 2004.

These classes are intended for Hmong, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese
university students who grew up in North America and can
speak/understand the language of their Southeast Asian culture (to at
least a minimal degree) and would like to learn to read and write their
language as well.  Students with no oral or spoken command of the
language  can also study at SEASSI, but would be placed in a beginning
level class  with non-native speakers.  Placement will be determined on
the first day of  classes.

Students will have a chance to learn more about the traditions of the
culture and how to make sense of their lives and traditions in
America/Canada in an historical context.  Independent,
project-oriented study opportunities will also be available, in the
context of modular instruction, so students who enter the program at an
intermediate literacy level can also have their educational needs met
and be stimulated and challenged.

The classes are taught by experienced instructors from the United
States, Canada and Southeast Asia, and make use of the latest
teaching materials and methods.  All classes carry one full year of
university language credit.  A variety of fellowships and tuition
reductions are available.  For more information, please visit the
SEASSI Heritage Program website:

http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/SEASSI/heritage

Even if you've visited the above website before, please take another
look,  since new photos, videos and program information have recently
been added  for Vietnamese, Khmer and Hmong.

Please note also these important deadlines in regard to applying for
financial aid for the program:

January 12, 2004  FLAS Fellowship Application Deadline
February 2, 2004  Heritage Language Fellowship Application Deadline
April 1, 2004  Tuition Fellowship Application Deadline
April 1, 2004 Wisconsin Bilingual Education Grant Deadline
April 1, 2004  Final SEASSI Application Deadline

For descriptions of the individual fellowships, please see:

http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/seassi/financial_aid.htm

Please circulate this information to any potentially interested
parties.  Thank you.

Frank Smith
Heritage Language Facilitator
Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute
University of Wisconsin-Madison