In the summer 2024, SEASSI will run First-year Indonesian, First-year Thai, and First-year Vietnamese in a completely face-to-face modality. The Khmer course will be held in a fully synchronous, remote modality. Khmer applicants do not need to submit an additional statement regarding remote instruction, but they will be required to have adequate technology and bandwidth described on this page and will be asked to sign an Internet Connectivity agreement prior to the beginning of the program.
For the other levels and languages, SEASSI plans to offer Burmese, Filipino, Hmong, 2nd & 3rd year Indonesian, Javanese, Lao, 2nd & 3rd year Thai, and 2nd and 3rd year Vietnamese language classes for students at a distance, in an otherwise in-person class. The possibility to participate remotely as a synchronous distance learner is determined on a case-by case basis and there is limited availability.
The following page contain information about our distance learning classes. If you are interested in enrolling in distance learning at SEASSI, please read all of the following information carefully!
How to Apply
In addition to the general SEASSI Summer 2024 Application Form, prospective distance learner applicants should address in their Personal Statement or, preferably, in a separate file: the medical, personal, family, professional, or other reasons why you are unable to travel to Madison for classes this summer, how you will ensure that you will be available at the given synchronous class times (8:00am-12:30pm Central Time, Monday-Friday), and be able to make time for sufficient homework/review (4-5 hours daily).
Please Note: All SEASSI courses are subject to cancellation dependent on student interest. Therefore, it is encouraged that all students apply prior to the priority application deadline (March 15, 2024). Similarly, distance learning applications will be reviewed and decided on a case-by-case basis. We encourage those interested in the synchronous distance learning option to reach out to the SEASSI office early in the application cycle as limited opportunities for distance learning are available.
See below for frequently asked questions.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
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2024 Program Dates and Times
Classes will begin on Monday, June 17, 2024 and will extend through Friday, August 9, 2024.
Classes are synchronous and typically held Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, Central Daylight Time.
Distance Learning format and student expectations
In keeping with our commitment to the development of communicative ability, SEASSI online instruction will be synchronous, intensive, and tightly scheduled. Rather than individual work, instruction will be classroom-based, that will involve students at different locations working together in a synchronous format. Work and study approaches will differ according to language and level, but students will have to prepare for each session by completing assigned work and will be expected to participate actively while online.
Depending on the number of distance students who want to enroll in a SEASSI class, you might be in a class that is composed entirely of distance education students, or you might be in a class where some students meet face-to-face with the instructor in Madison, WI, while others participate synchronously from remote locations. The format we will be able to offer you will depend on the number of students enrolling in the class. There is limited availability for distance learning. For more information, please contact us by email or telephone at 608-265-2652.
Academic Goals
The goal of SEASSI is to teach the equivalent of an entire academic year (two semesters) of language instruction over the course of the intensive summer program. This is a full academic load. In addition to synchronous classroom time (8:00 am to 12:30 pm Central) Mondays through Fridays, distance education students should expect to spend anywhere from three to five hours per day on homework assignments. This is the same homework load as that expected of SEASSI students in a traditional classroom setting. Given the intensive nature of the program, students are advised not to take other courses for credit during SEASSI.
Where should I conduct my distance courses?
Participation from a distant location will require a high speed, wired internet connection. Distance students are required to create a learning environment for themselves that is free from noise, foot traffic, or other distractions. A café or shopping mall would not provide an appropriate setting.
We recommend that students take advantage of the resources available at local college or university language labs. A typical college language lab offers very high-speed internet connections, powerful computers, good-quality headsets, and an environment that is ideal for language learning.
Computer System and Equipment Requirements:
Distance learners will join SEASSI classes synchronously via the videoconferencing platform, Zoom.
It is highly recommended that each distance student be at a wired (i.e., NOT wireless/Wi-Fi) broadband connection, so that all audio and video signals are as fast as possible. You will be expected to work with SEASSI tech support staff, prior to the beginning of classes, to test out your computer equipment and internet connection. It is extremely disruptive to the instructor and classmates when a distance student’s signal is weak, choppy or frozen. The distant student is responsible for maintaining adequate bandwidth and computer speed to ensure smooth, clear audio and video signals. Distance students who fail to do so will be asked to leave the class until the technical issues are resolved, and no tuition refund will be given to distance students in this circumstance.
The minimum requirements of your computer system for this mode of instruction are standard for most current computers:
4 GB RAM minimum, more recommended
20 MB free disk space
Sound Card
Headset with microphone/headphones, or speakers and a good-quality echo-canceling Microphone
Webcam
Wireless connection of 360kbps minimum (required) or wired broadband internet connection (recommended)
We recommend that students take advantage of the resources available at local college or university language labs. A typical college language lab offers very high-speed internet connections, powerful computers, good-quality headsets, and an environment that is ideal for language learning.
Are there different types of video-conferencing for distance learners?
Yes. See below:
Fully Remote Course: If we have an adequate number of online students all enrolling in the same class, we may create a separate, synchronous, fully-online section of that class. Students will meet online with their instructor via Zoom.
Virtual attendance in a live classroom via a laptop: In some classes, we may be able to incorporate one or two distant students synchronously into our regular summer classrooms. In this model, the distant student is “present” on a desk or the projector in a language classroom via a laptop. The online student(s) in this mode will be connecting to a laptop in the classroom via their own desktop or high-quality laptop computer. Each distance education student will be expected to work with SEASSI tech support staff, prior to the beginning of classes, to test out their computer equipment and internet connection.
What to expect in an online language classroom environment
Our instructional staff are experts in language teaching, and many of them have decades of teaching experience. They are truly gifted, wonderful teachers! Teaching language with an online student in an otherwise in-person classroom, however, may be a rather new experience for many of our instructors, and we expect that teachers may occasionally run into software or equipment problems requiring technical support. SEASSI tech support staff will assist in resolving such problems as quickly as possible. Students should also expect to occasionally run into software or equipment problems. In the months and weeks prior to instruction, SEASSI tech support staff will work with each individual distance education student to work out as many technical difficulties as possible, and will similarly assist after classes begin.
Learning a second language in a distance format will always be more challenging than face-to-face in a classroom. We strongly recommend that students attend SEASSI in person, rather than online, if at all possible. If you cannot attend SEASSI in person, however, our goal is to make your online learning experience as productive and positive as possible.
What is the greatest challenge in an online, synchronous classroom?
Ultimately, the greatest challenge in an online, synchronous learning environment like SEASSI distance education is that each student in the classroom (i.e., each “node” of linked computers) has an enormous impact on the success of everyone’s learning. The classroom functions only as well as the slowest computer in the group. Therefore, SEASSI reserves the right to deny or revoke admission to a student who is unwilling to take the steps necessary to fix connection or equipment problems.
Problem: Audio system echos
Solution:
Use a headset or headphones with a microphone, and make sure all other microphones and speakers connected to your machine are turned off.
Problem: Video signal is jerky/frozen/not in sync with audio
Solution:
1) Make sure you have a broadband connection.
2) Make sure you are connected to it by a wire. Wireless connections are far slower than wired connections and will not be acceptable.
3) Use a computer that has a fast microprocessor speed, and a dedicated graphics card.
Problem: Audio signal is delayed
Solution:
1) Make sure you have a broadband connection.
2) Make sure you are connected to it by a wire. Wireless connections are far slower than wired connections and will not be acceptable.
3) Use a computer that has a fast microprocessor speed, and a dedicated graphics card.