Khmer, Lao, Vietnamese Heritage Language Classes for Summer 2004 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. 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 (Thanks to Teri Yamada for the above info.)

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