Frequently Asked Questions

Most Workshop courses cover one academic year of language study in a single summer; some cover more.

A successful summer can move a beginner into functional communication or help a continuing learner make substantial advances toward the next proficiency level.

One summer can help you make a dramatic improvement in your abilities, but it cannot take a beginner to professional proficiency; nor will it make an advanced learner indistinguishable from a native speaker. It absolutely will make you better. It will not make you perfect.

Your proficiency gains will depend on your starting level and course intensity.

Most courses are designed to advance learners at least one ACTFL sublevel (for example, Intermediate Mid to Intermediate High).

First-year courses move faster, producing gains of up to three sublevels (Novice Low to Intermediate Low).

The Workshop is a good fit if you can make language study your primary commitment for the summer.

It is also a good fit if you are prepared to take charge of your language learning. Rather than relying primarily on instructors to introduce new material in class, you will learn independently and use class time to check your understanding and practice your skills.

The Workshop may not be the best choice if you prefer to learn primarily through classroom instruction. Workshop courses rely heavily on independent learning, preparation, and practice.

You do not need exceptional language aptitude to succeed in the Workshop, but you do need sustained engagement.

Successful Workshop learners participate actively, work with material that is not yet fully mastered, and are comfortable learning through errors as well as successes.

Average personal responsibilities and limited outside commitments are compatible with Workshop study. The key is having enough time and attention available to make the Workshop your primary commitment.

Full-time employment, substantial concurrent coursework, major research obligations, or frequent travel can make an intensive course difficult to sustain.

One hour of missed instruction in an intensive course represents a day lost in a conventional semester. Students are permitted to miss up to 4 hours of class a month.

Review your travel plans, conferences, program orientations, medical appointments, and your social and work obligations before committing to the program.

Workshop courses compress a 14-week semester into 1 month, so weekly contact hours are high. 

Your course page gives the actual instructional hours and meeting schedule for your course.

Plan to spend as much time outside class as you spend in class. This includes homework, preparation, review, independent language practice, and any required conversation practice, cultural programming, skills training, tutoring, or other activities.

Workshop courses carry Indiana University academic credit, with the exact number listed in each course’s listing.

IU provides official transcripts listing your course and grade, but your home institution or degree program determines how that credit applies to your requirements.

If transfer or degree credit matters to you, check with your home institution before enrolling.

Academic credit measures completion of coursework; proficiency measures what you can actually do with the language.

In addition to your transcript, you will receive an ACTFL OPI certificate, providing an independent and standardized measure of your language ability.

Workshop courses have fees in addition to tuition. These support supplemental instruction, activities, materials, housing, study abroad, or other components of your program. Your course listing identifies the fees associated with your course. All fees listed are mandatory for all participants unless otherwise noted in your course listing.

Exception: Housing. Housing is billed only to learners living in summer language houses. Before committing to a program, consider both the tuition and the fees associated with your program.

Your total cost may include expenses that are not billed by the Workshop, such as travel, meals, local transportation, books, or personal expenses.

Each funding opportunity has its own eligibility requirements. Some awards may be restricted by citizenship, academic status, language, proficiency level, career goals, or other criteria.

Workshop funding is available only to learners attending both sessions. Single-session applicants are not eligible for Workshop funding. Review the requirements for each award before applying rather than assuming that admission to the Workshop makes you eligible for funding.

If you are eligible for Workshop funding and if the funding application period is open, you will receive an email invitation to apply for funding after you submit your application for admission to the Workshop.

Pay close attention to funding deadlines: admission to a course does not guarantee that funding will be available.

• Read your award notice carefully to determine what the award pays and whether funds are applied directly to your IU account or provided to you for other expenses.
• Do not assume that an award covers every cost associated with attending the Workshop.

• You are responsible for costs not covered by your award or another funding source.
• Before accepting your place, compare your total expected costs with your confirmed funding so that you know what you will need to pay yourself.

• Dropping a course, withdrawing from the Workshop, changing programs, or otherwise changing your enrollment may affect your funding.
• If your plans change, contact the Workshop before making the change so that you understand the financial consequences.