- Housing>
- International Learning Community>
- Language Houses
Language Houses
Within the ILC, a cluster of rooms is devoted to language immersion. We offer you the opportunity to be part of a program in German, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, or Nordic languages (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish). These language programs offer intense experiences in the culture associated with the language, whereby you can practice your language skills with native speakers and other students like you. A graduate student works with residents of the floor to assist with language skills and programming. Residents in language houses eat meals together each week and participate in additional activities sponsored through the Language department. If you want to participate in one of the six ILC language floors, in addition to ranking the ILC as your top choice when you receive your housing contract, you also need to fill out an application.
For more information on language houses, read the short descriptions below!
A Nossa Casa (Portuguese House) - NEW!
Feel a dash of the sun-splattered radiance of Ipanema, catch a sparkle of old Lisbon's architectural splendor, and hear an echo of Luanda's dizzying, colorful bustle in the heart of the International Learning Community's newest language floor, A Nossa Casa. If you are interested in improving your language skills and attaining a deeper cultural understanding of the eight countries where Portuguese is spoken, then A Nossa Casa is the home for you. Assisted by a Faculty Member from the Portuguese program and a Graduate Coordinator who will reside in your floor, surrounded by students who share your enthusiasm for the rich and astonishing diversity of the Portuguese-speaking world, you will savor a true symphony of flavors from Portuguese, Brazilian and African cuisine. You will enjoy cultural and film nights in an immersion setting where your spoken Portuguese will leap from the confines of the structured classroom into the unpredictable and fascinating variety of everyday life.
Baytunaa (Arabic House)
No need to study abroad to learn Arabic, you can have that here in Madison at the Arabic House with the ILC, UW-Madison. Live the Arabic immersion experience with a native speaker, and learn about Arabs and their cultures. The Arabic House is great opportunity to learn and improve your Arabic skills. The Arabic house has been a door to meet and interact with the Arabic community in Madison. At the Arabic House you live with students who share similar interests in the Arabic language and culture.
Co-sponsored by the African Languages & Literature Department
http://african.lss.wisc.edu/
Nihongo Hausu (Japanese House)
The Japanese-language floor (Nihongo Hausu) is an enthusiastic group who speak Japanese together, cook Japanese food, watch Japanese movies, and experiment with "living in Japanese" here in Madison. Living in Nihongo Hausu is a great way to get better at spoken Japanese and a great way to live with people who share an interest in Japan.
Co-sponsored by the East Asian Languages & Literature Department
http://eall.wisc.edu/
Residencia de Estudiantes (Spanish House)
Do you love Spanish and Hispanic/Latin American culture? So do we! If you are interested in improving your Spanish listening, comprehension, and conversation this is the place for you. Often times in the classroom there is not enough time to really practice the language and learn about culture. In La Residencia, we offer you the opportunity to improve your Spanish skills in a safe and fun environment where you will live and interact with people that actually want to learn the language. With the help of Faculty from the Spanish Department, a Graduate Language Program Coordinator that will live in your floor and your fellow Residencia friends you can take your Spanish to the next level. Aside from practice and tutoring services, we offer interesting activities that you can partake and coordinate as well such as cooking nights, cultural nights, or movie nights etc. Don't miss this opportunity, and take your Spanish from the textbook to real life, we will make you practice in real life situations! :)
Co-sponsored by the Department of Spanish & Portuguese
http://spanport.lss.wisc.edu/
Русский дом (Russian House)
Русский дом is a new language floor in the International Learning Community for students with an interest in Russian language and culture. With support from the Russian-speaking Graduate Language Program Coordinator, residents of Russian House use their Russian as they gather at meals, cook Russian food, go to concerts of Russian music, visit the local Russian food store, watch Russian films and simply chat in the hallways about daily life. Students of all levels of Russian are welcome! Будьте как дома в Русском доме! (Make yourself at home in Russian House!)
Co-sponsored by the Department of Slavic Languages & Literature and the Russian Flagship Program
http://slavic.lss.wisc.edu/new_web/ & http://www.russianflagship.wisc.edu/content/about
Norden House (Nordic House)
Norden House is a residential language immersion program for UW students studying Norwegian, Danish or Swedish. In addition to offering students a chance to use their chosen language in their daily lives, Norden also involves a one-credit seminar that allows students to explore different facets of Scandinavian society. Because Norden House encompasses all of the modern Scandinavian languages, participants not only work to improve their own language abilities, but are encouraged to think about the multinational character of the region, discovering the linguistic and cultural similarities and differences of the Nordic countries. Throughout the year Norden residents also take trips to some of the many rich northern European heritage sites located throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states, exposing students to the folk traditions of Scandinavia.
Co-sponsored by the Department of Scandinavian Studies
http://scandinavian.wisc.edu/
Piazza Italia (Italian House)
Piazza Italia is a way to bring the culture and language of Italy into your residence hall life. Enjoy learning how to cook regional cuisine, Italian film nights and group activities around campus, all while speaking Italian. This is an ideal atmosphere for improving your language skills before study abroad, helping you with have a broader language/cultural understanding as a major (or second major) as well as learning more about your own culture by examining the differences and similarities within the international community. Come experience la dolce vita with us.
Co-sponsored by the Department of French and Italian
http://frit.lss.wisc.edu/
Stockwerk Deutsch (German House)
Stockwerk Deutsch, the oldest language floor in the International Learning Community, is a community of students who have an interest in the German language and its many cultures. Our Graduate Language Program Coordinator (GLPC) - this year it’s Tobias Zuern from Esslingen/Germany - lives with the “Stockies” and is their primary daily contact with the language, but he also eats meals with them, even cooks with them, views German-language films with them, and travels with them to interesting sites connected with German speakers in the area. Students of all levels of German are welcome to visit Stockwerk Deutsch, as well as to apply to become “Stockies” themselves. Herzlich willkommen!
Co-sponsored by the Department of German
http://german.lss.wisc.edu/new_web/