Lecturer at Eurasian Studies Summer Institute; CESSI

Job Summary

The Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI) is an eight-week intensive language institute that offers courses in Kazakh, Tajik, Uyghur, and Uzbek languages annually from mid-June through mid-August. The 2026 CESSI program will be held from June 15 through August 7 and will be preceded by a staff orientation week from June 8-12, 2026. CESSI is a member of the Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes (WISLI).

• Participate in CESSI staff orientation week activities and instructor meetings throughout the program.
• Teach one language at the elementary, intermediate, or advanced level in an eight‑week intensive format. (A combined Intermediate‑Advanced course may be offered.) Classes will be taught in an online, synchronous format.
• Commit to communicating at least 90% in the target language in interaction with students, following ACTFL recommendations.
• Prepare syllabus, course goals, objectives, lesson plans, and teaching materials for the assigned language and course level, and create resources for future use by the institute.
• Prepare weekly lesson plans and submit them to the assigned pedagogy coordinator(s).
• Develop, administer, and grade classroom and home assignments, exams, and maintain the learning management system (Canvas).
• Hold scheduled office hours a minimum of two hours per week, with additional time available to students upon request.
• Supervise the Faculty Assistant or Teaching Assistant assigned to the section, if applicable.
• Work closely with the Language Program Office (LPO) and program pedagogy staff to prepare for course observations and performance evaluations that ensure program guidelines and expectations are met.
• Demonstrate ability to collaborate with other instructors and program staff.
• Contribute to fostering a supportive and collegial working environment.
• Advise on cultural programming and help prepare and implement institute co‑curricular activities, no more than one per week.
• Participate in all pedagogy workshops and instructor meetings organized by WISLI and individual programs, including all required pre‑service workshops during the first week of employment.
• Submit supplemental evaluations for students who have received a FLAS fellowship or other funding, when required.
• Administer placement tests to incoming program participants, when required.
• Follow WISLI best practices and work toward level‑appropriate standards of ACTFL proficiency‑based instruction.
• Ensure target language use in the classroom.
• Maintain an engaging and orderly learning environment.
• Act as the first point of contact for student academic and non‑academic issues with support from the pedagogy coordinator and academic director.
• Organize all course materials and update student grades in Canvas.
• Share course‑related communications with students.
• Manage classroom administrative tasks including taking attendance, reporting grades, and providing timely feedback.
• During the eight‑week summer period, participate in at least one scheduled teaching observation. Additional observations may be arranged for professional development purposes, to address classroom‑related issues, or for funding agency oversight.
• Work remotely from any location that provides sufficient internet access and technology to teach without interruption and meet all participation requirements, including attendance at all meetings during pre‑service orientation week, mandatory pedagogy training meetings, holding daily office hours, etc. Meetings and classes will be held during the business day based on the U.S. Central time zone.
• Develop and follow a general workflow during pre‑service week that keeps pace with the intensive schedule and supports student expectations.

• Attend CESSI pedagogy sessions and staff meetings.
• Contribute resources or facilitate a CESSI academic or cultural co‑curricular event.
• Administer pre‑program placement tests or place students in appropriate levels as necessary.

• Fluency or near‑native fluency in the language being taught and in English.
• Two years of college/university teaching experience preferred in Kazakh, Tajik, Uyghur, or…