Policies
While enrolled in APTLII, students are subject to both University of Wisconsin rules as well as APTLII-specific policies (including the use of Arabic/Persian/Turkish throughout the program) which are described below. All APTLII students will sign an agreement at the beginning of the program affirming that they will abide by all UW and APTLII policies.Language Policies
APTLII students are required to use their target language (Arabic, Persian, or Turkish) as their only means of communication (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) during the 8-week program, with these exceptions:
- FIRST YEAR STUDENTS ONLY, during the first two weeks, instructors may allow the occasional use of English in the classroom for instructional purposes
- Medical, psychological, or other health-related matters
- Financial and administrative matters
- Urgent family matters
- Religious observances
- Private consultation with APTLII staff
- Polite social greetings, as well as other brief but necessary exchanges with individuals not in the program (such as waiters, cashiers, and people you chance to meet on the sidewalk)
In addition, during the time period from after dinner on Friday nights to before breakfast on Saturday mornings, students are free to take a ‘break’ from their target language if they are away from the APTLII dormitory. The language requirement will remain in place at all times inside the APTLII dormitory.
Language immersion is a group effort, and violations of the immersion experience are detrimental to the progress of both the violator and other students. In particular, speaking English in the presence of other students must be avoided at all times. If a student is breaking the language requirement, other students and staff should politely and non-confrontationally remind them of their commitment to their target language.
For minor violations of the language requirement, a simple reminder is often enough. In cases of more severe violations, or repeated disregard for the language immersion experience, instructors/staff will refer the student’s case to the APTLII director (or designee) for investigation. The APTLII director will give the student an opportunity to discuss the matter before determining the appropriate sanctions, which may include a verbal or written reprimand, grade reduction, or dismissal from APTLII.
APTLII Policies & Expectations
APTLII represents a full-time commitment for the entire eight-week period, requiring a great deal of daily preparation. Students should not plan any other academic projects during this period that would detract from their full participation in APTLII. During this time students will not receive any guests who do not speak their target language without the permission of the APTLII director.
Arriving in the classroom punctually before the arrival of the instructor is important and students will make every effort to be on time to all classes and other activities.
Certain materials used in instructional settings (including films and journalistic articles) may, in some students’ opinions, contain elements that they find objectionable (such as, but not limited to, representation of gender relations, attitudes reflecting pride in ethnic identity, religious attitudes and assumptions, style of writing and/or cinematographic technique). As such, students will be respectful of the context in which these materials are used.
Living in the relatively close quarters of a college dormitory will require that students respect all rules and that everyone do their best to resolve all issues of potential misunderstanding with the utmost courtesy and respect for others.
As participants in the UW-Madison Arabic Persian and Turkish Language Immersion Institute, students will make every effort to conduct themselves in a manner befitting a serious and open-minded student, scholar, or professional. Students will treat their fellow students, faculty, and staff with respect, and will also treat all UW-Madison property with respect.
UW-Madison Academic & Housing Policies
APTLII participants are UW-Madison students, and therefore have specific rights and responsibilities as members of the UW-Madison community. The University of Wisconsin System has developed rules covering both academic and non-academic conduct, along with processes for responding to instances of misconduct and determining appropriate sanctions. Refer to the Student Code of Conduct for details on UWS 14 (academic conduct), UWS 17 (non-academic conduct), and UWS 18 (conduct on University lands).
Participants who violate these policies will be reviewed according to UW-Madison and APTLII procedures, and may face dismissal from APTLII. Dismissed students may be ineligible for refunds, as determined by the UW-Madison refund schedule.
