About WESLI
A History of Excellence
Wisconsin English as a Second Language Institute (WESLI) began teaching English in 1981 and has earned an excellent reputation with universities, educational agencies, businesses, and students from all over the world. WESLI has earned respect academically among universities and colleges for equipping international students with skills to succeed in competitive academic environments. Students from all over the world have had satisfying, memorable cross-cultural experiences at WESLI and call Madison their second home (with alumni coming back to visit often!).
At WESLI, we pride ourselves on our individualized teaching, small class sizes, and a diverse student population, welcoming students from all over the world. Our instructors and staff, as well as homestay hosts and conversation partners, create friendly environments for students to learn and explore. Many of our teachers and staff have been at WESLI for more than 15 years. In addition, most of our administrative staff members also teach or have taught in the past. We find these experiences ensure students are always working with people that have a passion for helping students and the experience needed to help. Our teachers and staff strive to create a warm, welcoming community atmosphere both in and outside of the classroom.
Small Class Sizes
Diverse Student Population
Individualized Experiences
Our story
Since 1981, our strong family roots and loyalty have guided us in providing excellent English education in Madison. WESLI was established by an American husband and wife who had taught in Indonesia.
Carlos Osorio, a former WESLI student originally from Venezuela, personally experienced how WESLI can shape your future. He decided to buy the school after completing his MBA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
We truly value our warm community atmosphere, personal attention, global citizenship, and proven interactive teaching methods. We are proud to say that our former students trust us to teach their children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, family and friends.
WESLI opens
After teaching English in Indonesia, Jeff and Gail Dreyfus opened WESLI with one other teacher. Located next to the University of Wisconsin - Madison campus, this newly opened English school welcomed a handful of students from the local community and abroad. Back then, they relied on landline phones, faxes, and paper mail! (Gail in photo)
Alumni buys WESLI
Carlos Osorio was a former student (alumni) of WESLI in the 1980s. After he heard WESLI was for sale, he purchased the school and building at 19 N Pinckney Street (the "blue building") on the Capitol Square in 1995. Since then, there have been thousands of students from over 190 countries that have experienced our warm school community in the welcoming City of Madison.
Building renovations
WESLI sold the "blue building" and renovated the remaining space on the second and third floors of 23 N Pinckney Street in 2020 - right before the pandemic! This historical renovation enabled each classroom to be flooded with sunlight, and created many new spaces for students to study, connect, and grow together. This renewed downtown location makes each experience special!
Connecting Communities
It's not just language you will learn here. You will learn the academic skills to not only to enter university, but to be successful. Business language to navigate the workplace, not just get in the door. Use the language inside the classroom to connect with classmates, teachers, but also in the community to experience the local culture and make connections through activities and exploring.
This local connection can differentiate your study abroad experience.
WESLI plays an influential role on a global and local level, with a noticeable impact on the local Madison population, stretching out across the state of Wisconsin, the wider United States and internationally through the communities of students and partners we connect with. It is this network that we invite you into with every handshake, smile, and hello!
We aim to inspire you with our 3 core principles
Connect
Make new connections both near and far.
Engage
Get engaged in the local Wisconsin community.
Empower
Become empowered by your improved English skills.
An unlimited variety of programs
We offer a variety of intensive English programs to help students achieve their personal, professional, and academic goals. If your goals cross between programs, we can create a custom program that will meet your individual needs.
General English - For short-term language study and culture
English PLUS - For language and community immersion
University Pathways - For students attending university in the US
Test Preparation - For TOEFL, IELTS, and other entrance exams
Business English - For professional communication across teams
Junior English - For under 18 years old immersive experiences
Tutoring - For individually customized learning
Teacher Training Program - For a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate
We have 7 levels of English instruction. These classes are for every English level: Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced. A variety of topics are offered. In addition, we offer private tutoring and customized programs. We have agreements with nearly 30 universities and colleges that accept our students without a TOEFL score. Through WESLI Workplace, we offer tailored English programs to suit the needs of your company. WESLI English Online allows students anywhere in the world to improve their English on their own time through online tutoring. We offer monthly start dates, or start any week. In addition to our intensive English programs, we also have a 5-week Teacher Training (TEFL Certification) Program with a 30-hour Practicum.
Our educational mission
The mission of WESLI, a stand-alone Intensive English Program (IEP), is to prepare students to be collaborative leaders in their chosen academic and professional environments. WESLI will accomplish this mission through exceptional ESL Instruction and Student Services; guided by the following values as applied to all areas of the organization, staff and students alike.
We are guided by 3 core values:
Cultural Competence: We strive for continued awareness of our individual values and how those affect the way we approach differences. Knowledge and skills which facilitate cross-cultural communication are developed in the spirit of respect, openness, and curiosity.
Collaboration: We co-facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and goals with the understanding that all members of the organization participate with their individual strengths along with the benefit of their previous education and experience.
Critical Thinking: We cultivate the courage to develop an individual viewpoint with the understanding that it is partial and complementary; the depth and rigor of thought that requires all material be held to the same standards of proof; the understanding of our connection to solutions to problems; and the perseverance to apply insight with the understanding that best interests will be served by allowing people to come to their own conclusions.
Based in the most liveable city in the US
We are located in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, across the street from the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Madison is a medium-sized city, located in the heart of the Midwest, and often ranked #1 for US city liveability. Madison is a very safe, friendly and inexpensive city to live in and has several universities in town, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a top 30 world university.
The perfect location, unique environment, excellent program, and moderate cost make WESLI one of the best places in the United States to learn English.