Institute of South Asian Language Studies

ISALS offers a modern approach to traditional learning that meets the needs of geopolitical professionals, students, and regional enthusiasts at all learning levels

Immerse yourself in cultural experiences through your language learning

We offer a holistic language learning experience through exposure to cultural traditions, popular media, and more

Enrolling now for Summer and Fall 2022

Learn your next language virtually! Conveniently access our virtual classes from anywhere, attend live sessions, interact with classmates in real-time, and get special access to exclusive recorded materials

Our Language Offerings

We recognize that in-country immersion is the ultimate language teacher. We strive to bring that environment to our virtual classrooms to the best of our abilities while using the guidelines outlined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR). Our instructors are focused on supporting our students’ language goals and are able to tailor curriculum and activities to encompass vocabulary and culture related to various subcultures, such as NGOs, government, education, defense, and more.

Hindi

Spoken by more than 500 million people, Hindi is one of India’s official languages and is spoken by groups in Nepal, Fiji, Mauritius, and Trinidad.

Urdu

Urdu is the official national language of Pakistan and is spoken by many groups in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Persian Gulf countries.

Persian

Also known as Farsi, the Persian language is the official language of Iran and is spoken in parts of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Bahrain.

Bengali

Bengali is spoken by over 300 million people by groups of individuals both India and Bangladesh and is the official and national language of Bangladesh.

Punjabi

Punjabi is spoken by over 113 million people by groups of individuals in both India and Pakistan, primarily in the Punjab regions of both countries.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide fully virtual, in-depth language learning experiences to students committed to developing skills in South Asian languages. We don’t just teach language; we teach culture so that our students can converse and immerse with confidence. We offer language learners of all levels with high-quality instruction, delivered by experienced instructors, that will prepare them for personal and professional endeavors, including the ILR and ACTFL exams, international relations work, and more.

We seek to help people from all backgrounds as they reach for any language goal. Whether you have a passion for languages, are looking for a job or a scholarship that requires proficiency in a certain language, or you are looking to connect with a family heritage, or any other reason, we look forward to working with you!

We advance our mission by:

Creating a multi-dimensional curriculum imparting language and culture so that students of all levels and backgrounds can quickly gain proficiency;

Serving as a resource for students preparing for exams such as ILR or ACTFL;

Elevating language mastery and cultural awareness for professionals preparing for work abroad;

Promoting a supportive learning environment for students looking to connect with their family heritage;

Providing a space for motivated, passionate language-learners.

Please drop a message if you have any questions