Directed Independent Language Study (DILS)
Yale University
Directed Independent Language Study (DILS) provides currently-enrolled Yale undergraduate, graduate or professional school students the opportunity to study a language not taught in a Yale classroom, with support from weekly sessions with a native-speaking (or fluent) language partner and self-study instructional materials.
Application Information: Before applying, you must review the DILS program website for complete information on the program, eligibility, application requirements, and program expectations.
Applications must be submitted during the semester preceding the one in which you plan to study. So if you are applying during one of our two month-long application periods (i.e., February or October), your DILS study will begin the following semester.
Note: If you are a current DILS student wishing to continue with the language that you are currently studying (or have recently studied in DILS), you must re-apply each semester, being sure to select "Yes" when asked if you are a continuing student on the online application form.
Links to Additional Information: Before applying, you must review the DILS program website for complete information on the program, eligibility, application requirements, and program expectations.
Please review the following eligibility considerations:
- You must be a currently-enrolled undergraduate, graduate, or professional school student in good academic standing.
- You must be a applying for a language that is not formally offered for credit at Yale (See https://courses.yale.edu).
- You must be highly motivated, self-disciplined, self-directed, and fully committed to the program.
- You must be able to demonstrate serious reasons why you wish to study the language for which you are applying.
- Recognizing the time commitment required for language study, you should be careful not to undertake DILS in an otherwise heavily loaded semester.