Language Immersion Student Residence (LISR)

The College of Humanities Language Immersion Student Residence Program aims to develop confident and proficient world language speakers who are linguistically and spiritually prepared to make significant contributions in the world.

Effective fall semester 2020, the LISR Program is pleased to announce the College of Humanities has approved Experiential Learning student scholarships for Humanities majors and minors participating in the LISR Program, not including Language Facilitators.

Please click this link to learn more and to apply.

Dr. Hans Kelling, LISR Program Director - "I invite you to step into another culture without leaving campus and take part in a most unique program. Hundreds of BYU students have immersed themselves in a second language and culture by becoming part of the LISR program. I am always amazed at the progress in speaking proficiency and cultural understanding LISR students make. Just imagine what it could do for you!"

• Tenants living at the LISR participate in a unique language immersion experience, the LISR Program, in conjunction with pursuing regular class schedules.
• Tenants in each apartment study and speak the same target language.
• A Language Facilitator resides in each apartment, modeling correct language usage. They also help tenants to progress rapidly to higher levels of proficiency.
• Tenants obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of the target language culture.
• Each language house (all apartments with the same target language) is supervised by a Faculty Coordinator. These members of the BYU Faculty meet regularly with the language houses, offering support and assistance within the program.
• Each language house eats dinner together Monday-Thursday from 6:00-7:00 PM.
  • Participation in the language house dinner program is a requirement, not an option.
• Tenants must enroll in a language course taught on campus, or an independent academic internship course carried out in the target language and offered through the respective language department.

• Full-time BYU students [who have reached the minimum Intermediate level of proficiency] are eligible to apply to the LISR program. See eligibility for more information.
• So as to maximize one's language learning at the LISR, completion of the following prerequisites is recommended: 102 for German, Portuguese, Russian, Italian and Spanish; 201 for Chinese and French; and 202 for Japanese and Korean.

• LISR tenants share a kitchen among six tenants.
• Laundry facilities are located conveniently within the complex.
• Tenants are welcome to bring their own compatible wireless router and connect it to a BYU network data jack in their apartment for internet access.
• Free on-site parking is available for LISR tenants who register their vehicle with BYU.
  • BYU discourages parking on neighboring residential streets because it causes congestion and inconvenience.
• Facilities include various sport courts and large lawn areas.
• The LISR has large common rooms that easily accommodate social activities.
  • Large flat screen TVs are available in the common rooms on the second and third floors.
• Rental payments include all utilities, wireless internet access, and Residence Life activities.

• Here is the link to the LISR application.
• Although it is not mandatory, it is advisable that prospective tenants speak with a professor who can recommend them to the program before they fill out their application.
• Prospective tenants who are accepted into the LISR Program will receive a notification of acceptance and LISR room selection date on their Message Board.
• Tenants are responsible for a $50 Processing Fee and a $100 Security Deposit, both of which must be paid at the time of submitting their Housing Agreement.
• For tenants with a previous on-campus housing agreement, the previous security deposit and processing fee will transfer to each tenant’s new housing agreement for the LISR.

Students may contact the LISR Program Office via: