STARTALK 2009 - Programs in AZ

Arizona State University (student)

From STARTALK to Flagship: ASU Chinese Language Camp Summer 2009

ASU Chinese Language Camp: From STARTALK to Flagship is a 15-day (July 12-26) residential program for Arizona high school students to increase their motivation and proficiency levels in Chinese through a highly individualized and task-based curriculum. The program targets students entering 11th or 12th grade whose proficiency level in Chinese ranges from novice-low to intermediate-high or who have no prior knowledge of Chinese. Throughout the program, students will receive Chinese language instruction in the mornings and participate in cultural activities in the afternoons and evenings. Chinese language classes will focus on communication in real-life situations and will be delivered through group lessons, individualized instruction, and peer mentoring. Cultural activities will focus on enhancing students’ understanding of Chinese culture and society. Students will watch movies on different themes, work on and present research projects on cultural and social issues in China, and participate in hands-on activities to learn traditional Chinese arts and crafts, calligraphy, cooking, and some martial arts. After the summer program, students will commit to taking follow-up Chinese language classes at ASU, their own high school, or CCSA (the Contemporary Chinese School in Arizona) with some online components.