Kalamazoo Chinese Academy STARTALK

The Kalamazoo Chinese Academy STARTALK Institute is a year-round student engagement program that will take place from spring 2024 to spring 2025. This year-round language program provides a differentiated four semesters’ sessions for 70 grades 5-9 beginner- to intermediate-level students in the United States to learn the Chinese language in an immersive environment. The program theme is “Amazing Beijing” and this theme will guide all standard-based instruction and learning throughout the program. Students will undergo a virtual cultural tour to Beijing in Mainland China. Classes will have a cap of 12 students per class to make it possible for the instructors to work closely with the students and to take account of individual differences in their backgrounds and learning styles. 

This program is funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and participation in this program is totally FREE; however, participation in all four semesters is required. Here is an overview of the semesters:

• Spring 2024 (January 18-May 30): 30 hours of virtual pre-camp outreach activities (2 hours a week for 15 weeks)
• Summer 2024 (July 15-August 2): 70 hours of non-residential, in-person summer camp experience (10 hours virtual first week, 30 hours per week in-person second and third weeks on WMU's campus) or virtual summer camp experience (three weeks virtual for out-of-town students) - Check back later for more information on summer camp registration. 
• Fall 2024 (September 6-December 22): 30 hours of virtual post-camp outreach activities (2 hours per week for 15 weeks)
• Spring 2025 (January 23-May 7): 30 hours of virtual post-camp outreach activities (2 hours per week for 15 weeks)

Contact: startalk@kzooca.org

The Kalamazoo Chinese Academy STARTALK Institute will be hosting a Chinese summer program from Monday, July 15, to Friday, August 2, 2024 for grades 5-9 students in the Kalamazoo area. The summer program is funded by the STARTALK grant and is FREE for all participants. The program theme is "Amazing Beijing" and this theme will guide all standard-based instruction and learning throughout the program. Students will undergo a virtual cultural tour to Beijing in Mainland China. This non-residential summer camp experience is funded by the National Security Agency (NSA). Out-of-state students will have the option to attend the summer camp virtually, but priority will be given to local students.

Students will: 

• Explore cultural products and practices in Beijing through a variety of learning activities.  
• Compare the host family’s daily life and other routine activities with their own.  
• Learn some Chinese norms and customs and reflect on the differences in cultural perspectives between the Beijing community and the US.  
• Practice the vocabulary of the various modes of transportation, places of interest, food culture, and cultural celebrations in Beijing. 

This program is offered through a fully virtual and hybrid delivery method: 

• July 15-19: virtual, class times vary for each level, 10 hours total 
• July 22-26: 9am-4pm in person on WMU's main campus (lunch and snacks provided) OR fully virtual for out-of-town students
• July 29-August 2: 9am-4pm in person on WMU's main campus (lunch and snacks provided) OR fully virtual for out-of-town students

Questions: Please email startalk@kzooca.org if you have any questions about the program.