STARTALK Chinese Language Camp for High School Students

June 25–July 14, 2012

Please check this site for application information beginning in February 2012

What is STARTALK?

Brigham Young University’s STARTALK Chinese 2012 will offer an intensive three-week Chinese language learning experience for mature, highly motivated high school students. This is a residential camp where participants are able to live in an "immersion" environment where they are learning and using Chinese all day long in their classrooms and activities. The program is open to 14–18 year old students who are in the 9^th grade or higher. To apply, students must be 14 by September 1st and must not be 19 before June 25th. This year’s camp will run from June 25 to July 14, 2012.

Through classroom instruction and a variety of activities students build proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin Chinese. Instruction will be offered in 4 levels of Chinese:

• Level 1 — Little to no previous experience in studying Chinese
• Level 2 — Already completed one year of high school Chinese or equivalent
• Level 3 — Already completed two years of high school Chinese or equivalent
• Level 4 — Already completed three years of high school Chinese or equivalent

Both morning and afternoon classes will focus on language learning, as well as offering cultural experiences and activities to meet a variety of learning styles.

These activities will include:

Parents are invited to attend the culminating Celebration Banquet which celebrates and showcases the students’ achievements. Every year participants give the BYU Chinese STARTALK program high marks for learning, fun, and friendship.

All STARTALK classes are taught by experienced faculty. Tutorial and review sessions are offered daily. Students will live on BYU campus in student dormitories. Mandarin and English speaking resident facilitators supervise evening and weekend activities. Meals are provided by BYU Food Services.

Students agree to abide by the BYU Honor Code while participating in the BYU Chinese STARTALK camp.

Tuition:

Tuition for the camp is generally under $1,200 for three weeks, depending on national funding. Students can receive one year of high school credit for participation in the camp. Textbooks are included in tuition. Some limited, need-based financial aid is available after admittance to the program.

Application:

Next year’s camp information will begin to be posted in January or February, 2012, and applications should be open by the end of March. For more information, please check back at this site or contact us.

Why Learn Chinese?

• It’s Useful. More people speak Chinese as their native language than any other—over one billion in fact!
• It’s Valuable. China has the world’s second-largest and fastest-growing economy. Global companies are looking for skilled Chinese-speaking employees to fill high-paying jobs.
• It’s Fun. As an active learner you’ll soon be talking, singing, and dancing in Chinese—maybe even inside a 50-foot dragon! And the friends you make at STARTALK will expand your view of the world.
• It’s Impressive. When you learn Chinese, you’ll find that friends, potential employers, and others will respect your newfound talents.
• It’s Growing. National and state governments support Chinese language programs.
• It’s Easier than you Think. Basic Chinese grammar is simpler than most European languages and similar to English. You’ll be amazed at how fast you learn with BYU’s STARTALK Chinese program.

Don’t miss this amazing cultural experience!

Thank you for your interest in BYU’s STARTALK Chinese 2012 Summer Camp. Keep checking back for more information!

Questions? Comments? Contact us at:

Applications:
Chinese Flagship Center
3067 JFSB, BYU, Provo, UT 84602
chinese_startalk@byu.edu

BYU Conferences and Workshops
801-422-6759
byu.chinese.startalk@gmail.com