Cultural Programs

STARTALK Chinese Language and Culture Summer Programs
K-12 Teacher Program
Middle and High School Student Program
Optional Study Trip to China

K-12 Teacher Program
Time: June 23 - July 14, 9:00a.m.-3:30p.m.
Location: Bryant University

This three-week summer program provides vigorous professional development on Chinese language and culture for current and prospect K-12 teachers in New England area, followed by an optional two-week subsidized study trip to China. The program offers:

Language Track for Chinese language teachers from public, private and heritage schools. During the first week, participants will receive intensive training on language teaching methodology, strategies, standards, contents, and technology. During the second and third week, participants will be asked to teach practicing classes with middle and high school students in the morning, and participate in cultural workshops and activities in the afternoon.

Culture Track for teachers of social studies, history, arts, literature, science and other subject areas who are interested in incorporating China contents into their curriculum. The track will focus on providing participants with knowledge and classroom activities about Chinese culture and history. At the same time, participants will spend about half of the time learning basic language skills, which will enable them to conduct daily conversations in Chinese upon completion of the program and develop a better understanding of Chinese culture through the language.

Other major features of the programs include:

• Certificate of 100 hours professional development
• Lectures and seminars by renowned scholars
• Workshops by experienced K-12 teachers to share lesson plans and activities
• Field trip to the Peabody Essex Museum (Ying Yu Tang and China exhibits), Boston Chinatown, and Kam Man Market, Quincy, MA
• Mini grants ($400) available for outstanding lesson plans and innovative classroom activities
• Eligibility to participate in a two-week optional subsidized study trip to China (July 16 – July 29) at additional cost.
  Learn more…

Application
The application deadline is March 31 and the program is full now.

For questions, please contact:
Kongli Liu, Assistant Director for Academic Programs
U.S.-China Institute
Bryant University
1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917
Tel: 401-232-6566
Email: kliu1@bryant.edu

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Middle and High School Student Program
Time: June 30 - July 14, 9:00a.m.-3:30p.m.
Location: Bryant University

This program provides partiicpants an opportunity to engage in a two-week intensive Chinese language study and cultural immersion experience on Bryant campus, followed by an optional 2-week subsidized study trip to China.

Main features:

• Small group classroom instruction to accommodate multiple levels of Chinese  proficiency and different learning styles
• Rich cultural activities and workshops associated with language learning
• An optional cultural enrichment study trip to China
• A proven safe campus for middle school and high school students to study and establish friendship
• Experienced teachers from China

Major activities:

• Chinese Language course in the morning: taught by Bryant professors, Chinese language professors from China, and teachers from K-12 schools, including interactive activities such as role playing, group activities, and games
• Cultural workshops in the afternoon: Martial arts, calligraphy, table tennis, and the Olympic Games etc.
• Weekend field trips: Peabody Essex Museum (Ying Yu Tang and China-related exhibits), Chinatown in Boston, and Kam Man Market, a Chinese shopping plaza in Quincy, MA

Application
Applicants should submit the following:

• Application Form
• Bryant University Liability Waiver Form
• Cover letter addressing “Why I want to participate in the Chinese Summer Study Program”
• Latest copy of your transcript
• One (1) recommendation letter from a teacher
• $50 appliction fee payable to Bryant University (non-refundable)

The application deadline is April 3 and the program is full now.

For questions, please contact:
Mary Ye at china@bryant.edu or 401-232-6883.

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Study Trip to China
Teacher participants and high school student participants of 2008 STARTALK program are eligible to apply for this two-week subsidized study trip to China from July 16 to July 29 at an estimated cost of $2,500.

Travelers will first visit cultural and historical sites in Beijing and experience the pre-Olympics atmosphere as well. Then the group will travel to Shandong Province, the hometown of Confucius to explore authentic Chinese culture and its root. In Shandong, participants will also join Chinese middle and high school students and teachers in a 5-day summer camp on Confucian thoughts and culture.

Main visits and activities:
Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Olympic sites, and more
Shandong: Jinan, Qufu (hometown of Confucius), Confucius Temple, Mount Tai, and more
A five-day summer camp with middle and high school Chinese students and teachers in Qufu

The $2,500 participant cost will cover international airfare, visa application fee, and some program fees. The trip is subsidized by Hanban (The Office of Chinese Language Council International) in China, which will cover domestic travel in China.

Application and deposit of $500 is due on April 15.

Visa application form (pdf)
Visa application form instruction (pdf)
Sample visa application form - page 1 (pdf)
Sample visa application form - page 2 (pdf)