What is Startalk?

During June, 2013, the Confucius Institute at the University of Kansas will offer a two-week STARTALK summer language institute designed to give high school students a jumpstart into the study of Chinese language. The United States currently has too few speakers of this critically important language.

STARTALK 2013: C2-Chinese Connect will be the sixth annual STARTALK program offered by the Confucius Institute at the University of Kansas.

STARTALK is a federally funded program under the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI), a set of programs launched in 2006 to increase the number of Americans skilled in strategically important world languages, including Chinese. The mission of STARTALK is to “increase the number of Americans learning, speaking, and teaching critical need foreign languages by offering students (K-16) and teachers of these languages creative and engaging summer experiences that strive to exemplify best practices in language education”.

Who is Eligible?

The program is designed primarily for students who are currently enrolled in or considering enrolling in beginning high school Chinese language classes in the Fall semester. Priority will be given to students who are enrolled in first year Chinese language classes for the Fall semester. Others will be included on a space available basis. Participants may submit applications through their school district. This year's participating districts include: Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Auburn-Washburn, Topeka, KS; Hutchinson, KS; Chanute, KS; Maize, KS; Lawrence, KS; Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, Kansas City MO; Gravette, AR. For information on participating school districts, contact KUStarTalk@ku.edu.

As in past years, there may be a limited number of openings available for local students in the Kansas City area. For information on applying for the waiting list, contact KUStarTalk@ku.edu.