STARTALK APPLICATION PROCESS

Thank you for your interest in STARTALK at Queens University of Charlotte: Celebrating Chinese! 

Here are a few tips before you begin:

• Obtain the email address of a teacher who is willing to provide a brief reference for you. Without the correct email address, the teacher will not receive the reference request.

• Be prepared to answer a few short answer questions about your motivation for enrolling in this program. Your responses do not need to be long.

• If you have any prior experience learning or speaking Mandarin Chinese, be prepared to record a brief speaking sample and provide a link to your sample. If you do not know how to create a link to an audio file, please reach out to queensstartalk@gmail.com and we will help you figure it out so that you can submit your application!

Preview the entire 2023 application here before you begin: https://bit.ly/3Wcq5MX


PROGRAM INFORMATION

IN-PERSON PROGRAM DATES: July 10th - July 28th, 2023 at Queens University of Charlotte

TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Late pickup available from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

MODALITY: Our 2023 program will take place in-person unless there are unforeseen circumstances that require us to change to a hybrid or virtual modality or cancel the program. Program enrichment activities will be offered online. This is NOT a residential program where students spend the night.

AGES: Students who will be in 7th grade through those who will be college freshmen in August of 2023. Students will be placed in classes based on grade level and proficiency.  We will make decisions on which language levels to offer to which grades based on the applicant pool. Beginners in any grade are encouraged to apply; prior experience is not required and it is never to late to start learning a new language! Age/grade level will be verified during the enrollment process.

COST & FEES: There is no cost for this program. Lunch and snack are provided free of charge. There is no application fee. Students may bring money the day of the field trip for optional purchases.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Submit your application by January 10, 2023 to receive priority consideration. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting at this time, and qualified students will be invited to enroll and begin pre-program activities. We will continue enrolling students until all spaces are filled and maintain a waitlist in case spaces become available leading up to the summer camp.

ATTENDANCE: Students who accept a spot in the program must commit to attend the entire program.  Students who are absent two full days will not be allowed to continue following the second absence. Students who accept a spot in the program must also complete pre-program enrichment activities in order to maintain their spot in the summer program. Attendance is a factor in receiving college credit.

COLLEGE CREDIT:  Students who successfully complete all program requirements may earn college credit at Queens for Chinese 101 or 102 depending on proficiency demonstrated. No high school credit is offered, because we are a university and have no authorization to offer high school credit. We are unable to provide syllabi or program curricula for the purpose of evaluation for high school credit.

ACCEPTANCE RATE: Acceptance rates vary by year depending on number of applications received. In 2023, due to the program changes requiring participation in pre- and post- program activities, our enrollment criteria and procedures will be different than previous years. This new program feature allows families to finalize summer plans more quickly since we will begin enrolling students as early as January, 2023.

SIBLINGS: We will take note of sibling applications but cannot guarantee that all siblings will be accepted. 

RESIDENCY: Due to opportunities to attend in-person activities before and after the program, preference will be given to local applicants who reside full-time in Charlotte or surrounding areas. Students living in the area for the summer are not excluded from applying.

SPEAKING SAMPLE NOTICE: Students with prior experience are required to submit a speaking sample with this application.  The sample should last no longer than one minute and should reflect something the student would be able to say in a conversation or introduction, not something they are reading.  The sample will be uploaded as a link later in the application.

PAST PARTICIPANTS:  One of the main goals of StarTalk is to promote the continued study of critical languages. Therefore, past participants are welcome to re-apply.  In order to give this opportunity to as many deserving students as possible, only students who met high standards of participation, behavior, and attendance will be invited to return.

TAs / TRAINEES: College students or recent college graduates can be hired in paid positions. Advanced students who have participated in our program in the past are excellent candidates for these positions, but prior participation is not required. Please reach out to queensstartalk@gmail.com with inquiries!

Email queensstartalk@gmail.com with questions about the program.