CHS/McDaniel STARTALK program, which is linked to the Maryland state certification process, is designed to provide customized training to 28 teacher-participants.

The program provides an innovative, academically rigorous and standards-based curriculum to assist all participants to develop a solid foundation to pursue continued professional growth as instructors of Arabic or Chinese. Providing a differentiated learning environment, participants are actively involved through presentations, facilitated discussion, peer instruction, group work, role-playing, problem-solving and reflection. During the program, all participants will receive information on state of Maryland teacher licensure procedures, teacher training programs leading to certification, and relevant graduate programs leading to an advanced degree.

The program provides an intensive 2-week 90 hours on campus and 2-week flexible online courses program, leading to three graduate credits. Participants are encouraged to stay on campus but may commute. By the end of the program participants will gain a better understanding of how to connect language instruction to the target cultures, integrate local and cyber Arabic and/or Chinese language communities, work in teams with non-language instructors, and improve their teaching practice, including the use of technology in the classroom.