Themed “Embracing Cultural Diversity in Our Community,” the 2025 CAC STARTALK Chinese Student Program aims to develop students’ target language proficiency and increase their motivation to learn Chinese through integrating cultural elements in task designs and meaningful socialization in the diverse community in the Research Triangle area. Integrating culture, content, and language, our rich curriculum will cultivate students’ ability to produce the target language in a culturally immersed environment and develop intercultural communicative competence. 24 students in Grades 9-12 at the Chinese proficiency level between Novice-High and Intermediate-Mid will be selected to join the program. Featuring 104 instructional hours, the two-week residential program at UNC-Chapel Hill from July 13 to 26, 2025, will provide various resources and opportunities to assist with students’ learning, including a wide range of authentic materials, connections with native Chinese speakers from diverse cultural backgrounds, and community-based learning through field trips to a local Chinese restaurant, Asian supermarket, community garden, and art museum. Throughout the program, the instructional team will provide continued guidance and feedback to the student participants and encourage reflective learning and community building.

Please fill out this application if you are interested in participating in the 2025 Carolina Asia Center STARTALK Chinese Summer Academy. We welcome all students in North Carolina who meet the grade level and target language proficiency criteria of the program to apply regardless of prior STARTALK program participation. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the spots are filled. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before November 30th.