Here are a few tips before you begin:

* Complete this application on a PC. It may be difficult to complete on your phone.

* 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. (Returning students from 2023 do not provide teacher references.)

* 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. (You may want to prepare this before you start.) 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! (Even returning students must submit a speaking sample. Students who are unable to introduce themselves may omit the sample.)

Preview the entire 2024 application here before you begin: http://tinyurl.com/ST2024app 

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IN-PERSON PROGRAM DATES: July 15th – August 2nd, 2024 Monday - Friday

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

PROGRAM ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES: Required pre-program activities will be offered in the months leading up to the in-person program. All activities can be completed online, asynchronously, with some options for in-person attendance. On average, students should plan to devote around 2.5 hours per month to pre-program activities from February - July. (Students who enroll later would spend a bit more time each month.) Post-program activities will also be offered after the in-person summer program. Students who enroll in the program are expected to participate in program enrichment activities. More info on these activities will be shared as details are finalized. 2024 activities will be similar to activities offered in 2023, with options for differentiation.

MODALITY: Our 2024 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 predominately 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 2024. 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 and no exceptions can be made.

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 31, 2024 to receive priority consideration. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting at this time, and selected students will be invited to enroll and begin pre-program activities. Students who are not selected initially will remain on the waitlist. We will continue enrolling qualified students on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled.

ATTENDANCE: Students who accept a spot in the program must commit to attend the entire program. Students who are absent more than two days will not be allowed to continue the program. Students who accept a spot in the program agree to complete pre-program enrichment activities as they are assigned in order to maintain their spot in the summer program and receive college credit, if applicable. 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. Due to curriculum updates, it is possible that not all levels will offer college credit in 2024. Additionally, students who repeat the same level as a previous year may not receive additional credit. In general, students are advised to attend STARTALK for the joy of learning Chinese; college credit is an added bonus that is not guaranteed.

ACCEPTANCE RATE: Acceptance rates vary by year depending on number of applications received. Complete applications have the best chances of success.

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 may still apply.

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.

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

Link to this application: