Application for the 2024 BU Wheelock STARTALK Teacher Academy: Leveraging Technology for Effective Language Instruction
Open to high school and college teachers of Arabic and Chinese. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Application deadline: Jan 10, 2024
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Program Summary 
The BU Wheelock STARTALK Teacher Academy provides training for Arabic and Chinese language teachers that is grounded in STARTALK Principles, evidence-based teaching, and second language acquisition theories and research. Specifically, the program emphasizes integrating technology tools to design and implement innovative, standards- and proficiency-based thematic curricula that are aimed at preparing students for success in a global world. The integration of technology offers a wealth of opportunities to meet the diverse needs of students and to enhance their real-life application of the language. Participants engage in a pre-camp Study Group in which they develop a strong knowledge base on thematic curriculum design, performance-based assessments, and the STARTALK Principles. During the summer camp, participants receive hands-on training and work in small collaborative groups to write their own curricular units, assessments, and supporting material, receive feedback and coaching, engage in critique and analysis of model units and assessments, and engage in micro-teachings to prepare to implement their units. Participants then implement their curricular unit in their own classrooms in the fall. They are supported through a post-camp Mentored Curriculum Implementation, which includes observation and feedback on their teaching, one-on-one coaching, and interactive group meetings. Participants share their units through the BU Wheelock STARTALK Teacher Academy website, making their work open and available to others. This program is offered virtually (synchronous and asynchronous), and provides 120 PDPs and one-year subscriptions to technology tools.
Name (Last, First) *
Your Mailing Address (with a zip code) *
In which city and state do you currently reside?  *
Are you a United States citizen or a permanent resident? *
Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy) *
What is the primary language that you teach or plan to teach in 2024-25? The program is for Arabic and Chinese teachers only.  *
What grade level do you currently teach or plan to teach in 2024-25? (Please check all that apply.) *
Required
Where are you currently teaching Arabic or Chinese? (write the name of your high school/university)  *
What is the address of the high school/university where you are currently teaching?  *
Are you planning to teach in a U.S. high school or university next academic year (2024-25)? *
Are you a native speaker of the language that you teach (Arabic or Chinese)? *
If you are not a native speaker of the language that you teach, how would you best describe your proficiency level in that language? *
Do you hold a U.S. teaching license in the language that you teach? *
Have you participated in a STARTALK teacher training program in the past?  *
If you have participated in a STARTALK teacher training program in the past, which one and when (write the full name of the program and year taken)? If you have not, please write N/A. 
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Background Knowledge 
The following questions are intended to gauge your background level so that we can best tailor the program's curriculum to meet your needs. 
How would you rate your familiarity with the World-Readiness Standards for Language Learning? *
Not familiar at all
Very familiar
How would you rate your familiarity with the STARTALK Principles for Effective Teaching and Learning? *
Not familiar at all
Very familiar
How would you rate your familiarity with STARTALK Principle #1: Implementing Standards-based and Thematically Organized Curriculum? 
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Not familiar at all
Very familia
How would you rate your familiarity with STARTALK Principle #2: Conducting Performance-Based Assessment? 
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Not familiar at all
Very familiar
How would you rate your familiarity with STARTALK Principle #3: Integrating Culture, Content, and Language? 
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Not familiar at all
Very familiar
How would you rate your familiarity with STARTALK Principle #4: Using the Target Language and Providing Comprehensible Input? 
 *
Not familiar at all
Very familiar
How would you rate your familiarity with STARTALK Principle #5: Facilitating a Learner-Centered Classroom? 
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Not familiar at all
Very familiar
How would you rate your familiarity with STARTALK Principle #6: Adapting and Using Age-Appropriate Authentic Materials? 
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Not familiar at all
Very familiar
How would you rate your own ability to implement these principles in your teaching practice?  *
Not proficient at all
Very comfortable implementing this principle
How would you rate your familiarity with the Teacher Effectiveness for Language Learning (TELL) standards? *
Not familiar at all
Very familiar
What goals would you like to achieve through your participation in this program? *
You are required to submit a letter of support from your school/university that stipulates that your institution understands that you will be implementing a new curricular unit in Fall 2024; that will be observed and receive coaching and feedback as part of this program. The letter should be signed by your school principal or someone who has oversight of the curriculum in your school or by your Department Coordinator or Department (if you teach at a university). 
 *
Required
Please read the following statements. When done, please check each one to indicate that you agree. This is a highly interactive, collaborative program that requires high speed, stable internet access, and regular live (synchronous) interactions with course colleagues. For these reasons, we require you to agree to the following conditions: *
Required
The program has three parts: Virtual pre-camp Study Group (10 sessions, January 9-April 16); Virtual Summer Camp (10 sessions, July 8-19 Monday-Friday); and Post-Camp Outreach (8 virtual meetings, 2 teaching observations, and one-on-one coaching, Fall 2024 semester). By checking the box below, you agree to commit to completing all three parts of the program. 120 Professional Developments Points will be awarded upon successful completion of all three parts of the program in addition to one-year subscriptions to technology tools.   *
Required
Is there any additional information you would like to share as part of your application?
A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.
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