Appalachian State STARTALK Chinese Program

# Appalachian State STARTALK Chinese Program STARTALK is the federal critical-language initiative funded by the National Security Agency, and Appalachian State University's Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures hosts one of its residential summer Chinese programs. Eighteen students live on the Boone, North Carolina campus for three weeks of intensive Mandarin instruction and cultural programming. Because the National Security Agency funds the program directly, students pay nothing. ## What You'll Do - Study Mandarin Chinese intensively with university faculty over a three-week residential session - Live on the Appalachian State campus with meals and lodging provided - Take part in cultural activities and field trips built into the residential program - Work toward Novice Mid/High proficiency across all modes of communication - Earn up to 9 App State college credit hours by reaching the proficiency benchmark ## Who Should Apply "Rising 9th-12th-grade students in the summer of 2026 are eligible for participation in the program. This program is intended for those with limited or no prior exposure to Chinese." That last point matters: this is a beginner-friendly on-ramp, not an advanced camp, so students whose schools do not offer Chinese are the target audience. Enrollment is capped at 18 and admission is rolling. ## Outcomes Participants finish with measured Novice Mid/High Chinese proficiency, potential college credit before starting high school-level Chinese, and a federally funded credential in a critical language. STARTALK covers "all associated costs for accepted students, including (1) tuition and learning materials, (2) meals and lodging, and (3) field trips during the residential program."