2013 STARTALK Mandarin Language Summer Camp
For the sixth year, UMass Boston and STARTALK offer a 15-day, intensive Mandarin Language Summer Camp to Massachusetts students in grades 6-12. Five levels of Chinese language classes are led by experienced instructors and held at Bentley University, Waltham, MA. Applications are required for participation.
Camp-wide Theme for Summer 2013
This year we will focus the language curriculum around the theme of “Contemporary Life” which will compare daily routines of families, schools and neighborhoods found in China and the U.S. With each class having a sub-theme, the vocabulary, dialogue topics and projects will enable students to learn quickly and at an appropriate level, while the camp-wide theme and activities will facilitate students speaking Chinese to each other. Additional classroom-connected activities are Chinese morning exercises and games as well as a field trip to a 19th Century Chinese House! The exchange of culture and language activities presented during summer camp is intended to promote interest and motivation as life-long learners of Mandarin Language.
Novice Chinese, Part 1
“My Family and I”
This course is designed for students with little or no Chinese experience. A goal is to develop basic skills in listening, speaking, character recognition and writing with the focus on listening and speaking. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to properly introduce themselves and family members to friends and their family members. Students will also learn the calendar, colors and weather to share the things they do with their families in simple conversations. Students will make comparisons between customs and activities of families from China and America.
Novice Chinese, Part 2
“My School Life”
This course is designed for students with 1-2 years of prior Chinese language learning experience in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This course will improve skills in listening and language proficiency, motivating students to speak Chinese as vocabularies expand. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to conduct conversations on topics such as daily schedules and school activities, conversing with simple fluency while using basic sentence structures. Students will learn about the differences and similarities between the culture of schools in the U.S and China.
Novice Chinese, Part 3
“Leisure Time on Weekends”
This course is designed for students with 2 years of prior Chinese language learning experience. In addition to improving skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, we will strengthen student language capacity by increasing vocabulary and expanding topics to promote conversational speaking. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to converse with basic fluency about their weekend activities with friends and family: hobbies and interests. They will be able to schedule appointments, make and respond to invitations appropriately, and will learn the relevant cultural differences about leisurely weekends of students in China.
Intermediate Chinese, Part 1
“My Home and My Community”
This course is designed for students with 2-3 years of prior Chinese language learning experience. In addition to improving skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, we will strengthen student language capacity by using everyday topics to promote conversational speaking. Students will use maps for giving directions, and learn about common modes of transportation in the U.S. and China. Upon the completion of this course students will be able to talk about where they live to describe their homes (inside and out), how they get around, and share community resources (library, restaurant, bank) in comparatively fluent conversation at nearly normal speed.
Intermediate Chinese, Part 2 – Advanced, Part 1
“Studying in China”
This course is designed for students with 3-5 years of prior Chinese language learning experience in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Upon the completion of the course, the students will demonstrate their abilities to conduct meaningful communication in real-world situations in given contexts. Since many students who study Chinese may have the opportunity to study abroad, we will create a scenario of “my host family,” and “my school life in China.” With cultural objectives fully integrated and with a focus on perspectives, students will be able to express their needs, make suggestions, describe and compare living in the two countries, share and discuss important ideas with others.
Post-Daily Program Offering
From 4-5:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, we will offer after-school activities to support learning Chinese culture, such as: martial arts, films, and Chinese games. Our hope is to extend learning as well as accommodate parents' driving schedules.
Note: Friday dismissal time is 4:00 pm, with no after-school classes.
Please indicate on page 1 of the application if you will enroll your child in the post-daily program, the cost is an additional $100.
