STARTALK summer program elevates Chinese language skills

Twenty local high schoolers improved their Chinese language skills over the summer thanks to UB’s 2025 STARTALK Summer Program, a three-week intensive, tuition-free camp in Chinese language and culture for local high school students.

Led by Chuan Lin, director of the Chinese Program and associate teaching professor in the Department of Linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences, the camp was funded by a $137,500 federal grant from the National Security Agency. Lin was the grant’s principal investigator.

Participants not only had full access to the program at no cost, but also earned three UB credits upon successful completion.

“STARTALK is a highly competitive program that supports innovative language learning in critical languages,” says Lin, “and UB was honored to be selected as one of the participating institutions.”

The 20 students from grades 9–12 — most of whom had little or no previous Chinese language experience — took part in an engaging, learner-centered program designed to build both language proficiency and cultural understanding, says Lin. This was the first time UB was selected for the STARTALK program.

Under Lin’s leadership, and with the support of four experienced Chinese language instructors, students explored Mandarin through daily classroom instruction, small-group practice and task-based activities emphasizing real-world communication.

“Beyond language study, students engaged in hands-on cultural workshops such as Chinese calligraphy, tea ceremony, Chinese guqin and martial arts,” says Lin.

The program culminated with final projects in which students showcased their learning through performances, dialogues and cultural exhibits.

By the end of the program, all participants had demonstrated measurable growth in Mandarin proficiency and expressed excitement about continuing their study of Chinese, according to Lin. Parents and students praised the program for its interactive, immersive approach and for fostering a fun and supportive learning environment.

When asked what they enjoyed most about the program, one student wrote: “Knowing that everyone in the program had a genuine interest in the language and wasn’t there because they ‘had to be.’ The commitment and enthusiasm the students and teachers had was like nothing I've ever seen before.”

“I enjoyed the learning atmosphere the most,” noted another student, “and how the phrases they taught were very effective at getting us to talk early on in the program.”

Many parents and guardians reinforced their children’s positive feedback.

“My child was exposed to and heavily introduced to a new language that can be intimidating for most,” wrote one parent.

“My daughter loved learning about the language and culture that she didn’t know much about previously,” wrote another parent. “The project-based learning has helped her retain the information.”

Lin collaborated closely with Erin Kearney, professor and chair of the Department of Learning and Instruction in the Graduate School of Education, in developing the grant proposal and program design.

Organizers say the 2025 UB STARTALK Program highlights UB’s commitment to global education and its leadership in providing transformative learning opportunities in critical languages for students. It also reflects the dedication of faculty and staff in creating innovative programs that prepare students for the interconnected world.

More information about the STARTALK program at UB can be found online.