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The STARTALK Camp at UAB, themed “Exploring Chinese Through Technology and Modern Society,” is structured into two levels: level one for beginners with no prior Chinese knowledge and level two for those who completed level one in 2024, ready to delve deeper into new themes. This program is free, covering meals and snacks throughout the residential summer camp, which spans 7 days with a total of 63 hours of learning on-site.

The curriculum, aligned with STARTALK’s principles, emphasizes a standards-based approach and performance-based assessments. It offers an immersive experience where students explore technology and modern Chinese society, enhancing their language skills in an engaging manner. Participants start with 30 hours of online synchronous learning pre-camp, proceed to the 7-day residential camp at UAB for hands-on learning, and conclude with another 30 hours of online learning post-camp.

By the program’s end, level 1 students are expected to reach at least a Novice-mid to Intermediate-low level of proficiency, while level 2 students aim for an Intermediate low-mid level, in line with ACTFL guidelines. Open to 30 students in grades 9-14, including 20 high school and 10 college students, with a priority given to residents of Alabama. Furthermore, 11th and 12th graders who complete the program have the option to earn 3 college credits. 13th and 14th graders can also gain 3 credits, with 1.5 of these offered for free, providing an additional incentive and benefit for participation in this enriching language and cultural immersion program.