The impact of TCU’s STARTALK Chinese language camp was clear in the notes of gratitude students sent after the program.

“Thank you again for an incredible two weeks and a life-changing experience I will never forget,” wrote one student.

Program creators Muriel Cormican, associate dean of undergraduate studies and professor of German, and Guangyan Chen, associate professor of Chinese, received this message, and many more, from parents and students.

Cormican said the program couldn’t happen without the support of the AddRan Dean’s Office and the Department of Modern Language Studies, as well as the hard work and dedication of Junyu Zhang, instructor of Chinese, and co-creator Chen. She also previously noted that it focuses on promoting language learning and performance, something that requires real commitment and resilience from the students.

The two-week residential camp, made possible by a STARTALK grant from the National Security Agency, brings together high school and college students at no cost to participants. Designed for learners aiming to reach the ACTFL Novice High level of Chinese proficiency, the program immerses students in realistic, culturally rich scenarios that reflect professional environments where language and cross-cultural skills are critical.

With notebooks in hand and curiosity in full swing, students in the “Chinese for the Professions: Navigating Linguistic and Cultural Differences” camp immersed themselves in more than just language.

Through hands-on activities, guest speakers and cultural simulations, participants explored how communication can bridge, or break, barriers in professional settings around the world.

“We want students to use Chinese in their future careers with confidence. This program is about helping them grow, not only as language learners but as global citizens.”

- Associate Professor  Gwen Chen

The STARTALK program is engaging and performance-based. Each day includes structured language instruction, interactive group activities and opportunities for students to practice Chinese in real-world scenarios. The curriculum also includes cultural performances and a variety of student-led presentations, Chen explained.

“This is a performance-oriented foreign language program,” Chen said. “We’ve created a vibrant atmosphere where almost everyone participates in a wide range of performative activities. These include skits, speeches and even talent shows featuring singing, dancing and shuttlecock kicking.”

Chen said one of the most notable outcomes this year was how quickly students adapted to the immersive environment.

“We are pleased to observe that nearly all students developed the habit of speaking Chinese throughout the entire week,” she said. “Our teaching team makes every effort to help students become fully aware of the cultural connotations embedded in the language behaviors they engage in.”

Some of the highlights of the camp were guest lectures delivered entirely in Chinese by Peter Worthing, professor of history, and Carrie Currier, professor of political science.

Drawing from his personal journey as a language learner, Worthing shared how studying abroad and using Chinese in his professional life has shaped his career.

“I think it’s important for the students to hear someone speaking Chinese who is not a native speaker, but rather a learner just like them,” Worthing said. “I hope some of the challenges I talked about will resonate and encourage them to continue their studies.”

Worthing also helped students understand the practical challenges of using Chinese in diverse regions.

Currier’s lecture focused on major events in Chinese history, many of which intersect with her own family’s story. She shared personal photos and spoke about her great-grandfather’s role as an assistant to warlord Zhang Zuolin, and her grandfather’s service in the Chinese Air Force during the 1930s.

“I wanted the students to see that learning Chinese is a lifelong process,” Currier said. “Even when you can’t find the right words, you can try to use the ones you do know. It’s about persistence and communication.”

She also encouraged students to see how language learning can open doors academically and professionally, sharing examples from her own work in Chinese politics and international education.

The STARTALK program supports students not only in language development but also in their future academic and professional paths. Chen said the program’s theme reflects its deeper mission.

“We want students to use Chinese in their future careers with confidence,” she said. “This program is about helping them grow, not only as language learners but as global citizens.”