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STARTALK FAQs

Q: What is STARTALK? 

A: STARTALK is a federally funded program that seeks to expand and improve the teaching and learning of strategically important world languages that are not now widely taught in the US. STARTALK’s mission is to increase the number of Americans learning, speaking, and teaching critical need foreign languages by offering K-16 students and teachers of these languages creative and engaging summer experiences that exemplify best practices in language education and in language teacher development.

Q: Can you provide information about the School of Curriculum and Teaching at Kean University?

A: The School of Curriculum and Teaching focuses on best practices for learning and teaching in 21st century K-12 learning environments.  STARTALK student and teacher language programs along with other language education programs are housed in the School of Curriculum and Teaching in the College of Education.

Q: What are the dates of the program?

A: The dates vary from summer to summer. Dates for the current year may be found on the STARTALK Home Page.

Q: Where is the program being held?

A: The program will take place online from 8:45- 3:15 with multiple breaks between learning episodes.

Q: Who is the target audience for this program?

A: This program is designed for Hindi/Urdu high school/early college heritage language speakers.

Q: Why should my son/daughter enroll in this program?

A: Students will have the opportunity to increase their oral language proficiency and further develop literacy skills through engaging and interactive instruction that integrates the latest learning technologies. They will also be able to earn college and/or high school credits through the New York University Hindi/Urdu Proficiency Test upon successful completion of the program. Test results are certified by NYU and may also be used for future employment purposes, as well as for obtaining academic credit. As a result of the program, many students are motivated to continue the study of Hindi or Urdu.

Q: What is involved in the application process?

A: Each student should first complete a Preliminary Online Application Form. If the application is approved, s(he) will be notified within a week by a member of the Selection Committee to arrange a date for a telephonic interview in Hindi/Urdu and a brief electronic pre assessment of reading and writing skills to be completed at home. Dependent on the results of the assessment, each student will then receive a formal letter of acceptance to the program and information about the registration process.

Q: Can you provide an overview of the program?

A: The Student Program will enroll Hindi/Urdu Intermediate/Advanced level heritage language learners in a three-week online learning experience totaling 75 instructional hours. The program goal is to increase students' language proficiency by one or more sub-levels in one or more skill areas in Reading, Speaking and Writing and to improve intercultural skills through daily virtual interactions with students from India and Pakistan through Global Project-Based Language Learning. Global PBL includes lessons that focus on global and/or human rights issues and the development of possible solutions. Hindi/Urdu teachers, who participated in past STARTALK Programs and in Continuing Teacher Education Programs, will serve as instructional facilitators in both onsite/online learning environments (information about project personnel may be found on the STARTALK page of our website). Proficiency gains will be determined at the culmination of the program through administration of the NYU Proficiency Test in Hindi/Urdu. Dependent on assessment outcomes, students will be eligible to earn college credit and/or New Jersey high school credit (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.18: Provides students in public schools the opportunity to receive instruction in and graduation credit for a world language not taught in their school district)

Q: How will technology be integrated into the program?

A: The integration of technology tools to support and enhance instruction is a key component of this program. The use of Skype/Videoconferencing and various Web 2.0 tools occurs throughout the duration of the program.

Q: What are some of the specific anticipated student outcomes as a result of participation in this program?

A: By the end of the program, students will be able to:

  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of selected authentic informational and literary texts related to the project theme/global issue.
  • Demonstrate comprehension of live and recorded presentations/clips made by Hindi/Urdu educators, experts and government officials on topics related to the global issue.
  • Ask/answer questions and discuss orally/in writing topics related to the global issue.
  • Interview professionals from the local Hindi/Urdu Community to obtain additional perspectives.
  • Communicate in Hindi/Urdu using appropriate verbal and nonverbal strategies.
  • Analyze, synthesize and weigh information gained about the issue that considers Indian, Pakistani and American perspectives and propose possible solutions.
  • Demonstrate growth to the next proficiency sub level in one or more skill areas as evidenced by the NYU Proficiency Test.
  • Write a reflection on how the ability to effectively communicate in the Hindi/Urdu language and to understand multiple cultural perspectives provides access to resources and opportunities for collaboration that contributes to local/global improvement.

Q: What is the process for obtaining NJ high school credits for achieving higher levels of language proficiency?

A: According to New Jersey administrative code 6A:8-5.1(a)1i(7), students may fulfill the state minimum five-credit high school graduation requirement for world languages through a seat-time instructional program or by successfully completing a proficiency/competency-based exit test. The Department of Education offers guidelines on selecting proficiency assessments that may be used by districts. These assessments are used in the Kean STARTALK Program. Further, N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(b)4 directs districts to actively encourage all students who otherwise meet the current-year requirements for high school graduation to accrue, during each year of enrollment, five credits in world languages aimed at preparation for entrance into postsecondary programs or 21st-century careers.

In addition, it is important to note the following:

For students in public schools that do not currently offer Hindi or Urdu as part of their world language program, N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.18: Provides students in public schools the opportunity to receive instruction in and graduation credit for a world language not taught in the public school district. The process is as follows:

  1. The student and his/her parents must submit a  written request to the high school principal through the supervisor of world languages seeking to be granted graduation credit for a language program not offered in the local public school district. (Sample letter may be found on the project website.)
  2. The student must also submit the already completed Non-Public School World Languages Program Application Form describing the Kean STARTALK Program (found on the project website) to be submitted to the local public school district through the world languages supervisor for program approval.
  3. The district notifies Kean of program approval.
  4. Kean certifies student completion of the program based on specified instructional objectives and assessment results on the NYU Proficiency Test.
  5. The district awards credits, the number of which is dependent on the results of the NYU proficiency test. Since the current state proficiency level for world languages has been identified by the Department of Education as Novice-High, the goal is for students in the Kean STARTALK Program to earn additional credits for attaining higher levels of proficiency beyond the level documented by  pre assessments prior to their enrollment in the STARTALK Program.

For students in public schools that offer Hindi, the same process may be followed provided that students attain higher levels of proficiency beyond the level documented by pre assessments prior to their enrollment in the STARTALK Program.

Q: What is the process for obtaining college credits for achieving higher levels of language proficiency?

A:  With regard to college admission office evaluation of student transcripts, many colleges and universities will recognize the proficiency ratings obtained through the NYU Proficiency Test and/or the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview for the awarding of credits. Some colleges may use the proficiency rating to waive college language requirements or to place students in more advanced courses. However, if possible, it is recommended that students interested in pursuing language study in a less commonly taught language (e.g., Hindi, Urdu) for credit, consult with the institution of higher education they are seeking to attend. All colleges will be able to verify their credit requirements for world languages and provide a list of languages that they will consider for admission purposes. Note that documentation/certification of proficiency levels by the NYU and ACTFL tests is recognized by institutions and corporations worldwide and will be beneficial for future employment purposes as well.