2010 Valparaiso University Summer Advanced Chinese Program in China

Valparaiso University (VU) invites undergraduate and graduate students, and K-12 teachers with US citizenship, who have studied at least two years of college Chinese or its equivalent to participate in the 2010 VU Summer Advanced Chinese Program (SACP) to be held in Hangzhou, China. Built on the success of the 2008 and 2009 programs and funded by a grant from the US Department of Education, the 2010 VU SACP is designed to enable students to complete third-year college Chinese through intense, personalized instruction and integration of language learning with immersion in local Chinese culture and society in a city known for its rich tradition, natural beauty, and modern life. Through significant improvement in communication skills in Chinese, the 2010 SACP will help prepare participants to enter competitive graduate programs, pursue careers that require Chinese language competency, or teach in K-12 schools (if previously licensed).

The 2010 SACP will enroll nationwide up to 25 qualified participants. The deadline to apply is March 31^st, 2010. However, admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants and will close once the enrollment is full. Therefore, interested applicants should apply early. A phone interview will ensue upon receiving the complete application to ensure suitability and language preparation. Admitted participants are required to pay a $200 deposit to hold their space.

Program Design and Goals
The 2010 VU Summer Advanced Chinese Program (SACP) consists of two phases:

Phase 1: May 24 through June 14, 2010 – This three-and-half-week phase is designed for participants who have completed at least two years of college Chinese or its equivalent but are not yet fully prepared for intensive third year Chinese offered through the 2010 SACP; or who have studied Chinese previously or lived in China for an extended period of time but have experienced a lapse in language proficiency.
Phase 2: June 15 through August 10, 2010 – This 8-week phase is designed to complete the highly-demanding, intensive third-year Chinese with ample ongoing opportunities to interact directly with the local population and culture.

Applicants of the 2010 VU’s SACP can choose to participate in Phase 1 or 2 individually or both phases of the program depending on their language skills and needs. VU will interview each participant to determine if he or she is ready to enter Phase 2 directly.

Curriculum

Phase 1: Phase 1 will use Integrated Chinese, Level I Part II (3^rd edition, Lessons 6-10) as the basic text for review along with a significant number of supplemental instructional materials drawn from various sources. Weekly instruction includes grammar and intensive reading, listening and speaking, and group study (used primarily for group projects such as presentations), cultural lectures, and 4-6 hours of individual drill sessions per week with native Chinese drill instructors. Weekends are reserved for language-driven, cultural-learning assignments and trips to Nanjing and other places.

Phase 2: Phase 2 will use Integrated Chinese, Level II, Part I (3^rd edition) and Step by Step Chinese, Intensive Chinese Book 1 & 2 as the basic texts along with instructional materials drawn from other sources. Weekly instruction includes grammar and intensive reading, listening and speaking, advanced writing, group study (primarily for group projects), and 4-6 hours of individual drill sessions per week with native Chinese drill instructors. In addition, this phase includes weekly lectures on Chinese culture and literature, Chinese calligraphy classes, erhu classes, and a four-day mid-session break for individual travel. Group trips to Xi’an and Shanghai are also included in this phase.

Academic Credits

Participants of Phase 2 may apply and receive up to eight graduate credits from VU (for an additional fee).

Application and Admission

In addition to submitting completed application materials, each prospective participant will be phone-interviewed by VU personnel to assess whether he/she qualifies for the 2010 SACP as well as which phase of study is appropriate. An admission decision will be made shortly after the phone interview.

Participants accepted into the program must possess a valid US passport (for those who do not have US passports yet, please apply immediately) and present a copy of valid health insurance to VU.

To request an application packet or inquire further about the 2010 SACP, please contact program coordinator, Jamie Haney at Jamie.Haney@valpo.edu or program director Zhimin Lin at Zhimin.Lin@valpo.edu.

Fees (Fees reflect a large subsidy made possible by a grant from the US Dept of Education)

Item	Amount	Explanation
Phase 1 Program Fee (three and half weeks)	$1,400	Includes housing, Instruction, instructional materials, and all program-sponsored activities and local travel.
Phase 2 Program Fee (eight weeks)	$1,800	Includes housing, Instruction, instructional materials, and all program-sponsored activities and local travel.
Phases 1 & 2 (combined) (eleven and half weeks)	$2,800	Includes housing, Instruction, instructional materials, and all program-sponsored activities and local travel.
Optional graduate credits from VU for successful completion of Phase 2	(Optional) $ 0 to $2,800	Up to 8 graduate credits from VU at $350 each (this represents a 23% discount for those opting to register for credits, as 8 VU graduate credits normally cost $3,600).
International airfare*	Airfare over $1,250	VU/DoE will pay up to $1,250 per participant for international airfare on a US-based airline. Any amount over $1,250 is the responsibility of the participant.
Chinese entry visa fees*	$130*	Students must obtain their own passport and visa. Chinese entry visa currently costs $130.

Notes:

Travel to and from US airport is NOT included in the above fees.
Participants are responsible for their own medical insurance (all participants must demonstrate valid health insurance coverage prior to starting the 2009 Program).
Participants pay for their own meals (other than group meals) in China, which average $8 per day.
All other incidental or personal expenses.
Please note: VU offers a limited number of scholarships to students pursuing VU’s Master in Arts in Chinese Studies program. Please contact Zhimin.Lin@valpo.edu or Jamie.Haney@valpo.edu for more information.

Contact Information

Contact Mrs. Jamie Haney, Coordinator of VU's Master of Arts in Chinese Studies program, at Jamie.Haney@valpo.edu, 219-464-5313 or 800-821-7685, or Professor Zhimin Lin, Director of VU's Master of Arts in Chinese Studies Program, at Zhimin.Lin@valpo.edu.
For more information about VU's MACS program (Master of Arts in Chinese Studies) and past Summer Advanced Chinese Programs, please visit www.valpo.edu/chineseandjapanesestudies/macs/index.html or www.valpo.edu/grad/macs