Welcome to the Chinese Language Flagship Program!
Dare Norman, Musical Theatre major, studied in Qingdao with a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship
Tyler Prochazka, fourth year International Affairs and Asian Religions and Cultures double major traveled during Princeton in Beijing summer program last summer. This summer, he is in China again on a Critical Language Scholarship.
Hannah Garland, International Affairs and Asian Religions and Cultures double major, speaks with Instructor Xiaona Zhang at Flagship BBQ
Jessica Brumley, a third year student in Flagship, went to Suzhou, China on a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship. Summer of 2014 she will be in Taipei, Taiwan
Flagship students studied abroad together in Xi'an, China in Winter 2014
Our program
The Chinese Language Flagship Pilot Program at WKU became the 9th such program in the nation in 2009. Sponsored by The Language Flagship, an initiative of the National Security Education Program within the Defense Language and National Security Education Office, our program seeks to bring students from the beginning level of Chinese proficiency to the Superior level during their undergraduate career. Students take Flagship courses every semester in addition to their major or minor coursework, with the intent to reach professional proficiency in the language. Students also participate in many funded intensive Chinese language opportunities in the U.S. and China during the Winter or Summer terms. All students, upon reaching the Advanced-Mid level of proficiency, may apply for participation in a Capstone Year in China. The Capstone Year consists of one semester of direct enrollment at Nanjing University, followed by a 4-6 month professional internship in their field of study in China. Students who complete this requirement and test at the Superior level will receive certification through the National Security Education Program.
Our students…
- Are all students in the Honors College at WKU,
- Represent 21 degree programs across all 5 of WKU’s academic colleges,
- With few exceptions, start the program with no prior knowledge of Chinese,
- Include 3 graduates of The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky,
- Typically travel to China at least once per year,
- Engage in Chinese class 5 days a week and spend additional time with tutors, and
- Are successfully applying for nationally competitive scholarships
Chinese Flagship Program at WKU is seeking applications for the position of Academic Director.
Job Description / Prospectus.
Events & Deadlines
August 25- First Day of Classes
September 6- Annual WKU Flagship Orientation
September TBA- Capstone Application Workshop
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