Our Program

The Chinese Language Flagship Program at WKU became the 9th such program in the nation, and the only program in Kentucky, in 2009. Our program is sponsored by The Language Flagship, an initiative of the National Security Education Program within the Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

How Flagship Works

Flagship focuses on supporting students in reaching a Superior, or professional, level of Chinese proficiency, as determined by the ACTFL scale, during their undergraduate career.  Students take Flagship courses every semester in addition to their major or minor coursework, and participate in many intensive Chinese language opportunities in the U.S. and China during the Winter or Summer terms.

Upon reaching the Advanced-Mid level of proficiency, students apply for participation in a Capstone Year in Nanjing, China or Taipei, Taiwan. The Capstone Year includes advanced level Chinese coursework and direct enrollment at either Nanjing University or National Taiwan University, and a professional internship related to the student’s field of study. Students who complete this requirement and test at the Superior level will receive certification through the National Security Education Program.

Flagship Certified Professionals are highly motivated graduates equipped with the language proficiency and intercultural insights for careers in federal government, global business, nongovernmental organizations, natural sciences, performing arts, and other fields.

Our Students…

• Are all students in the Honors College at WKU,
• Represent majors across all of WKU’s academic colleges,
• With few exceptions, start the program with no prior knowledge of Chinese,
• Include current and former students of The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky,
• Have multiple opportunities to travel abroad,
• Engage in Chinese class five days a week,
• Receive weekly one-on-one tutoring with native speakers, and
• Are successfully applying for nationally competitive scholarships

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Chinese Flagship in the News

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