ROTC Flagship Summer Language Program

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What is the ROTC Flagship Summer Language Program (ROTC FSLP)?

ROTC Flagship Summer Language Program is an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office and is administered by the Institute of International Education.Western Kentucky University’s ROTC FSLP offers ROTC cadets an eight-week intensive Mandarin immersion experience in Taiwan, combining high-quality language instruction with specialized, real-world professional tracks. Through immersive learning and cultural engagement, cadets strengthen their Chinese language proficiency, develop cross-cultural communication skills, and gain valuable regional knowledge to support their future military careers and national security service.

 

About WKU ROTC FSLP

Dates of Program: May 17 - July 9, 2027

Language: Chinese

Program Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Program Language Levels: Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4

 

Why Join WKU ROTC FSLP?

1. World-Class Flagship Faculty
   1. Curriculum taught by WKU Chinese Flagship professors with decades of experience
   2. Proven track record guiding students to advanced Year 4 proficiency
   3. Individualized instruction and daily 1-on-1 tutoring
      
      

2. Grounded Regional Immersion

   1. Academic partnership with NKNU
   2. Step-by-step scaffolded instruction connecting classroom learning directly to real-world educational excursions
   3. Structured modules exploring geographic terrain, local history, and regional knowledge in Southern Taiwan
   4. Hands-on exploration across urban, rural, and coastal communities in Southern Taiwan
      
      
3. Optional Semiconductor Training
   Gain valuable exposure to Taiwan’s world-leading microelectronics ecosystem through a customized technical language pathway. Tying directly back to your Mandarin development and regional expertise, this module offers tailored tracks for STEM majors (cleanroom lab exposure, IC design workflows, Edge AI concepts) and Non-STEM majors (supply chain resilience, tech business models, geopolitical analysis). Experience exclusive site visits to premier industry showcases—including the TSMC Museum of Innovation and COMPUTEX Taipei—while building specialized domain vocabulary and communication competence.
   
   

Contact Hours

	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4
Credits offered	8	8	6
Number of Classroom Hours per week	16	16	16
Number of Self-Study/Homework Hours per week	7.5	10	10
Number of Hours with a Language Partner per week	2	4	4
Number of Hours of Other Activities per week	5	5	5

 

What is and is not included in the scholarship?

WKU ROTC FSLP provides funding for:

• Tuition/fees for language, culture, and optional semiconductor & non-STEM track
• Lodging
• Travel and transportation expenses
• Textbooks
• Insurance
• Visa (not needed for U.S. Citizens)

ROTC FSLP funding does not cover personal spending money, personal travel, costs to obtain a passport, medication, or expenses for dependents. 

Please Note: ROTC FSLP participants planning to travel abroad MUST have a valid U.S. passport in their possession no later than 90 days before the anticipated travel date. Destinations may require student visas, which take additional processing time.  

 

Additional Application Requirements

Upon admission, participants must complete the WKU Study Abroad Office application process for credit transfer, online pre-departure orientation, and international insurance purposes. 

 

Additional Program Details

Beyond the immersive experience in Taiwan, the program combines online and in-person learning to strengthen student preparation, support long-term language retention, and build technical skills.

• Spring Online Tutoring: Before traveling to Taiwan, students complete 20 hours of required online preparation, including structured language modules, live group sessions, and one-on-one tutoring. This phase builds foundational language skills and provides cultural orientation for the overseas experience.
  
  
• Pre-Departure Semiconductor & AI Online Modules: Students who choose the optional semiconductor training complete self-paced modules developed by WKU STEM specialist Dr. Nabi. Topics include semiconductor fundamentals, AI technologies, U.S. and Taiwanese tech industries, technical vocabulary, and lab safety to prepare students for hands-on training in Taiwan.
  
  
• Post-Summer Language Enhancement: After returning from Taiwan, students may participate in 10–20 hours of optional live online review sessions to reinforce language gains, review technical vocabulary, and continue progressing toward target ILR proficiency levels of Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4.
  
  
• Textbooks and Instructional Materials

  • Year 2 (CHNF 201–202; 8 credit hours; Novice High to Intermediate Mid): Liu, Y., Yao, T., Bi, N.-P., Ge, L., & Shi, Y. (2018). Integrated Chinese: Volume 3 & Volume 4 Textbook (4th ed.). Cheng & Tsui.

  • Year 3 (CHNF 301–302; 8 credit hours; Intermediate Mid to Intermediate High): Chou, C. P., Wang, W., & Chiang, J. (2019). Eyes on China: An Intermediate-Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese (《我看中國》). Princeton University Press.

  • Year 4 (CHIN 333 and CHNF 499; 6 credit hours; Pre-Advanced to Advanced):

    • The Chinese Language Division, Language Center, National Taiwan University. (2025). Multicultural Perspectives on Taiwan (《臺灣多視角》). New Sharing.

    • Mandarin Training Center, National Taiwan Normal University. (2018). A Course in Contemporary Chinese (5) (《當代中文課程（五）》). Linking Publishing.

 

Upcoming Events:

1. Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 2:30 P.M. Eastern Time

   ROTC FSLP Student Information Webinar

   Interested in learning more about the Foreign Language and Area Studies Program (FSLP)? Join this webinar to learn about the program, eligibility requirements, and the application process. The session will also include a Q&A for prospective students.

   Register for the Webinar

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Name: WKU ROTC Flagship Summer Language Program

Email Address: rotc.fslp@wku.edu

Phone: 270-745-2118

 

Application Deadline: January 19, 2027

Apply Now