Frequently Asked Questions
K-16 Chinese Language Program
Portland Public Schools (K-12)
University of Oregon Flagship
What is the National Security Education Program (NSEP)?
The National Security Education Program was established
by the National Security Education Act of 1991, which created the
National Security Education Program, the National Security Education
Board and the National Security Education Trust Fund. It seeks to
lead in development of the national capacity to educate U.S. citizens
to:
- Understand foreign cultures;
- Strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness;
- Enhance international cooperation and security.
Visit
their web site
What is the National Flagship Language
Program (NFLP)?
The National Flagship Language Program provides the financial support
to U.S. universities recognized as leaders in the field of language
education. NFLP seeks to produce university graduates, across discipline,
with a superior level of proficiency in languages critical to U.S.
national security.
What is the Oregon Flagship K-16 Chinese
Language Program?
In September 2005, the University of Oregon’s Center for
Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS) and the Portland Public
School District (PPS) became joint recipients of the National Security
Education Program (NSEP) grant to oversee a Chinese K-16 Flagship
program. This cutting edge program aims to develop a new generation
of Americans proficient in Chinese and able to become US/China leaders
in business, government, and other professions. It is the first
of its kind in the nation that implements Chinese language learning
from kindergarten to university (K-16) and will serve as an academic
model for similar programs across the country.
How long will the grant from NSEP last?
This grant was awarded to UO/PPS to develop a long-term successful
sustainable model of Chinese language program and is expected to
continue well into the future.
How and what courses are taught in Chinese
in the K-12?
The Chinese immersion programs in Portland Public School Districts
(PPS) started in 1997 as a grassroots effort by parents and educators,
eager to replicate the success of Japanese and Spanish immersion
programs in the PPS, for a growing Chinese community. Students begin
studying Chinese through developmentally appropriate curriculum
and instruction in kindergarten.
The program is structured on the total language learning approach
incorporating content-based curriculum, explicit language instruction,
and experiential learning practices. Students in the K-12 program
have unparalleled opportunities to connect with communities of Chinese
speakers through service learning, internships, and study abroad
in China.
In 2005, the PPS Flagship program had over 350 students. This number
will increase significantly as the immersion program expands its
capacity due to the increasing demand.
What methods and textbooks do you recommend
for Chinese K-12 learning?
Currently most Chinese K-5 language teachers are creating their
own materials specific to district curriculum requirements for math,
science and social studies. However, the Asia
Society is a leading source for textbook and curriculum recommendations.
What is the UO Chinese Flagship Program?
The UO Chinese Flagship is a demanding program designed to take
advanced Chinese language learners to Superior level language proficiency.
Students selected for the program can choose from the 137 different
academic majors offered at the University of Oregon. In addition,
students are required to take a set of core courses specially designed
for the Flagship Program taught exclusively in Chinese. Upon passing
the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), a Chinese Ministry of Education
standard test, students will spend their junior year at the prestigious
Nanjing University in China. There they will integrate into regular
courses in their own major and exercise their language skills in
an all Chinese environment. Students will also receive career counseling,
introductions to government and private employers, and internship
opportunities to help them start their careers in the right direction.
Who should apply to the UO Flagship Program?
This program is designed for advanced Chinese language learners
determined to achieve Superior language proficiency for use in their
future career path. Applicants should have advanced verbal and written
Mandarin Chinese skills, a strong scholastic background, and extra
curricular involvement in their schools or communities. For specific
requirements please visit
this page.
Can international students apply to the
UO Flagship program?
Yes, UO Flagship Program welcomes all promising students regardless
of background. However, the Flagship Program is clearly not designed
for native Chinese speakers coming from Chinese high schools.
Can international students apply for the
UO Flagship scholarship?
There are many scholarships available for international students.
However you have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
to receive the NSEP Flagship scholarship.
Do I have to major in Chinese?
No. Students are able to pursue degrees in any of the 134 academic
programs offered at the UO. Students can major in areas such as
Political Science, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Law,
Accounting, Journalism, Business Management, Molecular Biology,
or even Chinese. But each term Flagship students are required to
take a set of specially designed content courses, taught in Chinese.
What kinds of scholarship opportunities
are available? What are the deadlines?
High school students needing financial aid are encouraged to apply
for various scholarships available to them through the University
of Oregon and other private/public organizations. The top students
selected to the Flagship Program will receive Flagship funds to
help cover tuition, housing, books and materials expenses.
Flagship applications for 2007-2008 academic year will be accepted
starting from November 1, 2006. The deadlines for the Fall 2007
Chinese Flagship Program and Flagship scholarship applications is
January 30, 2007.
For more information please visit
this page.
How can I apply for the Flagship scholarship?
What are the criteria for selecting students and for granting scholarships?
Interested students must first apply for undergraduate admission
to the University of Oregon. A separate Chinese Flagship Program
application must be submitted to the UO Center for Applied Second
Language Studies (CASLS) on or before January 30. Students seeking
the Flagship scholarships must complete a separate Flagship scholarship
application form and submit it by Jan. 30. This application form
is available here.
The Flagship selection committee will carefully review all application
materials based on the following criteria: Chinese proficiency,
community involvement, academic record, teacher recommendations,
and the ways in which the student will add to the depth and diversity
of the Flagship program.
How do you assess applicants' Chinese
proficiency?
Students deemed appropriate for the program will undergo a Chinese
proficiency interview. In future years, students will take the Chinese
STAMP test to determine if they have advanced level proficiency.
How many students will be accepted in
the program each year?
In 2006, the UO Flagship Program will start with around 15 scholarship
and non-scholarship students. The program is expected to grow each
year and cap-off, accepting no more than 25 new students per year.
What courses are Flagship students required
to take?
During their freshman and sophomore years, Flagship Program participants
will be required to take designated Flagship content and adjunct
Chinese language strategies courses each term.
Content Course: These courses are designed for the Flagship
program and will be taught exclusively in Chinese using the expertise
of the over 25-Chinese speaking faculty members on the UO campus.
The content course will be a rotation of natural sciences, social
sciences, and humanities classes. Content courses focus on honors-level
learning in that subject and not the mechanics of language learning.
Language Strategies Course: Advanced academic language skills
will be taught in the adjunct Language Strategies course. This class,
based on subject matter and materials from each specific content
course, will have a strong emphasis on language learning strategies,
specifically aimed at improving students’ reading and writing
skills.
Are there any requirements for students
to maintain their Flagship scholarship?
Flagship students on scholarship are required to meet the following
terms and conditions:
- take two required Chinese Flagship courses each term in their
freshman and sophomore year
- take a minimum of 12 credits each per term
- take regular Chinese language (project, oral, written, and STAMP)
proficiency assessments
- maintain an academic year GPA of 3.0 or higher
- participate in the Flagship Junior year abroad program to Nanjing,
China
Students not meeting the conditions of the scholarship program
will be taken off the scholarship.
Students will work with the Academic Director to develop a customized
language development plan and benchmarks. Scholars whose language
proficiency remains below proficiency level at the end of the year
will be taken off the scholarship.
Scholars will not be allowed to “stop out” of the scholarship
for a term or a year without explicit emergency approval from the
Program Coordinator. Scholars will not be allowed to “stop
out” to study at another institution without documented prior
approval from the Academic Director. Students may remain in the
Chinese Flagship program but will be allowed to reapply after 1
year. If a scholar drops out or is dropped from the program their
scholarship will be awarded to a student on the waiting list.
Can non-scholarship students participate
in the program?
Yes. Students not receiving scholarships but deemed qualified for
the program are encouraged to enroll in the program. Flagship staff
will help them apply for scholarships, but there is no guarantee
that all costs will be covered. If scholarship recipients leave
the program for any reason, Flagship participants will be eligible
to apply for the available scholarships.
Can graduate students apply to the program?
No. We only accept undergraduate students. Graduate students who
are interested in the program can apply for the Chinese Flagship
Program at the Brigham
Young University or the Ohio
State University.
Can I apply to the program if I am a current
student at the UO? / Can I transfer from other schools to the UO
Chinese Flagship Program?
As for 2006, we only accept high school seniors. Following the
2006 inaugural year, students in any year of undergraduate study
can apply for the scholarship and participate in the Flagship Program.
Qualified students from other universities can apply for our program
as well.
Am I required to study at Nanjing University?
Yes. All students will be required to study in the regular Nanjing
University program.
How will the UO Chinese Flagship Program
be evaluated?
As the Chinese Flagship Program is a new program, we expect to
draw on our experiences and feedbacks from our students. All Chinese
Flagship courses will be evaluated by students at the end of each
term.
How about the housing at the UO?
Scholars and program participants will be required to live at the
International House for their freshman year.
- The International House offers a unique living environment that
will help promote Flagship students language acquisition through
interacting with other Chinese speaking students on the UO campus.
- This international living and learning environment will provide
freshman seminar classes, talks in study lounges and Chinese cooking
classes.
- The International House (I-House) is conveniently located to
help maximize students connection to the college experience. It
is across from the Recreation Center, the international lounge
in the EMU and other on-campus resources.
Housing application fee is $30. Students who are awarded Flagship
scholarships will get a refund in the fall.
Scholars and program participants will be encouraged to continue
living at the International House after their freshman year. Students
choosing not to stay in the dorm will be reimbursed up to the established
housing amount by the UO Financial Aid.
Am I required to room with other Flagship
students? Can I choose my roommate?
For the most part, Flagship students will not be rooming with other
Flagship participants. Although each room is set up for double occupancy,
you may select single occupancy on your application form. But if
you have friends who are also in the Flagship program, you can decide
to share a room with them. Please check out Housing
on UO website.
Am I required to work for the government
after graduation?
Although the Chinese Flagship Program is funded by the National
Security Education Program (NSEP), students don't have any obligation
to look for government related jobs after graduation. They can decide
whether to work for various government agencies or to pursue a career
in business, education, and non-profit organizations.
History of the Oregon Flagship K-16 Chinese Program
| Sept 1997 |
First students enter Woodstock Elementary Chinese
immersion program
|
| Sept 2003 |
Atkinson Elementary Chinese heritage program established
|
| Sept 2003 |
First group of Chinese immersion students enter Hosford Middle
School
|
| Sept 2004 |
Franklin World Language Instituted offers a heritage Chinese
language program
|
| July 2005 |
National Security Language Program Call for Chinese K-16
Program Proposal
|
| Aug 2005 |
NSEP Flagship Site Review
|
| Sept 2005 |
Chinese K-16 Flagship Program Award
|
| Sept 2005 |
Flagship Public Announcement at Franklin High School
|
| Nov 2005 |
Site visit from National Flagship Language Program Development
and Visioning Consultant Susan Duggan
|
| Jan 2006 |
UO Flagship Chinese New Year Celebration and Academic Director
Introduction
|
| Jan 2006 |
UO Application deadline
|
| Sept 2006 |
Woodstock classes double in capacity
|
| Sept 2006 |
First group of Chinese Flagship Program students enter the
University of Oregon |
|
