Word of Mouth: $100,000 Startalk Grant Boosts Chinese Language Program

Dr. Neal Liang Modern Languages

In an ever-changing global economy, an increasing number of U.S. businesses are looking to China for market advantages. And one UT Arlington professor is offering North Texas schoolchildren the tools they will need to succeed as they begin their careers.

With the aid of a $100,000 grant, Senior Lecturer Dr. Szu-yen (Neal) Liang mentored local teachers and nearly 200 students in UT Arlington’s Student Chinese Program this past summer. The Startalk grant, a prestigious gift from the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland, enabled Liang and his team to meet the growing demand for Mandarin Chinese language classes.

“[The program] is a chance to introduce youngsters to language learning at an early age in a relaxed and fun environment and, in particular, introduce them to a language and culture that is most likely very different from their own,” said, Dr. Antoinette Sol, chair of the Department of Modern Languages. “Children are naturally curious and if you can pique their interest in other languages and cultures early on, it very well may be a determining factor in their choice of studies down the road.”

For four hours a day during June, 179 students (ages 8-16) from Fort Worth, Arlington, Southlake and Dallas met at their local campuses to learn Mandarin Chinese and gain exposure to cultural elements of China. Liang said students learned how to identify various foods, colors, and family members. They also learned about various Chinese festivals and holidays.

Liang said learning a language like Chinese can better prepare students as they consider possible career paths.

“People in the United States, especially in Texas, need to be more aware of the world,” he said. “They need to open up their minds, their understanding, their curiosity to other cultures [and] other languages. And language is the best way to help them open up that door.”

The program has steadily grown in popularity among students and local teachers in the past five years. The Star Talk grant is available to those programs that highlight critical languages such as Chinese or Arabic. It also serves as recognition of how well the program is developing, Liang said. With the additional funds, he hopes to expand next year by including a week-long immersion program for top learners on the UT Arlington campus.

“We are considering taking the top students from each class and inviting them to campus to study, learn, and live — all in Chinese,” he said. “The result will be much more enduring or longlasting.”

Get more information on the program at http://www.uta.edu/modl/chinese/startalk/index.html.