Students across the country are learning “strategically important” languages in Startalk.
The mission was to increase the number of American children learning languages such as Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Korean to keep up with the global economy and as development of national safety.
In Fresno, 72 students – 5th to 12 graders are writing characters, speaking Chinese even learning Kung Fu.
The immersion is 90% Chinese and 10% English with students starting by learning how to say their name and singing songs.
At graduation, the children presented the skills they learned in the culmination of the 13 day program in Fresno.
The Federal Government started the program as a National Security Language initiative part of Homeland Security during the Bush Administration in 2006.
Startalk is at 96 sites across the nation.
Fresno’s program has been running for the past 5 years.
