PROGRAM PURPOSE
The 2018 STARTALK STUDENT PROGRAM, offered by the School of Global Education & Innovation, is a
three-week standards-driven, blended language learning program designed for secondary/ early
college heritage language learners who wish to gain higher levels of language and intercultural
proficiency through the study of Hindi/ Urdu in real world contexts and in contemporary learning
environments.
​THEME
“Lifting the Veil of Ignorance: Education for All in India and Pakistan” serves as the 2018 theme for this
Global Project-Based Learning Program, which focuses on the integration of language, culture and
content regarding perspectives and practices impacting the education of “all” children in India/Pakistan.
This theme will guide instruction and learning that will enable students to use the Hindi/Urdu language
to gain new knowledge about education equity as a global issue and as a UN 2030 Sustainable
Development Goal “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all” while further developing oral communication and literacy skills.
LEARNER OUTCOMES
 Use culturally authentic Hindi/Urdu resources to acquire knowledge on a range of issues related to
education equity in India/Pakistan
 Investigate the reasons for education inequities specific to India/Pakistan and propose possible
solutions for a global audience
 Further develop Hindi/Urdu literacy skills, as well as interpersonal and presentational
communication skills at the Advanced level
 Use culturally appropriate verbal and non-verbal behaviors and knowledge gained about cultural
perspectives and practices for effective interaction with Hindi/Urdu speakers.
 LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Throughout the program, learners engage in daily cross-cultural interactions with students from The
Mayoor School in Ajmer, India and The Happy Home School in Karachi, Pakistan, using
videoconferencing/Web-based applications. Together, heritage and native learners frame researchable
questions about issues related to education equity using a variety of sources, leverage their knowledge
of language and culture to develop positions based on evidence that considers multiple perspectives,
and then draw defensible conclusions leading to collaborative actions to address the issue on a
local/regional/global level.
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CREDITS
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to document gains in proficiency through the
NYU Proficiency Test and earn high school / college credits.   Subsequent to the summer program,
students will have the opportunity to enroll in Kean University Hindi or Urdu courses and/or to serve as
student teaching assistants in the 2018 program.Registration Instructions

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1.  Complete the Preliminary Application for Hindi or Urdu ONLINE

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2.  Complete the following required Kean University forms:

• Kean University Registration Eligibility Form

  • (Note: there is a Registration Eligibility Form for High School students and one for College Students)

•  Minor (under 18) Student Participant Eligibility Form if applicable

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3. Mail the forms and a $50 Check payable to KEAN University with the student’s name on the check by the JUNE 30, 2018 Deadline to:

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Janis Jensen, Director, STARTALK Language Initiatives

School for Global Education & Innovation Hutchinson Hall J 305-H
Kean University
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083

4.Complete the appropriate STARTALK Consent Form ONLINE*

• Parent or Minor Consent Form (Ages 5-17)

• Adult Student Consent Form  (Ages 18+)

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*Save the acknowledgement received from STARTALK after completion of the form and forward to:
Nita Yajnik, Hindi Coordinator at nita.yajnik@gmail.com or

Romeena Kureishy, Urdu Coordinator at romeena@hotmail.com