| Body | From the Arabic-L listserv:
The National Foreign Language Center solicits proposals for participation in the STARTALK project, which is part of a federal initiative to enhance the national capacity for critical need languages. The goal of the STARTALK program is to increase the number and expertise of students and teachers in critical languages. For more information on STARTALK, please visit http://startalk.umd.edu.
In 2015, the STARTALK project will provide funding for programs that occur primarily in the summer in the following categories:
Teacher programs that offer professional development opportunities for current or prospective teachers of Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and/or Urdu. Teacher programs are strongly encouraged to provide a student component to allow classroom observation, teaching practicum, and/or microteaching.
Student programs that offer Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and/or Urdu language study for K–16 students.
Awards for independent and collaborative programs are expected to range from $50,000 to $90,000, based on the number of participants and the type of program being offered; for combination teacher and student programs, awards may be up to $112,500.
If funded, programs will be expected to adhere to STARTALK-endorsed “best practice” principles in implementing programs. Specifically, programs will need to follow the requirements below:
• All instructors and curriculum planners need to review the guides to curriculum development and use the online curriculum planning templates, available at the following URL: https://startalk.umd.edu/curriculum-guide/.
• Curriculum plans for each level of instruction in student programs and for teacher training programs must be submitted for approval.
• Program directors and lead instructors (and/or other program staff members) must attend the 2015 spring conference (if funding is in place) and the 2015 fall conference.
STARTALK Central will provide consultation and support for programs selected for funding. Guidance will also be provided in preparing the documents that will be required prior to program implementation, such as detailed curricula, lesson plans, and descriptions of expected participant outcomes.
Representatives from all funded programs are required to attend the spring and fall STARTALK conferences. Budgets should include the cost of sending at least two representatives to the spring conference (May 8–9, 2015, in Denver, Colorado) and fall conference (October 16–17, 2015, in Orlando, Florida).
Research is an important part of the STARTALK program. If funded, programs will be required to do the following:
• Participate in STARTALK Central online surveys for student and teacher participants
• Participate in LinguaFolio Online for student programs that teach students in middle school and higher
• Respond promptly to all requests for reports, data, and program information
The 2015 STARTALK application is online and located at startalk.umd.edu/proposals. We strongly encourage all applicants to apply online. If you are unable to submit or complete an online application form, please contact us at startalk@nflc.umd.edu. The online proposal application will be available from September 24 to November 4, 2014. However, you may review the application instructions and other support documents starting September 10, 2014. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., November 4, 2014.
Information on the STARTALK proposal and selection criteria is available at startalk.umd.edu/proposals. We strongly encourage all applicants to review the following documents before beginning the proposal writing process:
• Frequently asked questions
• The appropriate STARTALK proposal applicant guides
• Student Program Applicant Guide
• Teacher Program Applicant Guide
• Instructions for writing your budget
If you have additional questions about the online application or the application process itself, please submit them in writing to startalk@nflc.umd.edu no later than Friday, October 10, 2014. Responses will be posted at startalk.umd.edu/proposals/faq on Tuesday, October 21, 2014.
Additionally, help desk support for the STARTALK proposal process will be provided during the following times:
September 24 to October 24,weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (eastern standard time)
October 27 to November 4, weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (eastern standard time)
For assistance with any technological issues, call 301-405-9832 or email startalk-support@nflc.umd.edu. You may wish to include a phone number at which you can be reached.
We thank you for your interest in the STARTALK program.
Sincerely,
Catherine Ingold
Director, NFLC
Arabic-L:PEDA:STARTALK Call for Proposals. Arabic-L listserv (ARABIC-L@LISTSERV.BYU.EDU, 12 Sep 2014).
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