Attend a Free 2024 Summer Camp to Learn Arabic or Russian
Apply for the STARTALK Arabic and Russian Summer 2024 Enrichment Camps
PWCS STARTALK Launching Thriving Futures through Arabic or Russian is a free 2024 summer enrichment camp program to explore either of these two critical need languages, which are in high demand in the workforce in our region of Northern Virginia.
When are the camps?
July 8-26, 2024
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where are the camps?
The STARTALK summer camps will be at Osbourn Park High School (8909 Euclid Ave. Manassas, VA 20111).
How much does the camp cost?
The program is free. There is no cost for students!
Who can apply to join the camps?
PWCS students currently in grades 6-11 who are interested in learning Arabic or Russian through a novice experience. Students will not earn school credit for participating in the camp.
When can I apply?
Applications will be accepted from March 15 - April 15, 2024.
How do I apply for the camps?
Students must complete the interest form to attend the camps.
There are 40 seats for each language. Students who complete the application are automatically entered into a randomized selection for a chance to attend the program. If selected, the student and the family will receive an email with more information about the camps and a link to the official registration form to enroll in the program.
Who can I contact for more information?
Contact Viviana Quiceno, administrative coordinator for world languages and director of the STARTALK Arabic or Russian summer camps, at [email protected] or 703-791-7426.
What will students learn?
Students will learn basic communicative skills used in everyday, real-life situations, enjoy a wide variety of cultural experiences, and make connections to interdisciplinary projects that tap into students’ interests and career pathways.
Students will explore themes like personal and school connections, community connections, interdisciplinary connections, and career connections through:
- Engaging pre-camp activities
- A three-week, in-person summer camp
- Post-camp activities
Classes will use Arabic and Russian vocabulary, language phrases, and cross-cultural products, practices, and perspectives to engage students in interdisciplinary projects, field trips, and activities. Examples include virtual tours of places where the languages are spoken, and cultural exposure and exploration through art, food, music, and other entertainment.
While focusing on the two languages and cultures of the Arabic and Russian-speaking worlds, the goal is to emphasize the value of being multilingual – which opens new gateways for future endeavors.
What should I know about the STARTALK summer camp program?
The PWCS World Language program values the study of all languages and appreciates the multilingualism of our students and families as an asset to our school community. Equity and inclusivity are the first two values in the PWCS Strategic Plan, as we celebrate our diversity as a strength and welcome all students.
The PWCS World Languages Program applied for the STARTALK Grant to offer the Arabic and Russian Summer camps for the 2022-23 school year. STARTALK grants provide funds to educational institutions in order to support the enhanced learning of what are called critical need languages. Among those identified are Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian, and Urdu. The grant was awarded and successfully implemented, with almost 90 middle and high school students enjoying the experience. PWCS successfully applied for and received a new grant from STARTALK for the 2023-24 school year. Fifty additional students will receive an invitation to join the program in spring 2024. We are excited and grateful to offer this opportunity to 140 PWCS students!
What is STARTALK? What is its mission?
STARTALK is a federal grant program funded by the National Security Agency and administered by the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland. STARTALK grants fund summer world language learning programs and professional development for World Language teachers. STARTALK grants support programs for students and teachers of critical need languages.
STARTALK grants support integration and implementation of the nation's best and most current World Language best practices as embraced by the PWCS world language program K-12. STARTALK grants also support our philosophy of inclusion of all students learning additional languages at any age.
Communication is at the heart of learning any language; it is the power standard of all curriculum standards with intercultural concepts such as body language, register, products, practices, and perspectives embedded within all oral and written expression.
The STARTALK grant allows up to 140 students to learn Arabic or Russian through the themes of Personal and School Connections, Community Connections, Interdisciplinary Connections, and Career Connections. Through highly engaging pre-camp, summer camp, and post-camp activities, students will acquire basic Arabic and Russian skills used in everyday, real-life situations while also showing students how connections to interdisciplinary projects such as those created within the arts, CTE/culinary arts, and STEM tap into all students' interests and career pathways that open new gateways for their future endeavors.
Want to offer some ideas or assistance?
Any citizens of PWCS community or middle and high school teachers of any content area with Arabic or Russian skills and interests, are welcome to contact Viviana Quiceno, administrative coordinators for world languages and director of the STARTALK Arabic or Russian Summer Camps at [email protected] or call her at 703-791-7426.