In June, participants in the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program headed to China to spend the summer learning about Chinese culture and practicing their language skills. Before traveling to their host university in Xi’an, the students visited Beijing where they participated in interactive lessons from TCLP alumni teachers, Yin Qian (2015) and Sun Ling (2012) over the course of two days. Yin Qian and Sun Ling incorporated Chinese culture into their languages lessons, teaching students about traditional food and the 12 zodiac animals.
The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program was launched in 2006 to promote critical language learning among American youth. The U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with American Councils for International Education, awards and administers merit-based scholarships to high school students for participation in summer and academic year immersion programs. The Chinese summer program aims to enhance students’ ability to communicate with confidence in Mandarin.