Transcending the Language Classroom:
Planning a Comprehensive STARTALK Program
Gaby Semaan
Dany Doueiri
Univ. of Toledo, OH
Cal. State Univ., San Bernardino
[email protected]
[email protected]
Fall 2016
Session Outcomes:

I can identify 3 objective measurements of a successful language program

I can explain the founding principle of working toward sustainability

I can plan 3 amazing activities to engage my students & participants

I can give 3 examples of how to leverage internal and external resources

I can list 3 challenges that growing programs inevitably face

I can define 3 ways to reduce cost to stretch my budget

I can conceptualize ideas to maximize my program’s impact
I Can
identify 3 objective measurements of a
successful language program
2001


Program Growth
1st year sequence
6 Sections
2016

1st/2nd/3rd/4th year sequence

75 sections

1 PT instructor

3 Fulltime + 8 PT Instructors

No summer session

Domestic & Study Abroad

120 students

1,100 students

$0 grants

$7 million

3 classes on catalog

55 classes on catalog

No Program

Minor, Certificate, Major

Start-up

Largest in CA
I Can
explain the founding principle of
working toward a sustainable and
comprehensible program
“Every profession bears the responsibility to understand
the circumstances that enable its existence.”Robert Gutman
1-Passionate and Selfless Director/s, Staff & Instructors
2-Supportive Administrators
3-Explore all Opportunities
I Can
plan 3 amazing activities to engage my
students & participants
Welcome to the gratifying world of
Summer Language Programs
2007: One class, 19 students
2nd
year (1 section)
2008: Four classes, 58 students
1st
year, 1st year (2nd semester), 2nd year
+ 3rd year in Jordan
2009: Six classes, 82 students
1st
year (2 sessions), 1st year (second semester), 2nd year, 3rd year,
+ 5 levels in Jordan
2010: 7 classes, 86 students
1st
year (2 sections), 1st year (2nd semester), 2nd year, 3rd year
+ multiple levels in Jordan
2011: 73 Arabic students (140 applications),
20 students in Persian pilot
2012: 56 Arabic students (250 applications),
25 in Jordan, 13 Persian students, 7 Chinese
students
2016: 82 students 4 levels – 5 sections
+ 15 in Jordan
I Can
give 3 examples of how to leverage internal
and external resources
Campus-based collaborations

Career Center

Financial Aid Office

Admissions & Recruiting

Records Office

Outdoor Life

Children’s Center

Housing

Food Services

Center for Middle East Studies

Cyber Security
Community Resources

Vendors for services

Local Vendors: Catering

Community visits

Local experts
1-film
2-food
3-music
4-embroidery
5-henna
6-businesses
Nurture Goodwill on & Off Campus

President / Principal / Superintendent

Provost / Deans / Other Administrators

Connections to other high schools, universities & colleges

Connections to local industry, local military bases, local community institutions
(including religious organizations)
Make your institution shine!
I Can
list 3 challenges that growing programs
inevitably face
Growth Challenges: Personnel

Finding trained instructors and tutors/TAs

Summer versus academic year instructors

Administrative/Clerical staff

Gophers
Growth Challenges: Students

Recruitment

Orientation / Regulations

Placement

Age, special circumstances

Parents

Advising

Individual needs
I Can
define 3 ways to reduce cost to stretch my
budget
Your Turn!
Reducing Cost – Stretch Your Funds

Leverage Community Resources

Collaboration with other projects and groups
Reach out to alumni, family, friends
 Get the best negotiator in town
 Let stakeholders take ownership of your program & make it
theirs
 … and don’t forget the plaques!

I Can
conceptualize ideas to maximize my
program’s impact
Maximizing Program Impact

Media (Radio, NPR-member station,
Aljazeera, LA Times)

Give students something to take home

First B.A. degree for high school student in
the nation

Model, Pilot, Market, & Reach Out
Payoff!