STARTALK 2021
STARTALK 2019
STARTALK 2018
STARTALK 2017
Check out our STARTALK videos from the last few years. These videos highlight what students do in our STARTALK Summer Programs in both Chinese and Russian.
Introduction to STARTALK
STARTALK is a component programs of the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) announced by President Bush in January of 2006. The initiative seeks to expand and improve the teaching and learning of strategically important world languages that are not now widely taught in the United States.
Four government agencies were involved in this initiative: Department of State, Education, Defense and the National Security Agency (NSA). STARTALK is the program funded by NSA and involves summer programs focused on teaching critical needs languages and training teachers of those languages. National STARTALK programs are now offered in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Russian, and Urdu.
Glastonbury Public Schools are proud to once again offer STARTALK Summer Programs in 2023! This year's STARTALK programs will now have a new format, due to a change in the federal grant program. The program will now have a pre-program in late spring, the summer camp experience in June/July, and a post-program that spans the 2023-2024 school year. We are excited about the new format of our programs, and can't wait to welcome students!
STARTALK Goals
Increase the number of students learning Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu.
Provide professional development opportunities to teachers of Arabic and Chinese.
Fund Arabic and Chinese summer language study for over 1,100 high school students.
Fund professional development opportunities for over 600 teachers of Arabic and Chinese.
Award an average of $100,000 to over 150 programs in over 40 states and DC.
For more information on the STARTALK programs offered throughout the country visit: