CLS Spark for Chinese is hosted by Dalian University of Technology in Dalian, China and offers an interactive, beginning-level learning experience in a virtual environment.

Over the course of 8 weeks, students develop their Chinese language skills across all four modalities (listening, speaking, reading, writing). The virtual institute includes ten hours per week of intensive live group instruction per week, including the formal academic program, cultural activities, and individual consultations with language instructors at the host institute.

As part of the program, students participate in cultural activities to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and history and to engage with experts and demonstrators from the host community. After week four of the program, students begin to meet weekly with their peer language partners. The thirty-minute language partner sessions allow students to practice their growing Chinese skills and engage in cultural exchange and person-to-person diplomacy.

Over the course of just eight weeks, students can expect to cover the equivalent of one year of Chinese language instruction at the university level and are eligible for academic credit.

CLS Spark alumni will receive automatic consideration as a semifinalist if they meet eligibility requirements and apply to study the same language in the following summer’s overseas CLS program.