The Program
About the STARTALK Russian Language & Culture Immersion Program
California State University, Northridge is offering an exceptional opportunity to college students to develop foreign language skills in Russian. This language program is unique because it offers a STARTALK curriculum that promotes and strengthens participating students’ knowledge base and understanding of the Russian language and culture and connects the language development of each student with the content in his or her academic discipline via authentic material and interpersonal communication in the target language. The program strengthens students’ speaking ability, advances their reading and writing skills, monitors their learning progress, and integrates the Russian language with their knowledge of current affairs. The Russian Language & Culture Immersion Program is designed to meet the needs of motivated, career-minded students who want to expand their international professional options in an increasingly global workplace and prepares students for potential job opportunities that make use of their Russian language skills. The program also works with the California State University, Northridge career center, which sends out a representative who provides information to students about how to highlight Russian language skills on a resume or CV, the most effective way to relate Russian proficiency to jobs and careers, and the resources available in the career center. Students who take advantage of this program will gain cross-cultural experience that will give them a competitive edge in today’s growing international business community.
The Russian Language & Culture Immersion Program faculty consists of enthusiastic native speakers with strong pedagogical skills and experience in immersion program work. Students can expect a serious academic atmosphere that will enhance their skills in speaking, reading, listening, and writing. The program also offers a variety of extracurricular activities that promote cultural awareness as well as language learning opportunities, including Russian guest speakers and cultural events.
Due to the program’s ongoing success, it has been expanded to include college students from around the country. The Russian Language & Culture Immersion Program is accepting applications from students at all levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced Russian).
The National Security Agency and National Foreign Language Center have once again provided a grant to the Startalk Russian Language and Culture Immersion Program at CSUN for 2021. Those who are accepted to the 2021immersion program are eligible for scholarships that will fully cover instruction, online learning materials, and all extracurricular activities.
The program is a 4-week immersion online program at CSUN during the 2021 summer session, which will begin on
June 2, 2021 and end on June 30, 2021. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2021.
This unique program is rigorous and requires a high level of commitment on each student’s part. However, the benefits are inestimable.