Western welcomes Chinese youth to campus for summer camp

Western Washington University will be expanding its international youth programs to include Chinese youth this summer.

Through a partnership with Shaanxi Foreign Language Academy, 21 Chinese middle school students will stay on campus to practice their English speaking skills and explore Washington’s culture. The students will be at Western from July 26 through Aug. 3.

Western’s Youth Programs, International Exchange Programs, TESOL certified teachers, local students and Shaanxi Foreign Language Academy will collaborate together during the program.

“It’s a nice collaboration of our staff, IEP and students training to teach English,” said Debbie Gibbons manager of Youth Programs at WWU.

Students will spend their mornings in hands-on classroom learning to promote their English speaking skills, while afternoons will be spent exploring the area. Locations visited will include Bellis Fair Mall, Bellingham High School, Boeing Future of Flight and the Space Needle.

During evenings, the students will participate in conversation practice with local middle school students.

“This is a first time program we hope to continue,” Gibbons said.

Western hopes to include two Japanese groups of students and a Korean group next summer, Gibbons said.