Consortium of Illinois Language Schools in corporation with Midwest Chinese Language Schools is one of the participating institutes to offer less commonly taught languages to Grade 4 - Grade 12 students since summer of 2009. Consortium of Illinois Language Schools is now funded by federal government managed by National Foreign Language Center of University of Maryland. In 2010, 25 Chinese teachers have attended the rigorous training program taught by renowned expert instructors and practitioners with theoretical knowledge and extensive practical classroom experiences. Teacher trainees also had the opportunities to practice in real classrooms at various school districts with thematic based and student centered methodologies. It is also supported with culture activities to enrich the learning experiences for 300 students so far.

Consortium of Illinois language Schools also trained 10 Hindi teachers in a teacher program during the summer of 2010, and is planning to offer Hindi student program in three Illinois school districts in 2011, modeling after the Chinese programs already have been executed in two consecutive summers. This may mark the first of the kind program to provide the opportunities for school students who otherwise do not have the chance to experience.

The missions of Consortium of Illinois Language Schools:

1. Providing standard based teaching Pedagogy to heritage school teachers and person who have the potential to pursue regular certification process
2. Encouraging heritage school teachers to get teaching certifications to fill the gap of lacking qualified foreign language teachers in local school districts
3. Bridging heritage schools with local school districts
4. Providing continuous learning opportunities to school students in the school district has not yet had the language programs

Consortium of Illinois Language Schools, a registered not-for-profit organization, will continue to be a partner in Startalk Program to provide service to the communities.

Eligibility: IPSD-204 and District 203