Joining The Language Flagship
The Language Flagship leads the nation in designing, supporting and implementing a new paradigm for advanced language education. Flagship students join an existing community of passionate students, not only on campus but across the country. The Flagship program is structured for students of all backgrounds, from no experience in the target language to heritage speakers and former immersion students. Students of all majors and degree programs can join, including ROTC students. Chinese Flagship students pursue professional proficiency in Chinese alongside a wide range of majors, from STEM to business, political science and more.
Chinese Language Flagship at ASU
Undergraduate students enrolled in degree programs at ASU who are committed to achieving professional level Chinese language proficiency are strongly encouraged to apply. Our program combines accelerated coursework with regular assessments to meet measurable goals each year. Students benefit from language and content coursework, individualized tutoring, assessment and one-on-one advising, all designed to support language development while they complete their major requirements. Dedicated on-campus Flagship spaces and activities foster a tight-knit community and cohesive student cohorts that make Chinese study engaging and rewarding.
ASU Chinese Flagship Program is fully committed to providing ROTC students from all branches with the Flagship opportunity to attain professional level proficiency in Chinese. ROTC students in the program are highly motivated and view Chinese as a defining component of their future career paths. The program works closely with ROTC Commanders to help students balance their ROTC and Chinese Flagship commitments, ensuring student success in both areas.
Proficiency Goals
Students will aim to reach a professional level of proficiency or Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 3. Students who reach an ILR3 will be able to successfully live and work in the target language, opening a world of opportunities.
What does ILR level 3 mean?
Students at an ILR level 3 can participate effectively in spontaneous discussions and debates on issues and ideas ranging from general interests to areas of specialized expertise. Students can articulate supporting arguments and develop hypotheses. Students can give presentations to a wide range of audiences in topics ranging from general to specific.
Capstone-year Program
The comprehensive and immersive Capstone program is designed to empower students to reach professional level of proficiency. Students spend their final academic year in Taipei, completing intensive language coursework designed to advance their language ability from advanced to professional level. Students enroll directly in coursework related to their major at the host university and undertake professional internship experiences that complement their future professional field. Throughout the Capstone-year, students also build interpersonal and intercultural skills and confidence to succeed in future careers.
The Chinese Flagship Program fundamentally changed the way I approach Mandarin, pushing me far beyond textbook Mandarin and helped me develop the confidence to thrive in real Chinese-speaking environments. From a professional perspective, the Chinese Flagship Program has helped me stand out in my resume. While fluency in Mandarin is a strength alone, being able to work with diverse teams domestically and internationally through the Flagship internships has turned me into a more competitive asset within any setting. Through the resources provided by the Capstone program, I was also able to explore a completely different part of the world and make friends from different walks of life. From climbing the tallest mountain in Taiwan to backpacking across the island, I've been able to create precious memories that have made an impact on me as a person.
Francisco Enriquez-Calcano
Biological Sciences & Chinese Major, Capstone 2024–25
The Chinese Flagship Program has been a great help to my academic journey, not just as a supplemental tool to my Chinese classes, but also as a pathway to opportunities I would have never had otherwise. One such experience is getting to study abroad in Taiwan through the Chinese Flagship program. Overseas, I was able to immerse myself in Taiwanese culture and language and truly understand the importance of linguistic and cultural competency when it comes to forming new relationships. The daily interactions using Chinese inside and outside the classroom grew my skills more rapidly than I could have ever imagined. Chinese Flagship has given me the practice, knowledge, and professional skills to confidently use my Chinese skills and overcome whatever challenges may come my way.
Claire Zangerle
East Asian Studies Major, Capstone 2026–27
Students interested in applying are encouraged to speak with the Chinese Flagship Coordinator to learn more about the program.