+700 Wisconsin high school students, teachers participate in World Languages Day

On November 18, 2009 the Language Institute hosted over 700 Wisconsin high school students and teachers at the ninth World Languages Day held on the UW-Madison campus. 

The popular outreach program introduces Wisconsin students to languages and cultures around the globe through workshops, presentations and performances led by UW-Madison faculty, staff and students. 

Workshops at World Languages Day span the globe and this year's event included:

• "Icons and Idols: A Journey into Argentine Popular Culture"
  
• "Write Your Name and Say Hello in Russian!"
  
• "Journey to the West, and through Chinese Characters"
• "Bollywood and Beyond: Hindi Songs in North India"
  

World Languages Day continues to be a popular field trip opportunity for high schools, attracting new schools each year.  This year, eights schools of 27 attended for the first time. 

Through World Languages Day, high school students discover and take home new interests that they might pursue in their future studies. 

One teacher said of the experience, "World Languages Day gave my students a taste of a college campus and opened their eyes to what was available for them to learn."

World Languages Day was made possible by the generous support of the College of Letters & Science Anonymous Fund; African Studies Program; Center for East Asian Studies; Center for European Studies; Center for Russia, East Europe and Central Asia; Center for South Asia; Global Studies and Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies. 

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Arabic and Persian Immersion Program moves to Madison, celebrates successful year

The UW-Madison Arabic and Persian Immersion Program recently completed its 6th summer of top-flight language education.

The 2009 program was held for the first time on the UW-Madison campus with 18 students enrolled in Arabic classes and 15 students enrolled in Persian classes. The move to the Madison campus was considered a resounding success for students and staff alike.

Madison gives students the opportunity to interact with numerous native speakers, enjoy field trips and excursions, and partake of the many middle-eastern restaurants in the area.  Student feedback clearly deemed both the program and the move to Madison a rousing success.

The APIP Executive Committee is now preparing for APIP 2010, June 12-August 7, 2010 at UW-Madison. APIP again promises to offer unlimited challenges to students willing to spend eight weeks learning Arabic or Persian in a most unique manner.

Please visit APIP for more details or contact the program coordinator directly via email at apip@global.wisc.edu

Category: Humanities & the Arts
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First Lady Doyle talks to a packed house about language learning, Peace Corps

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Center for Humanities receives $10K grant from WI Humanities Council

The Center for the Humanities will receive a $10,000 Major Grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council to fund their high school outreach program Great World Texts in Wisconsin.

The upcoming 5th year will bring Nigerian author Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" into high school classrooms throughout the state.

The year-long effort of Great World Texts connects University of Wisconsin scholars with high school teachers and their students in an in-depth exploration of great works of literature.

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African Studies Director to lead 30 day trip to Rwanda

Sharon Hutchinson, African Studies Director, will lead 15 high school social studies teachers and curriculum planners from across the United States to Rwanda for 30 days of curriculum development work. This endeavor is made possible by a Fulbright-Hays Groups Projects Abroad Award, a grant of the U.S. Department of Education.

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African Studies unveils "Africa Forward"

The African Studies Program unveiled “Africa Forward” a new series developed by Catherine Reiland, the new Assistant Director, which links current UW-Madison students with professionals in all fields whose careers have been inspired and enriched by their study of Africa. [Read More]

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