WORLD LANGUAGE DAYUniversity of Mary Washington

MOTIVATION AND HISTORY

• to strengthen the connections with and reach out to high school students and their FL teachers

• to demonstrate how the University of Mary Washington as an institution that thinks globally

• to make world languages visible to the community

• to advocate world language learning in general

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• First WLD -> 2008 with 55 participants

• 2013 = 140 participants

• 2011 = combination with VOGS convention -> 210 participants

ACTIVITIESCompetitions:

• spelling bees

• poetry recitations

• extemporaneous speech

• poster exhibition

• video/skit screening

New language workshops

• Arabic

• Basque

• Chinese

• Korean

• Polish …

Workshops on studying abroad, Peace Corps, Fulbright

Hands-on workshops:

• Schultüten,

• Paper flowers in national flowers

• Paper fashion

• Friendship bracelets

8:30 am – 9:00 am –

Anderson Center

Students will arrive with their teachers on the UMW campus and

proceed to Anderson Center where they will receive orientation

packages and lunch bags. Early arrivals can take advantage of our

continental breakfast buffet.

9:00 am – 9:15 am Dodd

Auditorium

Greetings from the department. A spokesperson from the

department will describe the day’s events.

9:30 am – 10:30 pm Combs Hall

Competitions (Spelling Bee, Extemporaneous Speech, Poetry,

Posters, Video/Skits) When not competing, students may see the

poster exhibition or the video screenings. In addition, they may visit

information tables.

10:30am-12:30pm –

Combs Hall

Workshops! Learn new languages, listen to fascinating accounts

from people who lived abroad, learn a craft.

12:30-1:30 p.m –Anderson

Center

Closing Ceremony After some presentations by UMW students,

certificates will be given to all participating schools and awards will

be presented to the winners of the day’s competitions.

ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION

COMPETITIONS

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPSGerman Schultüten basteln

CLOSING CEREMONYCultural Presentations, Awards

WINNING SCHOOLS 2015

• French and German: Hampton HS

• Spanish: Stafford HS

• Individual certificates and prizes in all competitions

POTENTIAL FOR STATE-WIDE COMPETITIONS

• Regional World Language Days in March of each year

• A central State World Language Day in Richmond in April / May with competitions between regional winners

• Potential widening of scope to include proficiency-based competition rules

Other examples / models:

• University of Northern Colorado (since 45 years!)

• Michigan State University

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Missouri State University

COST AND LOGISTICS

• Food: $15-18 / participant

• Prizes – mostly donated by cultural institutions, local vendors,

• some targeted buys: $300

• UMW’s 2015 WLD was about $3000 (for 200 participants)

• All participants pay $9 early-bird fee, then $12

• Registrtation through Google Documents