Dr. Marcel P. Rotter | University of Mary Washington

WORLD LANGUAGE DAYS

1. What is World Language Day? (45’)• Who?• What?• How?

2. How organize your own World Language Day (60’)• Create the framework in your region, collaborate with colleagues

3. Present your work4. The Vision: a state-wide network of regional World

Language Days with a culminating state competition in Richmond (15’)

WORKSHOP OUTLINE

Its aims are:• to strengthen the connections with and reach out to high

school students and their FL teachers• to demonstrate how UMW as an institution thinks globally• to make world languages visible to the community• to advocate world language learning in general

WHAT IS WORLD LANGUAGE DAY?

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.

THE DAY’S EVENTS

ARRIVAL OF THE TEAMS

Workshops• Other languages (Arabic,

Italian, Chinese, Korean)• Study abroad experiences• Crafts (Schultüten,

friendship bracelets, …)

Competitions• Spelling Bees• Extemporaneous speech• Poetry Recitations• Music Videos• Posterstwo levels of competition: intermediate and advanced

WORLD LANGUAGE DAY

Prizes• Give-aways from

Embassies and cultural centers (Goethe Institut, Alliance Francaise, Instituto Cervantes)

• Certificates (best in each category/level, best overall school)

Food• Breakfast (donated)• Lunch (before awards

ceremony) - charged

Exhibitors• Help defray cost• Sometimes donate prizes

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Personnel• Language instructors and

native speakers from community for Spelling Bees and Extemporaneous Speech

• Advanced students for Poetry, Posters, DVDs

• Lower-level students as ushers, tour guides, “accountants”

• Anyone qualified - workshops

Website• Use Google website or

Wikispaces as website (if possible – institutional website to avoid blockers in schools)

• Use Google forms for signup

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

LET’S DIVE IN:

COMPETITIONS

• Capoeira

WORKSHOPS / CULTURAL PROGRAM• International Fashion Show

WORKSHOPS / CULTURAL PROGRAM

CLOSING CEREMONY – CERTIFICATES / PRIZES

August / September October November December January February March Day of WLD

• Build Committee,

• Set date for WLD

• Create Web page

• Secure room and funding

• Create/ update rules

• Contact schools, teachers, presenters

• Invite dignitaries

• Contact embassies& cultural centers for prizes

• Send out reminder emails to schools

• Request facility services

• Contact caterer

• Set menu with catering

• Monitor website

• Receive, deposit (nag for) checks

• Assign Rooms

• Assign workshops

• Print room signs and certificates

• Train volunteers

• Confirm workshop leaders

• Arrive early

• Hang room signs

• Place rules in rooms

• Assign “accounting Office”

• SHOWTIME

TIMELINE FOR PLANNING

• Find a partner from the same general geographic area

• Work on the worksheets• Present your preliminary

plan

HOW CAN YOU ORGANIZE A WLD?

• A culminating state competition in Richmond in April

• Best students compete against each other

• Winner will be recognized in the press

• Sponsors could award prizes

• A state-wide network of regional World Language Days

• Students compete in respective languages and levels, regional winners are sent to Richmond for the finals

THE VISION: