Session Descriptions
The following sessions were offered at World Languages Day 2009. Please come back in Spring 2010 to see the line-up for next year!
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| Sessions offered from 10:30 am to 11:20 am | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Michigan facts and fun - in English and Ojibwe! Find out what Tecumseh's name really means. Count the number of native nations here in our state. Learn the words for wolverine, bear, wolf and more. Minwendaagozodaa! (Let's Have Some Fun) speaking a language that is both ancient and modern, the original language of the Great Lakes - Ojibwe. | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Israeli folk dancing: Rikudey Am Israeli folk dancing has its roots in Biblical times. Most of today's folk dances are set to popular Israeli music. In recent years Greek, French, Turkish, Latin, and American popular music have influenced modern Israeli dance. Experience Israeli culture, dance with us and enjoy the music! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am A taste of Korean language and culture Do you think the Korean language is too "foreign" to learn? Do you think Korea is too far away, located almost halfway around the world? You will be pleasantly surprised once you taste the Korean language and culture in this session. Korean is a phonetic language like English, so it is easy to learn. In fact, you can read Korean in one or two weeks. Furthermore, Korea is not far from you. It is in your pockets, homes, garages, computers and everywhere, just in different shapes and forms. Come to this session to find out more! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Viel Spass! Have fun while improving your German Would you like to improve your German grammar skills? Do you like to have fun? If you answered both of these questions with yes, join us for this interactive German session. We will play various paper and paper and technology based games to practice and deepen your German language skills and your cultural knowledge. Be prepared to have fun! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Try Thai! Come to this session and learn more about the Thai language, which is spoken by over 60 million people. You will learn how to write your name in Thai, count, and even sing a Thai song! Please join us and find out how beautiful (and challenging!) the Thai language is. | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Considering MSU? How to apply to MSU and finance your college education Hear from representatives from both Admissions and Financial Aid! MSU has been educating students for over 150 years. How does our current undergraduate admissions process work? If you were to choose a major in linguistics or a language, would that affect your review process? What are some general college planning tips for current high school students? These and other questions will be answered during this session. Financing your education through a combination of grants, scholarships, work and loans means that every student who desires an education can make that desire a reality. You will also learn how you may use this aid for study abroad. | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am A tour of Ukraine in 50 minutes! Do you know anything about Ukraine? Would you like to learn more about it? How about learning some of the Ukrainian language? You will also get to listen to Ukrainian music, take home some recipes (borshch, vareniki, golubtsi), learn about famous people (Sheva, Klichko), and more! And there will be Ukrainian candy! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am The role of Language Analysts in the FBI today Language Analysts today support the FBI mission by providing translation support to FBI investigations. They interact with Special Agents to provide language support using many tools and resources. They also have to be aware of different guidelines established by the Department of Justice. The role of Language Analysts has evolved to require knowledge of history, religion, geography and culture in addition to language proficiency. Job duties include travel in the US and overseas to support the mission. There has been significant growth in the the FBI Language program in recent years - come to this session to learn how the FBI could be a part of your future! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Russia and Russian today Speak Russian in 50 minutes! An introduction to basic spoken Russian to help you negotiate the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg (or New York!), followed by an overview of where Russian is spoken today. Play the "Name that famous Russian" game. | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Language and culture in the Arab world The presentation is designed to give participants information and new perspectives about the Arab world, its culture, and its people. The presentation will first solicit what participants already know about the Arab world, how they see it and what they may have heard about it. Then the presenter will demonstrate many aspects of today's Arab world, showing photos and explaining many different aspects of life including activities in schools, universities, malls, sports facilities and streets. We will also talk about the role of culture in shaping the Arab world, history, literature, poetry and music. | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Cross-cultural understanding and the high school student exchange experience Cross-cultural understanding is enhanced by any experience that allows a student to live in another culture and see that culture through the eyes and hearts of the people who live there. As a former high school exchange student to Germany (and host mom to many exchange students from around the world), the speaker will discuss how YOU can be part of student exchange (outbound or inbound). The high school exchange experience allows the student to TRULY become part of a family and community in ways not available to college students and at a much more reasonable price. Learn how to set yourself apart before you enter college! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Rich Internet Applications: Work the Web Language learning should be an active process, and technology should be a facilitate active learning. Come to this session to learn about FREE tools for integrating rich media and interactivity into your language class. Create web-based materials that develop your students' speaking and listening skills. No programming is needed: if you can type, point and click, you can create web pages that put your students to work. | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Ebonics and hip hop ain't just slang! "Chopped and screwed! Bling, bling! Throw yo hands in the air! You can have whateva you like!" Sound familiar? Well, they should...they are some of the latest lyrics on the hip hop scene! In this session, we will explore the linguistic features of hip hop and Ebonics, and you will discover that they are not just "bad" English or slang. With inspiration from various songs and lyrics, we will then write/rap our own hip hop songs. | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Teen-created Esperanto: An easy, fun language for the Global Village Our teen presenter, whose first language is Esperanto, will tell about games to play in the language, words to use with your friends at school, how to learn it and use it to meet youth all over the world. 120-year old Esperanto is the world's easiest language to learn, can be used in over 100 countries. It was said that Esperanto was a language waiting for computers to be invented. It has its own culture. Ne krokodilu! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Salsa 101 Come join the Zeebah Tribal Dancers as we explore the earthy beats of Latin Salsa! We will be teaching a short routine and working with partners to create a true Salsa vibe. Be prepared to spin and turn to the cool Latin beats of Salsa, and possibly Meringue, Bachata, and Raegaton (if time allows!). We look forward to seeing you all again! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Chinese Zodiac and symbols This presentation will give participants a taste of Chinese language and culture. The most popular Chinese symbols will be discussed and the folk tale behind the Chinese Zodiac will be introduced. Participants will learn how to say the twelve-year cycle in Chinese and how to divine their futures from the zodiac. Come to the session and take part in the fun! | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am Globalization and your student's future This presentation will seek to uncover the many meanings of globalization, and provide a way to make sense of what is and is not changing in the world today. We will also examine ways to participate in the globalized world, and see how the acquisition of foreign language ability can help in that regard. | ||||||
| 10:30 am - 11:20 am globalEDGE: Your source for global business knowledge This session will introduce parents, students, and teachers to globalEDGE, the premier internet resource for international business information, research, and culture. In this presentation, participants will learn to navigate the wealth of information provided on globalEDGE, and gain insight into the multidisciplinary applications of our resources. Whether you want to learn a foreign language, are curious about international culture and business, or simply looking for a fun educational game, globalEDGE is the gateway to understanding and learning about our globalized world! | ||||||
| Sessions offered from 11:30 am to 12:20 pm | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Bongoflava: Hip hop music of Swahili-speaking East Africa! 'Bongoflava' describes the hip hop vibes that are currently pulsing through the East African countries of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, where Swahili is spoken. This music puts Swahili in interaction with English in an art form that shares similarities with American hip hop. In this session we will explore music lyrics, and learn some useful conversational phrases in Swahili! We will also watch music videos and discuss similarities in the portrayal of East African popular music artists and comparable artists here in the U.S. At the end of the session, participants will each receive a compilation of Swahili hip hop music to take home! | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Israeli folk dancing: Rikudey Am Israeli folk dancing has its roots in Biblical times. Most of today's folk dances are set to popular Israeli music. In recent years Greek, French, Turkish, Latin, and American popular music have influenced modern Israeli dance. Experience Israeli culture, dance with us and enjoy the music! | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Recent French films and French slang In this presentation, participants will watch several video clips of recent French films such as Diner de Cons and Les Visiteurs. Based on these clips, students will learn a variety of everyday French expressions. Foreign languages can not be learned from a textbook alone - French slang represents an important aspect of the language and culture, so come and learn some of the latest phrases. Your French teacher will be amazed! | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Learn to juggle in Chinese with the diabolo You've seen it in stage shows like the Cirque du Soleil. It was introduced to the west 800 years ago. Chinese children have been playing it for thousands of years. Come see the Chinese Diabolo in action, and try it for yourself. Learn the basics of the traditional Chinese toy in this hands-on session led by the Lansing Chinese School Diabolo Team. | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Top ten reasons to learn a foreign language (through the family living experience) There are more reasons to learn a foreign language than meet the eye. This presentation covers multiple reasons, but also effective ways to learn languages through the family living experience of becoming or hosting an exchange student. The speaker's personal background in learning languages on the ground rather than in the classroom will offer students an alternative way to exponentially expand their language learning. Scholarship opportunities will be presented. Also, students will learn how their family can become a host family through Youth For Understanding, a non-profit which began building bridges to other cultures in 1951 in Ann Arbor and operates in over 60 countries today. | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Languages and globalization: The Chinese and American experiences How can we better understand people coming from different cultures and speaking different languages? This session uses traditional Chinese culture and its influence on the progress of U.S.-China relations as an example to illuminate the significance of language learning in today's increasingly globalized world. | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Michigan facts and fun - in English and Ojibwe! Find out what Tecumseh's name really means. Count the number of native nations here in our state. Learn the words for wolverine, bear, wolf and more. Minwendaagozodaa! (Let's Have Some Fun) speaking a language that is both ancient and modern, the original language of the Great Lakes - Ojibwe. | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm "German Idol": Popular music in Germany Have you ever listened to German rap, pop, hip hop, punk, or rock music? Come and listen to popular German music and find out about the different kinds of music Germans enjoy! In this session you will learn about Tokio Hotel, Juli, Clueso, Silbermond, Sido, and many more! Find out who Germans voted for on "German Idol" in 2008 and participate in interactive activities surrounding German music and music videos! You will get to know many different German bands and at the end you can compete with other students in a German pop music trivia contest! | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Of friendship and learning: A Vietnamese tradition This session begins with some historical and linguistic background about Vietnamese and its sound and tone systems. Participants will learn different greetings in Vietnamese. You will also be able to surprise your friends with everyday phrases in Vietnamese with the various intonations making a "how are you" sound like a cascade of musical notes. The presenter will then discuss some vital Vietnamese traditions such as learning, friendship, love, and respect of family, using folk tales as illustrations of how these traditions form a backdrop for everyday life in Vietnam. | ||||||
| 11:30 am - 12:20 pm Spanish in Latin America Did you know that palomitas and poporopo mean the same thing in Spanish? These two Spanish words both mean popcorn. Mexicans say palomitas but Guatemalans say poporopo. The word coche means car in Mexico but pig in Guatemala. Come and learn Spanish and its different forms in Latin America. From greetings to questions, you will experience the language and culture of Mexico and Guatemala in a fun way. | ||||||
| Sessions offered from 12:30 pm to 01:20 pm | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm What are y'all talkin' 'bout? -- The future of American English dialects There is a popular perception that dialects of American English are fading away. In a world of increasing globalization where a mainstream media broadcasts a "standard" language, many people believe that regional speech forms are a thing of the past. When we compare the past with the present, however, we find that the exact opposite is occurring; dialects of American English are becoming increasingly different from one another. This session will discuss ongoing language changes that are creating an increase in linguistic diversity in the United States. What do these changes mean for the future of American English? Come and learn about the future of dialects of American English. | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Walk like an Egyptian: Modern Middle Eastern dance Shake off the doldrums! The ancient wonders of belly dance are yours for the twist of the hip. Explore the oldest known forms of dance from the land of the pharaohs in this very active session. | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Understanding India through Hindi Though some may think of India as the land of snake charmers, mythologies, and mysticism, it is also increasingly becoming a land of opportunities. This is because it has been moving up steadily on the scale of development in terms of science and technology. Thus, it is changing life style patterns and setting up newer goals for Indian society in particular, and in general, is offering multiple research interests for global society. This session examines the role of languages, particularly Hindi, in the dynamic growth of societies in India and abroad. It also highlights why and how Hindi offers a wonderful glimpse into understanding one of the world's highly progressive cultures - full of plurality and diversity, surviving the test of time. | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Silence is golden: A crash course in American Sign Language American Sign Language is the third most widely used language in the United States. Predominantly used by Deaf people in America, it's also a great way to talk to your friends across a crowded room. Geared towards individuals that have never had any exposure to the language, we will be starting from scratch with the alphabet and some basic conversational phrases. By the end of the session, you will know just enough to introduce yourself, give some personal information, and then explain that you don't really know a whole lot of other sign language. | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Bongoflava: Hip hop music of Swahili-speaking East Africa! 'Bongoflava' describes the hip hop vibes that are currently pulsing through the East African countries of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, where Swahili is spoken. This music puts Swahili in interaction with English in an art form that shares similarities with American hip hop. In this session we will explore music lyrics, and learn some useful conversational phrases in Swahili! We will also watch music videos and discuss similarities in the portrayal of East African popular music artists and comparable artists here in the U.S. At the end of the session, participants will each receive a compilation of Swahili hip hop music to take home! | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Journey to the East: Discovering China through Shanghai World Expo 2010 You learned all about Beijing during the 2008 Olympics; now come join us on an exhilarating ride to Shanghai, host of World Expo 2010! Shanghai is the second biggest city in China with gleaming skyscrapers, futuristic model towns, theme cities and numerous other never-seen-before projects. All the innovation puts this Chinese city in the vanguard for style, ambition and experimentation. We will explore Shanghai as it gets ready to host the big event in 2010. Learn survival Chinese to impress your friends, and top it off by mentioning tidbits about local culture and Shanghai's long and illustrious history. The mascot of World Expo 2010, a little blue character named "Haibao" will see you this World Languages Day! | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Poetry Slam auf Deutsch! Attention lovers of poetry (and German)! This session will first explore the beautiful language of poets like Goethe, Heine and Moerike, as well as modern examples of German verse. Then it will be your turn to participate in the poetry slam by reading a favorite German poem - or perhaps even something you've written! You don't have to read something to enjoy the session, but if you would like to read, please bring your poem along. Poems should be in German and preferably less than 20 lines. The session will be IN GERMAN and is designed for 2nd- to 4th-year German students, though 1st-year students are also welcome. | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Bharatanatyam: Classical dance from India Bangla Nobel Laurete Rabindra Nath Tagore is famous for his writing about love. He wrote hundreds of Bangla (also known as Bengali) songs which are still very popular in the Indian territories where Bangla is spoken. His writing is famous for love: love for nature and love in any sense. There is a traditional culture and dance form that matches with those songs. Our performer learned this dance in a famous dance school in India and would like to share it with you. This session will be a spectacular demonstration of the twinning of song and dance. | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm The role of Language Analysts in the FBI today Language Analysts today support the FBI mission by providing translation support to FBI investigations. They interact with Special Agents to provide language support using many tools and resources. They also have to be aware of different guidelines established by the Department of Justice. The role of Language Analysts has evolved to require knowledge of history, religion, geography and culture in addition to language proficiency. Job duties include travel in the US and overseas to support the mission. There has been significant growth in the the FBI Language program in recent years - come to this session to learn how the FBI could be a part of your future! | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Out and about: A tour of MSU's campus Join us for a 50-minute tour of MSU's campus! See Spartans in their natural habitat, including the Red Cedar River, MSU's first-class main library, and various campus landmarks. Learn about MSU's more than 150 year history, and discover some reasons as to why over 45,000 students called MSU "home" this year! | ||||||
| 12:30 pm - 01:20 pm Dips and Salsa: Be the life of the fiesta while learning how to dance the salsa! This workshop will teach people with no previous experience the basics of several kinds of popular Latin dances such as Salsa, Merengue, and Cha Cha Cha. The instructor will demonstrate how dance fits in with having fun, dating and meeting people. | ||||||
| Sessions offered from 01:30 pm to 02:20 pm | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Out and about: A tour of MSU's campus Join us for a 50-minute tour of MSU's campus! See Spartans in their natural habitat, including the Red Cedar River, MSU's first-class main library, and various campus landmarks. Learn about MSU's more than 150 year history, and discover some reasons as to why over 45,000 students called MSU "home" this year! | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Walk like an Egyptian: Modern Middle Eastern dance Shake off the doldrums! The ancient wonders of belly dance are yours for the twist of the hip. Explore the oldest known forms of dance from the land of the pharaohs in this very active session. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Armavirumque Monstro: Life in the Imperial Roman Army Through a first-person narrative of their lives and experiences, Quintus Fabricius Varus(David Smith) and Gallic friends will take students, teachers, and parents on a journey back to ancient Roman times. He will present in both Latin and English. The training and daily life of both a Roman legionary and so-called "barbarian" Gallic warriors will be explored with some audience participation in marching drill and the use of reproduction equipment. No previous knowledge of history or Latin is required. Attendees will gain an appreciation and a basic understanding of a common soldier's view of life in the first century A.D. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Lord of the languages If you have seen the Lord of the Rings films, you have heard Hollywood actors speaking Elvish. But did you know that J.R.R. Tolkien created several linguistically coherent languages, based on his study of both ancient and living languages? Learn about the languages spoken by Tolkien's characters and how they reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of Middle-earth, and provide a lesson for our own earth. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Ku zo mu koyi Hausa! Explore one of Africa's most widely spoken languages Have you ever wondered how to greet your friends and introduce yourself in an African language? Come join us to learn some basic introductions and greetings in Hausa, the most largely spoken language in West, West-Central and parts of Central Africa. Hausa is spoken mainly in Northern and Central Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Ghana, but is also used as a trade language throughout West Africa. It is also spoken in Chad, Central African Republic and the Sudan. Come learn some Hausa! Come learn about Africa! | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Dips and Salsa: Be the life of the fiesta while learning how to dance the salsa! This workshop will teach people with no previous experience the basics of several kinds of popular Latin dances such as Salsa, Merengue, and Cha Cha Cha. The instructor will demonstrate how dance fits in with having fun, dating and meeting people. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm The power of yoga The practice of yoga began in India thousands of years ago. But how can yoga help you live a balanced life in the modern Western world? Find out about yoga philosophy (Astanga yoga), breath control (pranayama), meditation, chanting, and the ancient language of yoga -- Sanskrit. Learn more about yoga postures (asanas) and see a live demonstration of a flowing yoga sequence (vinyasa). Let's explore the power of yoga! | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Authentic movies from Latin America for teaching Spanish language and culture Did you know you can have fun watching movies from Latin America and learn Spanish Language and Hispanic American Culture at the same time? The films in this session are for children, teens, and young people. You can learn vocabulary, history, and culture while you enjoy a good movie. Come and learn how these movies can help you to improve your language skills. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm La Seine...principale avenue de Paris C'est sur les rives de ce fleuve que tout a commenc� � la pr�histoire. Les Gaulois s'y plaisaient, puis les Romains s'y sont install�s, et plus tard, les rois de France y ont b�ti leurs demeures. La Seine pourrait vous raconter beaucoup d'histoires... Vous allez embarquer au Pont Neuf et d�couvrir, au fil de l�eau, comment Paris est n�e et a grandi au cours des si�cles. La magie du virtuel vous permettra de faire plusieurs escales pour admirer de plus pr�s le coeur de la capitale et d�couvrir quelques-uns des temps forts de son Histoire� | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Yookoso! Welcome to Japan What do you think of when you think about Japan? Ninjas? Anime? Play Station? This session will give you an opportunity to learn about Japanese language and culture in a fun, interactive way. You will also learn how to write your name in Japanese and make origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Germany: 16 sensational states - 16 fun facts Did you know that Elvis Presley "lost his heart" in Germany? Or that the biggest German shopping mall is the size of 60 football fields? In this session, you will learn many interesting and fun facts about Germany and also enough survival German to keep you from getting lost in the land of sauerkraut and sausage. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Communicating across cultures Command of a language alone isn't enough to communicate successfully across cultural boundaries. Awareness of some basic cross-cultural communication concepts, which will be presented in this session, can facilitate friendly interaction between individuals of different backgrounds. Learning a language is more than just mastering grammar and vocabulary! | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Welcome to Kazakhstan: Culture, language, and dance! The Republic of Kazakhstan, the 9th biggest country in the world, has become an economic engine of Eurasia. While the history of the Kazakh State starts in the 15th century and includes such events as the Mongolian conquest and the Russian Empire, the Republic of Kazakhstan became officially independent just 17 years ago. Following Soviet rule, the country has shifted from a centralized to a market economy and from a totalitarian regime to democracy. It is a diverse country where more than 100 ethnicities live together. Kazakh is a state language, while Russian is an official one, used in everyday business and designated for interethnic communication. The Kazakh language has its roots in Persian, though while Kazakhstan was part of the USSR the alphabet was changed from Arabic to Cyrillic script. Come and learn more about culture, language, and modern life of Kazakhstan followed by a traditional dance performance. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Jamaican proverbs and folk songs Come and learn about Jamaican culture through its folk songs and proverbs. For much of the world the most popular Jamaican folk song is the Banana Boat Song (also known as Day-O) popularized by Harry Belafonte. However, in Jamaica the most popular folk song is Linstead Market. We will learn about the settings of these songs and the community they describe, as well as how parents use proverbs to teach their children about life. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Silence is golden: A crash course in American Sign Language American Sign Language is the third most widely used language in the United States. Predominantly used by Deaf people in America, it's also a great way to talk to your friends across a crowded room. Geared towards individuals that have never had any exposure to the language, we will be starting from scratch with the alphabet and some basic conversational phrases. By the end of the session, you will know just enough to introduce yourself, give some personal information, and then explain that you don't really know a whole lot of other sign language. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm Polish: Not just the language of Popes and Nobel Prize winners! Polish is now a language of over 50 million speakers living in Poland and dispersed all over the world - with 10 million Polish Americans in this country alone. Come to this session and learn more about contemporary Polish and the times when Polish was widely spoken between Berlin, Germany and Moscow, Russia, and in the vast parts of Central and Eastern Europe. | ||||||
| 01:30 pm - 02:20 pm A musical and cultural tour of Russia What do you know about Russian culture and music? Have you ever heard of Rakhmaninov, Stravinsky and Shostakovich? How does Russian rock, jazz and hip-hop sound? Russian music has a rich variety of genres and styles. Come to this session and you will learn more about Russian culture through its music, from the past through the present! | ||||||
| Sessions offered from 02:30 pm to 03:20 pm | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Let's learn Nihongo!! Japanese is one of the most popular languages offered at MSU. Learning a non-western language like Japanese can be challenging, but it is also a stimulating and eye-opening experience. Come to learn how to greet people and introduce yourself in Japanese! We will also play a fun game and learn a song in this language that is growing in popularity in Michigan schools. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Tamil: An ancient Indian language creating waves in Japan today! The Tamil language is as ancient as Latin and is one of the five classical languages of the world. It is the official language of Tamil Nadu, one of the southernmost states in India, and is spoken by 77 million people around the world. In this session, you will listen to Tamil songs that created waves in Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. You will also learn how Tamil expands "scientifically" without borrowing words from other languages, and see how a normal keyboard can be used to type all the 247 possible letters in the combinant Tamil alphabet. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Po Polsku! A fun intro to Polish language and culture Are you interested in learning a new and different European language? Join this interactive session for an exciting introduction into the beautiful Polish language. You will learn how to correctly pronounce names like Krzyzewski and Szczerbiak, and you'll leave class with the ability to speak some Polish after just 50 minutes! You can also see what Poland is all about: a vibrant country with picturesque landscapes, a long history, and a bright future! | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm The strange ways of the Germans Learn about the strange ways of the Germans through German sayings. The grass is greener in both America and Germany, but only Americans throw in the towel - Germans throw the shotgun in the corn field. And what in the world do Germans mean when they say: "Sport is murder" or "I am a dancer with skin and hair"? Come to this session and find out through playing games. Let's hope that "your bill gets even" and that "nothing goes in the pants." | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Latinoamérica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos! How can you tell the difference between a Puerto Rican and a Chilean? A Peruvian and a Mexican? Find out here! This session will highlight differences in food, music and dance, geography, and Spanish in several regions of Latin America. Students will meet people from these places, taste foods, practice changing their Spanish accents, learn how vocabulary varies across the Spanish-speaking world, and see some of the most interesting attractions that several countries have to offer. At the end of the session, students will be able to show what they've learned with a fun quiz. Prizes will be awarded to the best learners! | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Making the most out of online translators A common concern among language teachers is that they cannot prevent their students from using online translators. This workshop illustrates ideas for explaining the misuse of translators, with amusing results, as well as ways to effectively exploit translators as a useful self-help tool. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm You say toMAYto, I say toMAHto: Britain and British English It's well-known that speakers of British English don't pronounce their 'r's and have a funny way of saying words like 'tomato'. They also say 'pavement' for 'sidewalk' and put their babies in nappies, not diapers. How did all these differences come about? Why is it that many Americans think British English sounds 'better' than their own English, but British English speakers are often cast as villains in the movies? Along the way you'll get a crash course in English manners, so you will always know the proper way to hold a teacup at teatime.... | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Arabic as an economic and spiritual language An advocate for learning languages, Malcolm X once said "...I have already begun studying Arabic, which I think is going to be the most powerful spiritual language of the future." Arabic is a language rich in culture, spoken by over 200 million and sacred to over 1.5 billion Muslims all over the world. By trying Arabic in this session you will gain insight into the culture, heritage and religion of the Arab world. This language could give you a chance to travel and work in the birthplace of civilization and cradle of the three major monotheistic religions - and the location of 2/3 of the world's oil reserves. Come and revisit words you already know, but this time in their original language: Arabic. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Extinction is not just for dinosaurs! What if you and your culture were on the brink of extinction because you were the last person in the world who spoke English? Sound preposterous? This is the situation in which hundreds of the world's languages now find themselves. Learn about some of these languages, what can be done to save them, and why linguistic diversity is crucial to survival of the planet. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Out and about: A tour of MSU's campus Join us for a 50-minute tour of MSU's campus! See Spartans in their natural habitat, including the Red Cedar River, MSU's first-class main library, and various campus landmarks. Learn about MSU's more than 150 year history, and discover some reasons as to why over 45,000 students called MSU "home" this year! | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm The fun side of language diversity: English vs. Urdu If we lived in a world where every language had the same sentence pattern and the same sounds it would be easier for us to learn new languages -- but wouldn't it be boring? Isn't it interesting when you hear someone speak your language with accented with the music of their first language, or hear someone patterning sentences based on their native language's grammar system? In this session you will see how Urdu is different from English and what happens when one tries to translate an Urdu sentence literally into English. Come join us because we can't wait love to hear you speak Urdu -- a blend of three beautiful languages: Farsi, Turkish, and Arabic. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm The language of movement: The art of pantomime Learn to speak without opening your mouth! Find out how to use your body to communicate your feelings and ideas. Welcome to the world of pantomime: come to this session and impress your friends by doing the rope, the cage, the moonwalk, the wall, and more! | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Language and music: Communicating ideas in Indonesia In this session you will learn about different kinds of music that is used to communicate ideas or send messages to other people in Indonesian society. Part of the presentation will be listening to different kinds of music and learning how the messages are interpreted (e.g., love songs, "teaching songs, patriotic songs). Then you'll hear about the role of music across the generations in Indonesia. Do Indonesian parents hate the music their kids are listening to? Come to this session to see if some trends are the same whether you're in Jackson, Michigan or Jakarta! | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Tae Kwon Do and self defense Have fun learning the traditional Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do. We will try some basic blocks, strikes, and kicks. We will also learn some practical self defense techniques. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Irish dance: Past, present and future Come explore Irish dance, from its deep roots in Ireland to its worldwide popularity today. You'll learn about solo and ceili (group) dancing, the different types of dances and the music that accompanies them, the traditions behind the elaborate costumes, and even a few words in Irish. Find out what it's like to be a competitive Irish dancer today. The last half of the workshop will teach participants to dance a traditional Irish jig! | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm What's it really like in the Peace Corps? Have you ever wondered what it's like to go to a new country and live there for two years with just a little language and culture training? In this panel discussion, returned Peace Corps volunteers will talk about their experiences living and working in diverse world areas. They will discuss learning different languages, working with local people, and learning about other cultures. Questions from participants are welcomed! Peace Corps representatives will also be on hand to answer questions. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm Armavirumque Monstro: Life in the Imperial Roman Army Through a first-person narrative of their lives and experiences, Quintus Fabricius Varus(David Smith) and Gallic friends will take students, teachers, and parents on a journey back to ancient Roman times. He will present in both Latin and English. The training and daily life of both a Roman legionary and so-called "barbarian" Gallic warriors will be explored with some audience participation in marching drill and the use of reproduction equipment. No previous knowledge of history or Latin is required. Attendees will gain an appreciation and a basic understanding of a common soldier's view of life in the first century A.D. | ||||||
| 02:30 pm - 03:20 pm From turquoise to Santa Claus: Little known facts about Turkey Why is the American Thanksgiving bird called a turkey? Where does the color turquoise get its name? Where and when was Santa born? In this session we will start with a little linguistics humor and move on to explore the little known facts about Turkey, a country with a unique culture that blends East and West and a unique location on two continents: Europe and Asia. You may even learn a couple words in Turkish. Görüsmek üzere! Hope to see you there! | ||||||
| Sessions offered from 03:30 pm to 04:20 pm | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Food and festivals in Mexico and Spain Did you know that in Spain tacos are associated with dancing but not with dinner? That bullfighting is practiced in both countries but in very different ways? Come and learn about the cultural and culinary traditions of these two incredibly unique yet deeply linked countries! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Survival Indonesian: From Borneo to Bali! The session is about learning some basics the Indonesian language and an introduction to the culture (dos and don'ts) when you travel to Indonesia. You'll be able to greet people, tell a little about yourself, and ask basic questions related to traveling. We're going to learn some basic things that are acceptable and frowned upon across the islands and diverse cultures of Indonesia. Feel at home from Borneo to Bali, Java to Sumatra! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm A Quinta do Caranguejo (and other tidbits of Brazilian culture) Come learn fascinating bits about Brazilian culture! This presentation will touch on many cultural aspects of Brazil including information about food, music, and Brazilian Portuguese. Come and see what makes the largest country in South America (and fifth largest in the world) so special! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Irish dance: Past, present and future Come explore Irish dance, from its deep roots in Ireland to its worldwide popularity today. You'll learn about solo and ceili (group) dancing, the different types of dances and the music that accompanies them, the traditions behind the elaborate costumes, and even a few words in Irish. Find out what it's like to be a competitive Irish dancer today. The last half of the workshop will teach participants to dance a traditional Irish jig! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Uzbekistan: Culture and traditions From the city of Samarkand to the wife of Alexander the Great in ancient times to the empire of Tamerlane and much later the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan has a fascinating history. Come to this session to learn more about this Central Asian nation, independent since 1991. You will learn about an amazing country full of customs and traditions, dance and songs. Discover Uzbekistan for yourself! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Study abroad: The real story! Did you know that MSU leads the nation in study abroad? MSU offers over 200 study abroad programs to every continent of the world. Join us for a discussion about MSU students' experiences studying abroad. We'll hear from students who have lived and studied in a variety of countries. You'll learn why they chose the programs they did, how they adapted to culture shock, how they used the language(s) they studied before going, and some of the cool projects they did. You'll also learn how studying abroad changed the direction of their studies and careers, in some cases! Materials from MSU's Office of Study Abroad will also be available. | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm What's your destination? Foreign languages and your career path If you love languages, you might be thinking about continuing your language study in college and maybe even declaring a major in a foreign language. But what comes next? There are a world of possibilities for the direction you can take after graduation! This session offers an overview of the various paths available to those who study foreign languages. Think all you can do is teach? Think again! Come to this session to get inspired by how you might attain your goals by studying something you're passionate about. | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm La pizza napoletana: The history and language of pizza Have you ever wondered if the pizza we all know and love is the same as the "real" pizza, the pizza invented in Naples, Italy? Come and learn how to make your own delicious and all-natural pizza all-italiana, while learning the history of pizza making and basic cooking vocabulary. You'll follow a recipe all in Italian and will have a pizza base to take home. Buonissima! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Growing up in Paris Pain au chocolat at four o'clock and Wednesdays off? I want to live there! In this session you'll walk through a typical day of a French teen. What do French students do for fun? What's it like living in a major tourist city? Find out in this session as you learn more about life in the City of Lights! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Tae Kwon Do and self defense Have fun learning the traditional Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do. We will try some basic blocks, strikes, and kicks. We will also learn some practical self defense techniques. | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Tying the knot in German - Tree climbing the new national sport in Germany? Tired of learning about the soccer leagues in Germany? Try a new sport: tree climbing. In this session you will watch a video of World Champion Bernd Strasser from Germany, learn the Schwabische Knoten, and learn about the events in tree climbing competitions. Weather permitting you will also watch a tree climbing demonstration by professional tree climber Alex Ellis from Ellis Arbor Care. | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm A taste of Arabic Do you want to know how to introduce yourself in Arabic? Do you know how to respond to those to introduce themselves or greet you in Arabic? You are invited to attend this session, where you'll learn to do all of this and more. We want to put you on the way to dream in Arabic one day. Come ready and leave the class speaking enough Arabic to impress your friends! See how easy Arabic can be. We'll try to make all of this possible in just 50 minutes of your time - join us and learn to greet 1.2 billion of the world's Muslims! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Songs from Latin America and Spain Do you like music? Do you like Spanish and Latin American music? Come and learn songs in Spanish. You will practice pronunciation, learn new words, and have fun listening to and participating in great live music at the same time! | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm The women of Islam In this session, you will have the opportunity to hear from several Muslim women from different countries about how the roles of women have changed over the past decade. Please come prepared to ask questions as the majority of this session will be a Q and A time. | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Spanish in the New World Order (or 10 reasons you can give your parents why you should study it!) Why study Spanish? Spain spent much of the 20th century in relative isolation but has catapulted forward with recent unprecedented growth. Spanish-speaking Latin America, for its part, comprises a huge and growing global market, while Spanish speakers in the United States continue to be the largest growth area of population. This session will focus on the economic and cultural importance of Spanish in globalization. | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm Grammar guru: Communicative grammar can be fun! Teaching grammar is clearly necessary, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring! In this session we'll discuss what it means for a classroom task to be truly communicative, and why it's important that communicative strategies are used in today's world language classroom. We'll cover ways to teach grammar through communicative activities that will both motivate students and get them to use the required structures. You will leave this session with many new ideas for grammar-based activities, games, and strategies to keep your classroom lively and your students engaged. | ||||||
| 03:30 pm - 04:20 pm A tour of Tajikistan! Tajikistan is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. The best way to learn a new culture is to observe it - and in this session you'll be able to "observe" this beautiful country from the Pamir mountains, known as the "Roof of the World" since Victorian times. Experience the Tajik language, culture and the coolest sport in Central Asia: "buzkashi," a very dangerous sport played on horseback! | ||||||
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