Uw - Madison world languages day 2012

(Music) Have you ever wished you could travel the world in a day? Learn new languages, try new clothing, or take in new culture? As part of World Languages Day, high school students from around the state get to do just that! The University of Wisconsin-Madison Language Institute hosts the event... bringing together more than 700 students and educators to offer a passport to the world right here in Wisconsin. Schools from Milwaukee to Neenah to Oshkosh gather in Union South on the UW- Madison campus for an intensive one day sessions in languages other than traditional French and Spanish. Wendy Johnson Assistant Director UW-Language Institute We have 53 sessions, presentations, mini language lessons that are offered by UW-Madison faculty, staff, students, really expects in their fields. These students experience more than a typical day in the classroom. UW faculty, staff and students take hands on approach to not only teach language but also offer full emersion in culture (Music) Neenah High school senior Tabby Miller says classes like her session on Cajun French culture lets her connect her education to her recent travels to New Orleans. Tabby Miller, Neenah High School Senior Being able to relate what she was saying to what I have seen is part of the reason I thought it was so amazing. Especially the dancing. There is just so much going on and I thought it was so awesome to relate those two together. The experience doesn’t just stop at high school; many participants expand their language education into college, some right here at the University of Wisconsin. Taylor Hebel. UW Madison Student and Language Institute Outreach Assistant So I went in High School with Poynette High School and had a really good experience. So me I felt like coming from a small town that I didn’t necessarily know what languages were out there. So, I hope they would, like, take the opportunity and grasp it and really understand that there are so many languages out there. Educators like Sauk Prairie High School Spanish teacher Jeff Gerencser also believe this program will help his students expand their education in a more unique way. Jeff Gerencser, Sauk Prairie High School Teacher And I get feedback from my seniors after they go off to college, they will tell me about coming to UW-Madison and going off and doing a semester abroad and usually those are the kids that have come through the World Languages Day program. Tabby Miller, Neenah High School I definitely think this is so awesome and being able to see all of these people from all around Wisconsin joining together to do this, it is a great experience and I am happy I’m here.