September 29, 2023
Media Advisory: SIU to host 1,000 students for World Languages Day 2023
CARBONDALE, Ill. – In celebration of World Languages and Cultures Day on Tuesday, Oct. 3, Southern Illinois University Carbondale will host 1,000 students from 14 area high schools for a day of special experiences focusing on world languages, cultures and how language works.
The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the SIU Student Center. This is the 48th year that SIU has hosted a World Languages Day. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Student Center ballrooms prior to a morning of energetic fun and programs for high school students. Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the interactive, hands-on demonstrations involving students from the following high schools:
- Carbondale Community High School.
- Carterville High School.
- Chester High School.
- Cobden High School.
- Du Quoin High School.
- Eldorado High School.
- Johnston City High School.
- Marion High School.
- Mount Vernon Township High School.
- Murphysboro High School.
- Pana High School.
- Pinckneyville Community High School.
- Red Bud High School.
- Vienna High School.
The event is open only to the students and teachers who are registered, due to space restrictions.
The School of Languages and Linguistics and the College of Liberal Arts are sponsoring the celebration of world languages and cultures. Speakers will include Jennifer Smith, associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts, who will provide the welcome.
Media will find numerous opportunities for engaging photographs and video during a variety of breakout sessions as students “Zumba with Liz: Working Out to World Rhythms,” learn about the language of hip-hop and racial identity in contemporary America, try their hands at Japanese crafts, find out more about virtual reality at SIU Carbondale, delve into writing with pictures in ancient Americas, discuss SIU study abroad programs and much more.
View the complete schedule. For more information, contact Rachel Wolters, recruitment specialist, College of Liberal Arts, at wld@siu.edu. For assistance during the event that morning, contact Layla Murphy, recruitment, retention and outreach coordinator, at 618-713-7613.