Among the favorite activities of SIU Carbondale’s World Languages and Cultures Day is learning American Sign Language. (Photo by Yenitza Melgoza)
March 16, 2026
1,400 students to visit SIU for World Languages and Cultures Day
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale will celebrate the 50th World Languages and Cultures Day on Thursday, March 19, with 1,400 students from 23 high schools across the state learning the history and future of languages and cultures.
The celebration, “50 Years of Learning, 250 Years of Belonging,” is from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Student Center. Festivities begin with a welcome session at 9:15 a.m. hosted by Jennifer Smith, a professor of Spanish and co-acting interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts, along with Lourdes Albuixech, an associate professor of Spanish, and School of Languages and Linguistics (SLL) faculty members.
Smith has been watching high school students come to the event for the last 20 years.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see students get excited about other languages and cultures. The event brings so much energy to campus and reminds teachers that what we do truly matters,” she said. “Our hope is that students begin to see how studying another language can open their minds to entirely new worlds and inspire them to continue their studies in this area. But even if they simply walk away from the day excited about the fun they had, we still consider that a success.”
Media availability
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover World Languages and Cultures Day. For more information or assistance in arranging interviews on Thursday, March 19, contact Rachel Wolters, coordinator for recruitment and retention in the College of Liberal Arts, at rachelw@siu.edu or 618-318-2197.
Brody Bluemel, a professor and SLL director, noted the regional importance of the event, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary along with the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“In our increasingly interconnected world, language skills, and intercultural communication are core competencies. For students in Southern Illinois, this event is a gateway. It transforms language from a high school graduation requirement into a living, breathing tool for career success and cultural empathy,” he said. “Whether students eventually pursue business, healthcare, technology, or any other profession, the ability to navigate a multilingual world is a distinct competitive advantage.”
The event is also a “testament to SIU’s long-standing commitment to global citizenship.”
This ‘Golden Anniversary’ is particularly poignant as it aligns with the 250th anniversary of the United States,” he said. “We are celebrating the fact that for two-and-a-half centuries, the American story has been written in many languages. Our school has spent the last 50 years ensuring that Southern Illinois students are central characters in that ongoing, diverse narrative.”
This year’s celebration has several new features, including:
- A poster contest for high schools based on this year’s theme. The posters will be displayed in the Student Center’s Art Alley during the event and with SLL faculty members serving as judges.
- Numerous interactive sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to noon in the International Lounge, in addition to 20-minute sessions in the Student Center’s river rooms, ballrooms and auditorium. A college fair will also take place during the morning in the John W. Corker Lounge.
There will also be numerous interactive, hands-on demonstrations and a variety of topics in breakout sessions throughout the morning. Session titles include:
- Hot Ones Challenge with SLL faculty.
- The Spanish Sprint: Race Through the Regions — a high-speed scavenger hunt across virtual Spain.
- Kichwa Musical Instruments, Dancing, and Language.
- Syriac: The Language of Middle Eastern Christianity.
- Discover Taiwan: Study Abroad and Cultural Exploration.
- Chinese Paper Cutting: The Art of Jianzhi.
- Immerse Yourself in Tswana Culture.
- The Rhein in Germany.
- Non-verbal Communication in Ghanaian Community: Gong-Gong Beating, Stone Throw, Whistling and Dance Language.
- Meditate Like a Monk.
- Language As User Interface.
Students from the following schools are expected to attend:
- Arcola Jr/Sr High School.
- Benton Consolidated High School.
- Carbondale Community High School.
- Carterville High School.
- Central A&M High School, Moweaqua.
- Chester High School.
- Cobden High School.
- Du Quoin High School.
- Eldorado High School.
- Frankfort Community High School, West Frankfort.
- Herrin High School.
- Johnston City High School.
- Marion High School.
- Massac County High School.
- Mount Vernon Township High School.
- Murphysboro High School.
- Odin High School.
- Okaw Valley High School, Bethany.
- Pana High School.
- Pinckneyville Community High School.
- Red Bud High School.
- Trico High School.
- Vienna High School.
The School of Languages and Linguistics and the College of Liberal Arts is sponsoring the celebration.