Exploring and celebrating linguistic diversity with local youth
World Languages Day (WLD) is an annual, community-focused event at Cornell that celebrates linguistic diversity, cultural exchange and global literacy. Launched in 2019 with support from a prior Engaged Opportunity Grant (EOG), WLD brings middle and high school students to campus to immerse themselves in a wide range of languages and cultures.
Participants explore hands-on language and culture sessions led by Cornell faculty, students and staff; enjoy performances and workshops by student groups; hear from students who have studied abroad; and discover campus programs. Sessions featuring current language students and international students are especially popular. Undergraduate volunteers guide the youth through the event, practicing leadership and communication skills while engaging meaningfully with local schools.
With new EOG funding, organizers Angelika Kraemer, Ashley Griffith and Liz Millhollen plan to further broaden WLD’s reach, aided by their community partners, including TST BOCES and Ithaca High School. Building on the success of previous years and sustained partnerships, the team will leverage World Languages Day to integrate community-engaged learning into Cornell’s language courses, ultimately fostering a deeper appreciation for multilingualism in an interconnected world.
Exploring and celebrating linguistic diversity with local youth
World Languages Day (WLD) is an annual, community-focused event at Cornell that celebrates linguistic diversity, cultural exchange and global literacy. Launched in 2019 with support from a prior Engaged Opportunity Grant (EOG), WLD brings middle and high school students to campus to immerse themselves in a wide range of languages and cultures.
Participants explore hands-on language and culture sessions led by Cornell faculty, students and staff; enjoy performances and workshops by student groups; hear from students who have studied abroad; and discover campus programs. Sessions featuring current language students and international students are especially popular. Undergraduate volunteers guide the youth through the event, practicing leadership and communication skills while engaging meaningfully with local schools.
With new EOG funding, organizers Angelika Kraemer, Ashley Griffith and Liz Millhollen plan to further broaden WLD’s reach, aided by their community partners, including TST BOCES and Ithaca High School. Building on the success of previous years and sustained partnerships, the team will leverage World Languages Day to integrate community-engaged learning into Cornell’s language courses, ultimately fostering a deeper appreciation for multilingualism in an interconnected world.
- Angelika Kraemer, Language Resource Center, College of Arts and Sciences
- Ashley Griffith, Language Resource Center, College of Arts and Sciences
- Liz Millhollen, Einhorn Center for Community Engagement
- Community Partners: TST BOCES, Ithaca High School
Providing seed support for a wide range of community-engaged learning projects