celebrating a multi-cultural bozeman |
NEWS FROM WLI-MT
thank you for a great fall of after-school
language classes!
We'd like to thank every single family who signed up for our 2019/20 After-School Language Programs.
Over 400 students are enrolled this year and are learning German, Chinese, Spanish, and French through play-based activities, all taught by our incredible language coaches.
Classes resume the week of January 13th!
Give the gift of feedback by filling out a program evaluation :
Over 400 students are enrolled this year and are learning German, Chinese, Spanish, and French through play-based activities, all taught by our incredible language coaches.
Classes resume the week of January 13th!
Give the gift of feedback by filling out a program evaluation :
DECEMBER 3RD IS GIVING TUESDAY.
give a special gift to wli-mt this year
and BECOME AN OFFICIAL 2020 DONOR
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By giving to The World Language Initiative -MT, you allow us to continue creating and offering language & culture programs for everyone in our community.
Your gift this season can do things like give scholarships to students in our After-School Programs, buy new materials for our language coaches, and send students to our Summer Language Camps. By giving, you are making a difference in student's lives in our community. Find out why second language & culture exposure is so important through this amazing story below. |
A STORY ON HOW LEARNING A SIMPLE GREETING OF "MARHABA"
(HELLO IN ARABIC), CHANGES SO MUCH.
New MSU Arabic Professor, Bassam Alkholy knows first-hand how kindness can be generated through connecting with second languages & cultures.
Last weekend, Bassam was sitting in Costco with his wife and three children enjoying some lunch. Bassam and his family are Palestinian-Jordanian who moved here in August from Mississippi.
A local Bozeman student was sitting near them, also with her family. She noticed Bassam and walked up to him. "Marhaba!" she said, which means "hello!" in Arabic. "Ana ismi Angela," she said. "My name is Angela."Bassam was so taken aback he asked, "How do you know how to say hello and your name in Arabic?" She said, "I am learning Arabic with Mr. Mahi, my 1st grade language teacher."
This small interaction was huge for both families. Bassam's children felt less "other," in a new town so different from what they are used to. This young girl made a bridge and connection through knowing a few basic Arabic words. She wanted to share. She was curious and friendly. The two families were able to talk and share their stories, all because of this six-year-old. There were tears in Bassam's eyes when he shared this with us.
"Your program is amazing. I want to work with you and help you bring Arabic to these young children."
Through our in-school day Arabic program, a young six-year old greeted an Arabic family and started a conversation at Costco. Think what the world could be if more American young people felt comfortable and excited to say "Marhaba" to others in our country and in our local community. This is our hope, to make more stories like this one through our programming.
Last weekend, Bassam was sitting in Costco with his wife and three children enjoying some lunch. Bassam and his family are Palestinian-Jordanian who moved here in August from Mississippi.
A local Bozeman student was sitting near them, also with her family. She noticed Bassam and walked up to him. "Marhaba!" she said, which means "hello!" in Arabic. "Ana ismi Angela," she said. "My name is Angela."Bassam was so taken aback he asked, "How do you know how to say hello and your name in Arabic?" She said, "I am learning Arabic with Mr. Mahi, my 1st grade language teacher."
This small interaction was huge for both families. Bassam's children felt less "other," in a new town so different from what they are used to. This young girl made a bridge and connection through knowing a few basic Arabic words. She wanted to share. She was curious and friendly. The two families were able to talk and share their stories, all because of this six-year-old. There were tears in Bassam's eyes when he shared this with us.
"Your program is amazing. I want to work with you and help you bring Arabic to these young children."
Through our in-school day Arabic program, a young six-year old greeted an Arabic family and started a conversation at Costco. Think what the world could be if more American young people felt comfortable and excited to say "Marhaba" to others in our country and in our local community. This is our hope, to make more stories like this one through our programming.
Have a Question?
Email info@wlimt.org
Email info@wlimt.org
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Come say Hello!
Our office is located in The Emerson Center at 111 S Grand Ave, Bozeman, MT Suite #202 |