growing OUR FUTURE! |
NEWS FROM WLI-MT
summer camp signups open March 1st!
Our partnership with the City of Bozeman Parks & Recreation allows us to offer summer world language & culture learning to the Bozeman Area community at the Story Mansion & Lindley Center. Our week-long immersion-based camps are offered through the entire month ofJuly. This year we have offerings in French, German, Mandarin & Spanish! We offer exciting art and activity-based language learning camps for children ages 5-13.
Kristen Wolf's 2019 Summer Camp students enjoying the benefits of play-based immersion Spanish!
SAVE THE DATE!
This year WLI-MT's annual spring fundraiser is Saturday, April 18th. Come join us for an exclusive, fun and unique fundraising event celebrating world languages under the big sky!
This year our goal is to raise $25,000 to grow and strengthen our ability to offer unique & authentic world language and culture learning opportunities in our Bozeman Area community.
See our Events page to learn more!
This year WLI-MT's annual spring fundraiser is Saturday, April 18th. Come join us for an exclusive, fun and unique fundraising event celebrating world languages under the big sky!
This year our goal is to raise $25,000 to grow and strengthen our ability to offer unique & authentic world language and culture learning opportunities in our Bozeman Area community.
See our Events page to learn more!
GIVE THE GIFT OF FEEDBACK : FILL OUT A PROGRAM EVALUATION
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By donating to The World Language Initiative -MT, you allow us to continue creating and offering language & culture programs for everyone in our community.
Your donation will 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. "I support WLI- MT because I believe language is a fundamental skill set we should embrace, promote, and develop to aid our children in understanding cultures, connecting people, and creating interest in international adventures." Christi Coubrough, Owner of Bozeman's McDermott Financial Services |
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 |