World Affairs Council of Houston

Foreign Language Symposia

The Council invites all Houston-area secondary schools and colleges with foreign language programs to participate in our annual foreign language symposia. The theme lunches are held in the specified language and include a speaker and student entertainment. The goal is to recognize students for learning a new language and to acknowledge teachers who nurture these interests. The Texas Foreign Language Association honored the World Affairs Council with the Friend of the Profession Award in 2008.

Click here to learn more about the foreign language symposia
Click here to download the 2009 registration form

The luncheons are sponsored by the Council without cost to students and teachers. Thank you to these foreign language symposia sponsors: Aramco Services, Anadarko, Cole Chemical, ExxonMobil, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Schlumberger, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

Language Symposia

United Way Building
50 Waugh Drive
10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Date Language Students per teacher

April 1

French

up to 5 students

April 2

Russian

up to 15 students

April 8

Japanese

up to 15 students

April 14

German

up to 5 students

April 15

Chinese

up to 10 students

April 22

Spanish

up to 5 students

April 24

Italian

up to 15 students

May 5

Arabic

up to 15 students

Reason to attend

These events are fun and educational, motivating students to gain proficiency in a new language. Students will benefit by:

· Practicing public speaking

· Learning about a current topic

· Meeting peers from other schools

· Conversing with business leaders

· Gaining self-confidence in their language

Selecting students
We invite advanced non-native language students and teachers to represent their school. Students will be expected to speak in the specified language throughout the luncheon. The foreign language will be spoken through the duration of the event so we ask that teachers select students at level three or higher.

Additional activities
We encourage students to actively participate in the luncheon program. Students may sing, act, recite, or perform in the selected language. Contact the Council if your group or an individual is interested in presenting.

http://www.houstonlibrary.org/research/wlc.html
The Houston Public Library system serves the City's culturally diverse communities by offering a broad program of free educational, informational and recreational activities through a central complex and neighborhood branch libraries. The World Languages Center serves Houston’s diverse community by offering opportunities for learning, fun and access to technology in multiple languages.

For more information email edursvp@wachouston.org.
To register: Email names of students, teacher, school, telephone, and email address.
Click here to download the 2009 registration form