Languages of the World Day

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Past Languages of the World Day overview

High schools: Applications to attend Languages of the World Day 2027 are now open!

Submit your school’s application by October 30, 2026 to bring students to this unique and exciting event. Apply on behalf of your entire school; not just your own class(es). Coordinate with other colleagues at your school if they are also interested in bringing students.

Questions? Reach out to Lydia Odegard, Language Directions Specialist at the Language Institute: outreach@languageinstitute.wisc.edu

Apply now

Languages of the World Day staff with Bucky Badger

Call for Presenters

Proposal submission deadline: Monday, December 14, 2026

Submission guidelines

The Language Institute enthusiastically invites UW–Madison faculty, staff, and graduate students to offer 40-minute, interactive presentations geared towards a high school audience at Languages of the World Day on Wednesday, April 7, 2027 at Union South. This event is an opportunity to introduce Wisconsin high school students and teachers to the languages you teach or research, encouraging further exploration and study. Sessions can include:

Demonstration language lessons
Presentations on cultural topics (e.g., holidays, cuisine, theater, history, pop culture)
Presentations related to the scientific study of human language(s), including on language in social contexts
Student or other panels (e.g., study abroad, careers)
Introductions to performing arts

Successful sessions are fun, interactive, and engaging for high school students.

Session times are: 9:40-10:20am, 10:30-11:10am, and 12:10-12:50pm

Submit a proposal

About Languages of the World Day

Exemplifying the Wisconsin Idea, Languages of the World Day is a signature precollege outreach program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison hosted by the Language Institute. The program introduces Wisconsin high school students to diverse languages and cultures. The program raises awareness of the rich linguistic diversity of the region and world, of the interconnected nature of language and culture, and of the transformative potential of language learning.

The event takes place on the UW–Madison campus. Over 650 high school students and their teachers from urban, suburban, and rural school districts from around the state participate in the event, which includes breakout sessions led by approximately 60 UW–Madison faculty, staff and students on diverse languages, cultures, and artistic traditions.

2027 Event Details

Date and time: Wednesday, April 7 from 8:00-2:00pm
Location: Union South, UW–Madison campus
Cost: None to attend, but students are responsible for their own lunch and schools are responsible for sub and bus costs.

We expect interest in the Languages of the World Day to exceed the capacity of the venue. Once the application period closes, we will review applicants and notify schools whether they have been selected to attend. Each accepted school will be able to bring up to 20 students.

Languages of the World Day 2027 Sponsors

We are grateful to the many sponsors whose contributions will make Languages of the World Day 2027 possible:

Past Languages of the World Day Overview

The event took place at Union South on the UW–Madison campus.

8:00-8:30am	School arrival and check-in Varsity Hall, Union South
8:45-9:05am	Opening program Varsity Hall, Union South
9:20-10:00am	Session 1
10:10-10:50am	Session 2
10:50-11:40	Lunch and Resource Fair Varsity Hall
11:40am-12:20pm	Session 3
12:30-1:10pm	Session 4
1:20-2:00pm	Closing program Varsity Hall

Learn more about the breakout sessions we offered in 2025 here.

Burlington High School (Burlington, WI)
Christian Life School (Kenosha, WI)
Crandon High School (Crandon, WI)
Fall River High School (Fall River, WI)
Lake Mills High School (Lake Mills, WI)
Lincoln High School (Manitowoc, WI)
Little Chute High School (Little Chute, WI)
Marquette University High School (Milwaukee, WI)
Mount Horeb High School (Mount Horeb, WI)
Neenah High School (Neenah, WI)
New Berlin Eisenhower High School (New Berlin, WI)
Nicolet Union High School (Glendale, WI)
Oakfield High School (Oakfield, WI)
Platteville High School (Platteville, WI)
Prairie du Chien High School (Prairie du Chien, WI)
South High School (Waukesha, WI)
St. Mary Catholic High School (Neenah, WI)
Waupun High School (Waupun, WI)
West Allis Central High School (West Allis, WI)

Event presenters submitted music representing the languages their sessions focused on. The music has been compiled into a playlist, which you can access on Spotify.

Listen to the playlist

2025 Testimonials

“Thank you so much for providing such an excellent opportunity to our students! This was the first time that many of my students have ever been on a college campus, and they really enjoyed this opportunity!”

participating Wisconsin high school teacher

“The event was great, I was very pleased to have gone. It was an experience I won’t forget, whether that be because the Zulu click noises are in my head or the Dutch pirate songs keep coming back to my mind. Thank you all for having us!”

participating Wisconsin high school student

“It is really fun and I’m very glad that I was able to do it! I would definitely do it again! It’s cool to learn about languages and cultures that are different than what you know.”

participating Wisconsin high school student