A Day to Enjoy Language Learning

• Provide Sacramento State students with the opportunity to experience language and culture learning directly from native speakers and advanced speakers of various languages.

Student Leadership and Empowerment! 

• Offer advanced language students the chance to showcase their skills and enhance leadership skills

• connecting with others who share a passion for languages 

• gaining public recognition and visibility 

• accessing information on study abroad 

• possible extra credit 

Announcement that we sent out (please forward this to interested students).

***

🌏 World Languages Day – Seeking Language Experts and Volunteers

Are you interested in volunteering as a Language Expert for World Languages Day on Thursday, November 9th(10am – 2pm)? Please click here (sign-up link) and scroll down to locate your language of expertise. For additional information about the event, please visit the event website. 

For questions, contact Dr. Viola Ardeni (viola.ardeni@csus.edu) or Dr. Kazue Masuyama (masuyama@csus.edu)

A Brief History

The first World Languages Day (WLD) was held in 2003, initiated by a group of faculty members from the Department of World Languages and Literatures (WLL): Kathy Moore, Nicole Buffard, Laurence Lambert-Marandi, and Kazue Masuyama. Designed as a community outreach event, WLD brought together high school students, educators, and community members to celebrate language learning and cultural diversity. From 2003 to 2006, the event was held annually on weekends.

Following a seven-year pause, Kazue Masuyama partnered with Vanessa Arnaud to revive World Languages Day in 2013. Working in collaboration with Continuing and Career Education (CCE) and International Programs & Global Engagement (IPGE), they helped reestablish the event as a signature campus program promoting languages, cultures, and global engagement. Key collaborators included Hugh Le, Michelle Loew, and Alessandra McMorris.

The success of World Languages Day has also been made possible through the dedication of many WLL faculty members over the years, including Curtis Smith, Alba Boyer, Clovis Karam, Kevin Elstob, Maria Mayberry, Eliot Kelly, Catherine Miskow, Lorella Silvestri, Heeju Han, Miguel Bota, Amrik Singh, and many others who contributed their time, expertise, and enthusiasm.

World Languages Day continued to grow each year until it was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. (See the YouTube videos below to learn more about past events.)

In Fall 2023, Viola Ardeni joined the leadership team as co-chair with Kazue Masuyama, helping guide the continued growth and success of World Languages Day. In 2024, World Languages Day celebrated a record-breaking year with 35 languages represented. The event highlighted Sacramento State’s commitment to multilingualism and global education, bringing together students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and language experts for a day of cultural exchange, hands-on language activities, performances, and opportunities to explore study abroad and other international experiences.