Reflect, Reconnect, and Recharge: Celebrating 10 Years and Moving Forward Together

Morning Events: Reflecting

8:30am-9:00am Breakfast and Chat; Introduction of Sarah Betzer

9:00am-9:10am Opening Remarks by Sarah Betzer, A&S Associate Dean for the Humanities and Arts

9:10am-9:35am Keynote Speech by Stephen D. Mull, Vice Provost for Global Affairs

Title: Is World Language Study Obsolete?

Abstract: Some education policy and economic leaders question whether world language instruction is still necessary in an era of contracting resources, increasing emphasis on the STEM fields, and recent advances in artificial intelligence.  Drawing from examples in his diplomatic career, Ambassador Mull will make the argument that world language instruction is more essential than ever for our students’ complete intellectual development and professional success in an increasingly interconnected world.

9:35am-9:50am Poll Everywhere Activity Reactions to Speakers

Description:  In this activity, all participants will answer questions concerning reactions to the opening, the keynote, and beginning the retreat.

9:50am-10:00am Coffee and Stretch Break

10:00am-10:50am Poll Everywhere Program Activity: Facilitated by Hope Fitzgerald and Chad Diehl

Description: In this activity, participants will answer pre-determined questions about the programs with a concentration on reflecting on the past and how the programs have changed.

10:50am-11:00am Break and Reorganize Groups

11:00am-11:50am Jigsaw Sharing Reflections from Past Five Years

Description:  In this activity, programs will be intermixed so reflections can be shared, and participants can learn from one another.

11:50pm-12:05pm Gather Lunches to Bring Back to Main Session

Lunch Workshop: Reconnecting

12:10pm-1:00pm Lunch and Listening Workshop with Dorothe Bach

Title: Radical Listening as a Tool to Promote Creative Thinking and Interactional Self-Reliance

Description: In the workshop, Dorothe Bach with training in Embodied Critical Thinking(link is external) will draw on her experience utilizing a peer listening process that fosters learners’ ability to support each other in articulating ideas and making meaning of experience. deepening their appreciation of difference and interdependence and cultivating interactional self-reliance. During this lunch session, participants will engage in a sample radical listening exercise and in the process deepen their collegial connection and recharge their passion for language learning.  

Afternoon Events:  Recharging and Moving Forward

Description: In the afternoon sessions, individual programs will meet to discuss how they will recharge as well as their aspirations for the future. Groups will then share their collaborated documents. Afternoon activities will be facilitated by Anne Rotich (Swahili) & Lilian Feitosa (Portuguese).

1:00pm-1:50pm Individual Programs Recharge

1:50pm-2:00pm Stretch and Coffee Break

2:00pm-2:50pm Individual Program Activity and Group Share

2:50pm-3:00pm Survey, Closing Remarks, and Swag Pick Up