Foreign Language and International Studies Day (FLIS) will be May 6.^. This day-long celebration is the largest event dedicated to language and culture in Oregon. More than 1100 high school students and teachers from throughout Oregon come to the UO campus for a day of language, culture, and entertainment presented by UO faculty, staff, and students. Presentations range from a show by UO’s dance troupe, “K-Aire” to the more classical world of “Le Théâtre Français”. And everything in between—study abroad, Russian Food, Chinese Calligraphy, Music of the Andes and much more. Forty cultures and langauges are represented.

FLIS is a chance to visit the University of Oregon and learn more about the availability of different language and cultural opportunities. Its size and academic focus make it a unique opportunity for secondary students in the Pacific Northwest. Very few programs nationwide offer so many possibilities to explore a multitude of languages in such a hands-on way. Language lessons are always among the most popular, and this year we have instruction in, Arabic, Basque, Chinese, German, Hebrew, Italian, Sahaptin (Ichishkíin), Swahili, and Turkish.

This year’s event begins at 8:30 AM with a keynote address by Dr. Janne Underriner, director of the Northwest Indian Langauge Institute at UO, a center devoted to the preservation and teaching of Native American languages. Students then attend hourly presentations from 9-3. As in past years, the ASUO Street Faire will be taking place at the same time as FLIS, offering participants a rich variety of food and crafts to enjoy.

For more information about FLIS Day please contact Michelle Hefner, FLIS Coordinator, by phone at 541.346.1538 or via e-mail at flis@uoregon.edu. You can also visit our website at babel.uoregon.edu.