Contact:

Marina Peters-Newell 277-0525 Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920

February 22, 2002

EXPLORE THE WORLD'S LANGUAGES AT UNM EXPO

The University of New Mexico's Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) and the Albuquerque Language Teachers Association (ALTA), present Language Expo 2002, "Your World, My World, Our World," on Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ortega Hall on the UNM campus.

The event gives middle, high school and university students the opportunity to experience the reality and vitality of Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Latin and perhaps even Swahili and Arabic. The event is free and open to the public.

"In this time of international tension and trouble, it is our responsibility as world language teachers to impress upon our students and communities the need for cultural understanding. We want to send the message that cultural education goes a long way toward eliminating resentments and eradicating the fear of indifference," says Marina Peters-Newell, FLL lecturer, and event coordinator.

Among the many events scheduled are dance workshops, truffle making, origami, martial arts, karaoke, crêpe making, German music, French in Africa and Brazilian music. Competitions involve poetry, posters, theme building, trivia and limbo. Prizes
include gift certificates for movies, pizza and books. Food will be available - some free, some for sale.

"Students are encouraged to come, get a passport and learn to talk the talk," says Peters-Newell.

A variety of language demonstrations the students can participate in are offered. They include games, conversation, scavenger hunts and computer exploration. Language booths will be available to display information and answer questions.

"Instead of erecting barricades to safeguard our own language and culture, we want students to embrace other world perspectives, their vocabularies and ideas," adds Peters-Newell.

For more information visit www.unm.edu/~fll.

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The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981