The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures will be hosting the 25th annual Foreign Languages and Literatures Day on March 9, 2007.  The 2007 program will accommodate 450 high school students and teachers, with an additional 50 guests (speakers, faculty, UM department heads).   

Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures hosted the 24th Annual Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) Day on Friday, March 10, 2006.  Three hundred and eighty-nine (389) students, 29 teachers, and four chaperones from high schools across Montana attended foreign language courses and presentations.  Students chose from a wide selection of cultural and academic offerings involving nine languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Latin, Persian, Russian, and Spanish), which included, for example, presentations on history, music, culture, and cinema.  Additional offerings included introductions to various study abroad opportunities, and the Peace Corps.  Participants pay their own way to Missoula and their overnight stay, if necessary.  

Students and teachers attended an international luncheon with Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures faculty and members of the University of Montana’s administration.  The speaker was James McKusick of the Davidson Honors College.   

Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures first began Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) Day in 1982 as the result of a faculty brain storming session.  Under the direction of Dr. John Hay, Chair of the MCLL Department at that time, faculty members were asked to come up with ideas on how to establish and maintain a relationship with Montana high school teachers and their students.  Many Montana high school teachers are former graduate students of the Department at The UM; there was concern the Department relationship with students was often lost once students graduated from The University and became professional teachers in the Montana school system.  The Department wished to continue as a University resource for teachers and students in the wider community.  The faculty came up with the idea of creating FLL Day where teachers and students could visit campus for a day and a half to participate in college level classes and presentations.   

In the early 1980’s the program gave teachers an opportunity to improve their computerized instruction skills and attend a variety of workshops.  It also established the long term and consistent goal of introducing Montana high school students to college level classes in foreign languages, literatures, and cultures.  In addition to the college-level classes students attended, the FLL faculty also provided and continues to provide special presentations highlighting cultural and academic topics of interest and programs on study abroad opportunities.  

FLL Day has grown steadily in size and popularity with high school foreign language teachers and students.  Many high school teachers look forward to bringing their students to campus every year and of course reconnecting with each other, and with The University.  The Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures has hosted as many as 841 students and teachers at one time.  Since 1982, the Department has hosted approximately 12,000 high school students and teachers. 

A highlight of the FLL Day program is the luncheon where students are introduced to a variety of speakers, eat from an international menu, and enjoy entertainment.  Students have seen stage performances in the Classics, heard Carmen sung aloud by one of the Foreign Languages and Literatures graduate students, and listened to The Trouble Clefs, a traditional German music ensemble made up of Department professors and volunteers. 

FLL Day sponsors include Office of the President, University of Montana; Vice President of Student Affairs; Davidson Honors College; Admissions and New Student Services; Alumni Affairs; and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures.