We were hesitant to proceed with a virtual FIU Language Day due to Zoom burnout and the lack of word-of-mouth advertising. However, we also thought it was an opportunity to bring language lovers together for dialogue and fun and it paid off!!
Twenty-three people participated in a tough game of trivia and 27 joined people to chat in their language of choice. The feedback was extremely positive and included the following comments:
- ... As a participant, I had fun! ... they were tough! ... I went to an online trivia contest last week ... And you two did a MUCH better job than they did.
- The fact that FIU is promoting foreign languages and international culture.
- Nice break, it was fun.
- The pleasant and personable hosts :) / enthusiasm
- Thank you so much for this fun online opportunity. It was great to finally get a chance to participate in an "extra curricular" activity with other students. I've only been on campus a handful of times to meet with a guidance counselor or a professor, never anything social. I feel like this gave me a chance to connect as if I were on campus.
- It is fun and interactive. It is also engaging and social, which is perfect during the social distancing age.
- Hearing full conversations in French; getting to practice listening and a little speaking; finding out about the French club and the book club
- Getting to meet people and hearing new languages
- I would be interested in recurring language events. I have seen ''mesas de conversacion'' as an example, for Spanish at other universities that meet weekly or bi-weekly. I would be interested in doing this especially given lockdowns and COVID.
- Given the present circumstances, we cannot ask for more. I think the event was a success!
- I could have spent all day doing that