The Department of French, Hispanic & Italian Studies (FHIS) at UBC invites undergraduate and graduate students to apply as panelists for our upcoming roundtable discussion:
Why Learn Languages Today?
- Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
- Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Irving K. Barber Learning Centre – Room 301 (Peña Room)
About the Event
As part of UBC Arts Multilingual Week, this roundtable will explore the value of language learning in today’s world — both in general, and specifically within the realm of Romance Languages (Catalan, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish).
Guiding questions may include:
- Why learn languages today, especially with the rise of AI?
- Why study languages at the university or post-graduate level?
- Why focus on Romance Languages specifically?
- Why learn your Romance Language (Catalan, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish)?
We anticipate a rich discussion touching on:
- The value of multilingualism
- How language learning shapes identity and cultural understanding
- Academic and career opportunities
- Contributions of language learning to social justice, equity, and global citizenship
We’ll end with an open mic segment, where audience members can share experiences and ask questions.
Who Can Present & What’s Involved
We are seeking students who are interested in being panelists. If selected, you will share your perspectives (drawing from your own language learning experience) and respond to questions. No matter your proficiency level, your voice is welcome.
How to Apply
If you want to be considered as a presenter, complete the Application Form below by October 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM.
Contact
If you have any questions about what being a presenter involves, or about the process, feel free to reach out to Dr. Brianne Orr-Alvarez (Chair, FHIS Student Engagement Committee) at brianne.orr@ubc.ca.
