-Where cultures meet-

The idea behind the Language Open Day goes back to 2015, when we launched our first version of the event. It quickly became our most anticipated annual event. It is an event that targets students, staff, local community and international staff and consulates. It gathers many language booths, in addition to introductory, games and contest corners. It usually lasts 2-3 days during the beginning of the academic year, and it is located in the main square outdoors, where students of different backgrounds get to see and visit the booths.

 
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The idea of creating the annual LOD came from a simple but powerful belief: learning languages opens doors, especially when many physical doors are closed. For Palestinian students who are deprived of safe and free mobility, languages become a way to cross borders, meet people and discover the world without leaving campus. Our vision is to turn language learning into a lived experience through culture discovery, in order to make students travel intellectually, emotionally and culturally while they are still at the university. That’s why even our language courses are offered by international native speakers.

Our mission is to create a welcoming and vibrant gathering where we break stereotypes about languages and cultures and where we encourage university students to learn languages. Languages are presented here to be felt and enjoyed, not only to be studied. Through real interaction, food, music and shared experiences, the LOD brings cultures closer and makes learning meaningful. It is a celebration of diversity, curiosity and human connection.

The Language Open Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of learning languages in today’s world, not only for careers and education, but for understanding others and oneself. It encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, to listen, ask questions, and see the world through different cultural lenses. The event also seeks to inspire students to continue learning languages and to actively engage with the programs offered by the LRC. Also, the event aims at presenting cultures and languages through the students volunteers’ eyes, who organize, gather information, prepare traditional food, which develops their communication and interactive skills.

The event is designed first and foremost for An-Najah students from all faculties and academic levels. At the same time, it welcomes faculty members, administrative staff, visiting school students and cultural partners, creating a shared space where everyone can learn from one another.

This year, we welcomed the Korean ambassador, the Russian house in Bethlehem, the Japanese Deputy Chief of Mission, the French attaché for academic cooperation, and other internationals from NGOs such MSF.

We collaborated also with a Karate center, as a representative game for Japan, who trained a group of children to present a show of Karate. We offered the opportunity to the audience to use VR glasses to visit some monuments in Italy. We also prepared live to the audience, some Korean food, French crêpes, Spanish churros, etc.

Over the years, the LOD has grown naturally and creatively. What began as a modest language showcase has turned into an immersive cultural journey. The event included cultural booths, with traditional food, cultural costumes, glimpses into history, calligraphy and writing systems, and simple language expressions. Students do not just observe, they taste, ask, try, laugh, and connect. With the presence of international representatives, or native volunteers, the audience feel that they are closer to the other culture, they speak with them, ask them, and get connected

That being said, international representatives are not always present because of political constraints. The event is supposed to be student to student activity, organized by students interested in a culture. It’s been 2 years that we didn’t host any teacher in person, even though we usually receive 4 to 6 each term

One of the most loved initiatives this year was the Language Passport. At the entrance, students received a symbolic passport that marked the beginning of their journey. As they visited each of the 11 language booths, interacted with presenters, and learned new information, they collected stamps, just like real travelers.
The journey ended at the Contest Corner, where students answered questions based on what they had discovered along the way. Prizes were offered, but more importantly, students left with memories, knowledge and a sense of achievement.

This year, the event featured 11 language booths, each telling its own story and offering a small piece of the world to the audience: English, Spanish, Turkish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, and Sign language

The Language Resources Center (LRC) Introduction Corner aims to introduce visitors to the center’s mission and its role in supporting language learning and developing linguistic skills within an interactive educational environment. The center offers a variety of learning resources, including audio-visual materials, practical activities, and spaces designed for both self-directed and collaborative learning, serving learners of different levels.

Through this corner, visitors learn about the services provided by the Language Resources Center, the languages it supports, and how to benefit from its resources in both academic and extracurricular contexts. The corner also serves as the reception and guidance point for the Open Languages Day, where event “passports” are distributed. These passports allow participants to move between different language corners and collect stamps, creating an interactive experience that encourages exploration and active engagement

This cultural and linguistic booth aims to introduce visitors to the Arabic language and its rich heritage through an engaging, interactive experience. By offering a variety of games and activities designed to test knowledge and spark curiosity, the booth provides visitors with a hands-on opportunity to learn through active participation.

The booth features a diverse range of interactive activities, starting with a challenge that pairs images of iconic Arab landmarks with their respective national flags, effectively testing and expanding the visitors' geographical knowledge. In another section, participants are presented with brief biographical snapshots of celebrated Arab authors and poets, challenging them to guess the names behind the literary legacy. Additionally, the booth showcases visual puzzles where colloquial Arabic proverbs are represented through illustrative imagery. This specific activity highlights that the Arabic language beautifully encompasses both formal and colloquial forms, emphasizing that proverbs remain a cornerstone of Arab cultural identity.

Furthermore, the experience includes linguistic puzzles where visitors reassemble scrambled Classical Arabic words to uncover correct synonyms, alongside an exploration of Arabic calligraphy. In the latter, participants identify various traditional scripts by matching written samples with their correct names. Ultimately, this booth seeks to present Arabic as a vibrant, versatile, and beautiful language. By utilizing fun and interactive methods, it aims to foster a deeper appreciation and revitalize interest in the language among native-speaking university students.

The English language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, used by millions of people as a native or second language. It originated in England and developed over centuries, influenced by Germanic and Latin languages, before spreading globally through British expansion.

Today, English is mainly represented through British and American cultures. British culture is known for its long history, classical literature, the monarchy, and strong traditions. American culture, on the other hand, is famous for its diversity, openness, and global influence in movies, music, technology, and modern lifestyle. Despite differences in accent and vocabulary, the English language remains a cultural bridge that connects both cultures and influences the entire world.

Turkish culture is rich and diverse, combining deep Ottoman history with modern life. Turkey is known for its famous landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Cappadocia, and Pamukkale.

Turkish people are known for their hospitality, and tea is an essential part of daily life and social interaction. The Turkish language is widely spoken in Turkey and Northern Cyprus and belongs to the Turkic language family. Turkish culture remains strongly present in traditions, arts, and humanitarian values.

The Italian cultural booth featured a hands-on and interactive experience, divided into multiple sections covering language, cuisine, landmarks, historical figures, and modern industries. Games, quizzes, and simple activities were incorporated as core tools to convey information, based on the principle that learning becomes more effective and memorable when it is engaging and non-traditional

it also emphasized connections between Italian culture and visitors’ everyday lives, highlighting similarities with Arab traditions, such as the extensive use of olive oil and the social role of food. In addition, it provided practical insights into the Italian language, famous cities and landmarks, Renaissance figures, sports icons, and notable industries, supported by visual materials and artworks, offering a clear and accessible overview of Italian culture

The German corner introduced visitors to German culture, which is known for its organization, precision, and strong emphasis on work and education. It also highlighted the German language as one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe, with roots in the Germanic language family, and its use today in fields such as science, engineering, and business, making it a language of global importance.

Korean culture is well known worldwide for its diversity and for blending ancient traditions with modern life. Some of its most famous features include Korean food like kimchi and bibimbap, the global popularity of skincare, and famous landmarks such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jeju Island. Koreans value respect and order, and it is common to take off shoes when entering a home. Also, writing names in red is avoided because it is associated with death

The Korean language is called “Hangul,” a writing system created by King Sejong the Great in the 15th century so that ordinary people could read and write easily instead of using difficult Chinese characters.

Today, Korean is spoken in South and North Korea and has become globally popular because Korean dramas and K-pop , Hangul is known as one of the simplest and most logical writing systems in the world.

The Sign Language Corner aims to introduce students to sign language and Deaf culture through an interactive and experiential approach. Upon entering the corner, students receive a card that says, “Today, you are part of the Deaf community. Communicate with your friends using sign language only,” encouraging them to experience non-verbal communication. Images of sign language letters and basic words are displayed on a screen to support understanding, while cards showing signs and their meanings are placed on the table. Students take part in an educational game where they guess a name or a word using signs and letters, then try to spell their own names using sign language letters, making the learning process fun and engaging. Throughout the activity, students communicate with each other using only sign language, helping them understand the importance of visual communication and the experience of the Deaf community. The corner also includes a learning tree where students add what they have learned, such as new sign language vocabulary, information about Deaf culture, or their reflections, promoting awareness, respect, and acceptance of differences.

We organized a special interactive corner dedicated to Russian culture, welcoming the Russian delegation from Bethlehem. The event offered a rich cultural experience reflecting the depth and diversity of Russia’s heritage, where historical roots blend with elements of modern life. The program featured three engaging sections, starting with the informational corner, which included interactive activities such as a True or False game about Russia and a word-matching game connecting Russian words with their correct cards, creating a fun and educational atmosphere. This was followed by the games corner, featuring a fast-paced chess match between participants, along with a modern-style version of Shashki (Russian checkers). The event concluded with the cultural corner, highlighting prominent Russian writers and figures, as well as traditional folk tales and famous Russian cartoon characters. It was a well-rounded experience combining knowledge, interaction, and cultural entertainment.

The Games Booth was designed as an interactive space that supports language learning through hands-on experience and active engagement. It featured a selection of educational games, including Scrabble, Heads Up, Countries Puzzle, Who Am I, and Pictionary, each contributing to the development of different language skills such as vocabulary enrichment, oral communication, comprehension, and creative thinking.

The corner relied on game-based learning as a core approach to presenting language concepts, based on the belief that engagement and enjoyment enhance understanding more effectively than traditional methods. In addition, the Games Corner created an energetic and welcoming atmosphere that encouraged visitors to participate, interact comfortably, and practice language skills with confidence, resulting in a smooth and enjoyable learning experience.

The Contests Corner featured an interactive activity designed as a spinning wheel decorated with playing card symbols. Participants spun the wheel to determine the type of challenge. The activities included locating countries on a world map, listening to song clips and identifying their language, a flip-and-match game, coloring activities, as well as interactive quizzes and competitions conducted through Kahoot. The Joker symbol granted an automatic win without completing a challenge. This corner aimed to enhance language awareness through an engaging and enjoyable learning experience, while encouraging student participation and offering successful participants the opportunity to enter a daily lucky draw for a free language course provided by the Language Resource Center (LRC).

The impact of the Language Open Day goes beyond one day on the calendar. Culturally, it broadens perspectives and challenges stereotypes. Socially, it brings people together and strengthens the sense of community on campus. For many students, it is their first close encounter with cultures they may never be able to visit in person.

In this way, the LOD sends a clear message: even when travel is restricted, learning, dialogue and human connection remain possible, and languages are the bridge that makes it all happen.