“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.” – a Chinese Proverb
Language shapes our thinking pattern. It molds us into better people. How? Because every time you learn a new language you are given the wonderful opportunity to explore the glory of another culture.

The annual “Habla Vous Deutsch” project conducted by the International Services avenue of the Rotaract club of University of Kelaniya is the perfect gateway for those who really want to open a new window to look at the world.

“Habla vous Deutsch – 2020” focused on three languages; French, German and Spanish while allocating three days for each language. Unlike in previous years, this year we conducted all the sessions using an online platform. Language enthusiasts of all ages were invited, and as a special opportunity we were able to get native speakers for the last session of all the three languages which made our audience more excited and closer to the language.

French was taught from May 1st– 3rd, German was taught from May 4th – 7th and finally Spanish was taught from May 8th – 10th where each segment was allocated one hour. Each session conducted by undergraduates of University of Kelaniya was filled with lots of positive feedback and active participation of the audience. The clear and concise way of teaching methods of our facilitators were highly praised by the audience.

Dylan Coupa, A Cultural and Communication officer in Alliance Francaise de Kotte who is a native speaker of French, enlightened the audience with wonders of France. We were fortunate to get Viyana, a native from Austria with Sri Lankan roots, Antoine: a native speaker from Belgium and Florian Knabl from Austria who happened to be the past president of the Rotaract club Leoben D1919, Austria for our German sessions. Diego Cruz, a language teacher from Colombia, Jaume Roca from Mexico and Dr. Carlos Yebra Lopez from New York University shed some light on the Spanish language.

We would like to extend our heartiest gratitude to these native speakers and to our very own facilitators Rotaractors Punsisi Liyanage, Waruni Saranga, Ishanka Suriyaarachchi and Thusini Ratnayake for their valuable time. Also, we would like to express our gratitude to the team behind the screen for making this a success during this difficult time and to our lovely participants for their warm feedbacks.

–Rtr. Isuri Goonatilake.