The Department of World Languages and Literature at the University of Nebraska at Omaha will be hosting the annual Language Celebration for high school students on March 6, 2026.
About the Language Celebration
Information Booths
Students will learn about our programs in Spanish, Spanish for Health Sciences, French, German, Italian, and Japanese.
Topics include
- Study abroad
- Language as a double major
- Dual enrollment
Moreover, representatives from from local businesses and organizations will discuss the benefits of being bilingual and the diverse career options available. These are some of our partners who hosted informational booths in previous years:
- Omaha Fire Department
- World Speaks Omaha
- Immigrant Legal Center
- One World Omaha
Participant Levels
- Level 1: Performers are students who are in their first or second year of study of the target language.
- Level 2: Performers are students who are in their third (or higher) year of study of the target language.
- Heritage learners: Performers are students enrolled in courses designed for heritage/native speakers. Note to teachers: if your school does not offer a heritage/native speaker course, but your students are heritage/native learners, you can choose to have your students participate in the 'heritage learner' level.
Judged Events
Dance: Students may dance on their own or as a group. Students present and perform a dance that is meaningful and representative of the culture of the people(s) who speak the target language. This performance should last between 3 and 4 minutes. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the performance. The dance will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, and execution.
Musical performance: Students perform individually or in groups an instrumental piece with significant value to the target culture/language. Students bring their own instruments. If you require a keyboard, please let us know at least a week ahead of time. Performances should be about 3 to 4 minutes. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the performance. The musical perfomance will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, and execution.
Poetry Creation: Students can perform a poem of their own creation on their own or as a group. The poem speaks of the learner’s (or learners’) language learning trajectory and/or discovery of features of the target language/culture that are inspiring or interesting to them. The poem should be at least 8 lines for individuals or at least 6 lines per student for a group. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the poem. The poem will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, execution, creativity, and clarity.
Poetry Recitation: Students can perform a poem on their own or as a group. The poem is meaningful and representative of the culture(s) of the people(s) who speak the target language. The poem should be at least 12 lines for individuals or at least 6 lines per student for a group. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the poem. The poem will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, execution, and clarity.
Short film: Students prepare a 3-4 minute short film in which they showcase linguistic and cultural knowledge within an interactive exchange. On the day of the event, the film will be shown to Language Celebration attendees, however, students need to submit the link to their film on You Tube to enieto@unomaha.edu by February 27, 2026. The film will be assessed in terms of linguistic and cultural accuracy, presentation, interpretation, and artistry. Short films should include captions in the target language.
Singing: Students may sing on their own or as a group. They may sing a cappella or with accompaniment. The song that is performed should represent the culture of the people(s) who speak the target language. This performance should last between 3 and 4 minutes. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the performance. The song will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, and execution. Judges receive a copy of the song.
Skit: Students prepare a 4-6 minute skit in which they showcase linguistic and cultural knowledge within an interactive exchange. On the day of the event, students provide a copy of their skit to the judges. The skit will be assessed in terms of linguistic and cultural accuracy, presentation, interpretation, and difficulty of the skit.
Song Creation: Students can sing on their own or as a group a song that they have created themselves. They can sing a cappella or with an accompaniment. The song that is performed is congruent with the culture(s) of the target language. This performance should last between 3 and 4 minutes. Additionally, students introduce to the audience the cultural significance of the performance. The song will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, creativity, and execution. Judges receive a copy of the song.
(Physical) Poster: The poster prompt is Time Travel: Significant Events in World History. Students (individually or in group) depict and explain a historical event related to their target language in both words and images/pictures. The poster will be assessed in terms of content, quality, merit, creativity, artistry, and language use (this requires that language be present in the poster). The poster should not be larger than 18" x 22". It will be displayed flat on a wall.
Register for the Language Celebration [COMING SOON]
Students are invited to explore the foreign language programs at UNO (Spanish, Spanish for Health Sciences, French, German, Italian, and Japanese), connect with faculty and current students, and demonstrate their skills in language and cultural knowledge in various interactive events.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have created a frequently asked questions document that we continue to update with your questions and information about this event.
Language Celebration
Friday March 6, 2026 | 8:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.
Location: Milo Bail Student Center
University of Nebraska Omaha | Dodge Campus | 6001 Dodge St.
You will be dropped off by bus at the student center! Navigate towards the front of the building and proceed up the stairs to receive your schedules and descriptions of events.
Winners from the 2026 Language Celebration [COMING SOON]
Registration
Register here [COMING SOON] to attend the Language Celebration.
A $14 fee per student is required upon registration. Lunch will be provided.
Registration and payment are due by February 1, 2026.
- Payment Options:
- If you are paying by credit card, debit card, or bank account, pay here.
- If you are paying by check, please follow the directions below:
- Contact Marie Lee to arrange payment and request your invoice ASAP. Her contact info is mglee@unomaha.edu or (402) 554-4841
- Write your check to UNO World Languages and Literature. In the memo include the name of teacher and number of students you are paying for.
- Send your check to: Marie Lee World Languages and Literature 6001 Dodge Street, 301 ASH University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE 68182-0192
- Once you send the check, email Marie Lee (mglee@unomaha.edu) once you send the check.
Schedule
For additional questions about registration, please email Elena Nieto (enieto@unomaha.edu). For additioanl questions about payment, please reach out to Marie Lee (mglee@unomaha.edu).