The Department of World Languages and Literature through the University of Nebraska at Omaha will be hosting the annual Language Celebration for high school students in March 2025.
About the Language Celebration
Information Booths
Students will learn about our programs in Spanish, Spanish for Health Sciences, French, German, and coursework in 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 the 2024 Language Celebration:
- 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.
Judged Events
Skit: Students prepare an 8-10 minute skit in which they showcase linguistic and cultural knowledge within an interactive exchange. 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 length and difficulty of the skit.
Dance: 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 4 and 5 minutes. Students introduce the performance to the audience, so the audience understands the significance of the dance performance for the target culture. The dance will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, and execution.
Singing: Students can sing on their own or as a group. They can sing a cappella or with an accompaniment. The song that is performed is meaningful and representative of the culture of the people(s) who speak the target language. This performance should last between 4 and 5 minutes. Students also introduce the performance to the audience, so the audience understands the significance of the musical performance for people in the target culture. The song will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, and execution.
Singing 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 4 and 5 minutes. Students introduce the performance to the audience, so the audience understands the significance of the musical performance for those who speak the target language or for the students’ own language learning trajectory and discovery. Judges receive a copy of the song. The song will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, creativity, length and difficulty, interpretation, and execution.
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. This performance should last between 4 and 5 minutes. Students also introduce the performance to the audience, so the audience understands the significance of the poem for the target culture. The poem will be assessed in terms of cultural significance, presentation, interpretation, execution, and length and difficulty of the poem.
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. This performance should last between 4 and 5 minutes. Students also introduce the poem to the audience, so the audience understands a bit about the process that was part of the creation of the poem. The poem will be assessed in terms of content, presentation, interpretation, execution, and length and difficulty of the poem.
(Physical) Poster: The poster prompt is Words, Wonders and Wisdom: What Other Cultures Can Teach Us. The poster will be assessed in terms of content, quality, merit, and language use. The poster should not be larger than 18" x 22". It will be displayed flat on a wall.
Students are invited to explore the foreign language programs at UNO (Spanish, Spanish for Health Sciences, French, German, 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
March 14, 2025 | 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.
Registration
Register here to attend the Language Fair.
A $10 fee per student is required upon registration. Lunch will be provided.
Registration and payment are due by February 1, 2025.
- 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
The schedule for this event is TBD and will be posted on this page as the date approaches.
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).