Language Fair
High school students from across the state studying Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish have the opportunity to demonstrate acquisition of language and cultural knowledge in competitive events.
45th Annual Language Fair
Theme: "War, Peace, and Reconciliation"
Thursday, April 4, 2024
City Campus Union, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Schedule
Closing ceremonies start around 2 p.m.
Non-competitive
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Community Room
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Spanish-Latin mini dance lessons (every 1/2 hour)
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tea Tasting, Kawasaki Reading Room
9:30 a.m.
Swedish, Norwegian, Basque
10:00 a.m.
French, Russian
10:30 a.m.
Lakota, Latin
11:00 a.m.
Danish, Italian
11:30 a.m.
The vulnerability of indigenous languages
12:00 p.m.
Ramadan
12:30 p.m.
Arabic
Competitive
Dance (all languages)
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Posters
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Short films
All day in Burnett 302
Chinese
Music 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Drama 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Poetry 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
French
Music 9:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Drama 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Poetry 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
German
Music 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Poetry 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Japanese
Music 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Drama 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
Poetry 12:45 - 1:15 p.m.
Spanish
Music 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Drama 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Poetry 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Mini Lessons
As in previous years, we will have mini lessons in other languages.
Poster Session Room
A space to view student poster entries.
Community Room
Students will be able to connect with local community partners who highlight career options for those who have a major in a language.
Additional Information For Teachers
How can students prepare for each event?
- Poetry: Students can select a poem (or write their own) in their language and recite it.
- Music: students perform a song in their language (can be a group event, can have musical accompaniment or bring recording, can be an original song)
- Drama: students perform a scene from a play (group event, or solo if monologue)
- Poster: (individual) students prepare a poster in their language about a cultural topic. New this year: Two awards given: one voted “best poster” by students attending the Fair, the second winner will be selected by judges.
- Folk dancing: students (group) prepare and perform a folk dance (costumes, music, creativity welcomed)
- Film: Entries should be student-produced, in groups, with a maximum running time of 3 ½ minutes. All entries should be in the language, and have English subtitles. The winning film will be streamed at the closing ceremony! All films must be uploaded to YouTube via an unlisted link; links must be sent to modlang@unl.edu by March 28 at 5 p.m.
Student design for promotional materials:
If you have a student who would like to design artwork for our promotional materials, please submit their entries to us (via modlang@unl.edu) by February 15, 2024. The artwork should include the words “LangFair 24: Theme 'War, Peace, and Reconciliation'” and should be a .jpg or .pdf file. The winner’s piece will be featured in our promotional materials and recognized at the closing ceremony.
Support
A staff member will reach out as soon as possible during regular business hours.
Undergraduate language program information
What is Language Fair like?
Check out results and a recap from 2022.