The Nebraska Union was packed April 10 with about 1,300 visiting students — but the usual patrons of the union didn’t just see new faces, they were also hearing a mix of conversations in 12 different languages. The visitors were participating in the 38th annual Modern Language Fair.

With competitive events in Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese and Russian and additional non-competitive events in six other languages, slices of cultures from around the world were on display. Students attending the fair represented 42 Nebraska schools and competed in poetry readings, dramatic interpretations, musical numbers and dance.

Non-competitive activities taught language, culture and folk dances. UNL professors were also on hand to converse with students in their chosen language, which is a benefit of bring students to the fair, said Claudia Stacchini, a French teacher at Lincoln Northeast High School.

“It’s good practice to work with others, besides me, on their French skills,” she said.

Stacchini said the various activities, both competitive and non-competitive, are a benefit to the students that she can’t provide in her classroom.

“This is an opportunity to experience different aspects of French culture, in person,” she said. “I can talk about things in class, but the students don’t really get a chance to experience it until they get here.”

Shannon Parry, assistant to the chair in the Department of Modern Languages and event organizer, sought to encourage more participation from students by adding more non-competitive events and pushing the fair into the realm of social media. Twitter lit up throughout the day with hashtag references to #langfair14, as students clamored to tweet about the fair in the hopes of winning free swag. Parry said students began tweeting during opening ceremonies and continued throughout the day.

Sarah Endacott, a junior at Lincoln Pius X High School, was preparing to recite a poem about Panama in Spanish. While nervous, she said the experience was great.

“I thought it would be fun to do something completely out of my comfort zone,” she said. “We’re immersing ourselves in everything today. I really want to come back next year. So far, I’m having a really great time.”

Parry said the 1,300 students was a record for the fair. Leading up to its 40th year, Parry said plans are to work in more activities, especially non-competitive events, to attract more students.

But during this year’s event, she was focusing on the sights and sounds as students walked past in costume, laughing and having a good time.

“I’m so passionate about this event because of what it does for the students and I think anyone who is here, participating or observing, is going to feel that way, too,” she said.