This year, children and young people have the opportunity to get creative and get involved in three competitions developed by local and national partners especially for the Festival. Teachers can register for the competitions and will receive a resource pack with everything they need to support pupils to get involved. These are a wonderful way to enliven the language classroom, as well as linking across curriculum subjects – from food technology, to geography, design and history.
Click on the images to find out more and get involved.
¡Cocina y Crea! Spanish Omelette Recipe Challenge (KS2-3) 6th Jan-6th February
For NE schools (KS2-3): Pupils design a Spanish Omelette and describe it in Spanish. Resource pack provided. Two school winners attend an awards ceremony on 9th March at Northumbria University.
La Petite Crêperie North East Schools’ Competition (KS2-3) 6th Jan-6th March
For NE schools (KS2-3): Join in this competition to design a unique crêpe and describe it in French. Resource pack provided. Two schools will win an in-person workshop with La Petite Crêperie.
Karneval Mask Competition for NE/UK schools (KS2-4) 6th January to 6th March
For NE schools (KS2-4): Pupils will celebrate Germany’s most colourful and joyful festival and design their own Karneval mask. Resources provided. NE/UK winners in each key stage.
There are also a range of national celebrations and competitions available during the Festival period.
German Week 19-24 January UK primary and secondary schools
UK schools can take part in a week long celebration of German language and culture. Age-appropriate resources, events and activities available to registered primary and secondary schools.
JaLaChamp 2026 (Japanese) Open Nov 2025 to March 2026
For UK primary and secondary learners of Japanese. The 2026 theme is ‘My favourite sandwiches’. Speech and video categories. Finals day on 20th June in London. Guidance and downloads.
French Pop Video Competition 2026 (deadline May 2026)
Open to UK schools with three age categories (7-11, 12-15, 16-18). Schools register Feb/March and submit videos of original songs in French by May, with Award Ceremony in London in June.
Celebrate Speaking! UK schools 1st-28th February 2025
UK schools: Practice and celebrate a language your students learn or use in their community and take part in the virtual festival of speaking in by sharing performances online.
Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators (deadline 27 Mar)
UK schools register to access creative translation teaching resources in French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish. Competition tasks released 2 Feb, deadline 27 Mar.
Joutes oratoires lycéennes (6th forms) Regional Feb, final March
UK 6th forms: French debating competition around current topics, building confidence and critical thinking. Regional heats to February and Final in London on 24th March with prizes.
World Children’s Haiku Contest UK-wide, submissions by 28 Feb
For under 15 year-olds: Compose your own haiku with accompanying artwork by 28th February for a chance to win prizes. Individual and school entries welcome.
Multilingual Verses Entries open with various deadlines to 2027
UK schools: Share your children’s multilingual texts, verses and nursery rhymes and encourage family involvement and intergenerational learning. Entries and resources are shared.
The Festival is part-funded by the North East Combined Authority
