Arabic resources, events and activities

Learn Arabic with songs and games (6 sessions for 2 schools) January to March

For 2 North East Primary Schools (30 children each): Six sessions delivered in school over 6 weeks with Arabic teachers, helping children to learn Arabic through songs and games.

Welcome to the Arab World workshops (Y5-8) 9.30-12, 12.30-3pm on 23rd March, Newcastle

NE schools (Years 5-6) Children will learn about the Arab world, culture and traditions, practice some Arabic language and try Arabic calligraphy in these fun, in-person interactive workshops.

Sing, sign and play the Festival Song: Love is the Only River 6th January to 31st March

North East schools and groups (ages 7-18) are invited to sign, sign, play, perform and film different language versions of the song: ‘Love is the only river’. Compilation video of performances will be shared.

Together we fly! World Friendship origami project 6th January to 31st March

North East schools, community schools, schools internationally (ages 5-18). Children and young people will create colourful origami butterflies with messages of friendship and be part of our public art exhibition.

Mother Tongue Other Tongue poetic writing project 6th January to 31st March 2025

Children and young people (ages 7-18) in NE schools/community schools are invited to share poems in their home language or write an original piece of poetry in a language they are learning. Compilation in a digital anthology.

Language Calligrams Celebration and workshop activity 6th January to 31st March

NE schools (7-9 and 9-11 year olds): Create calligrams in any language (other than English) based on words children already know. School certificates for all and ebook with selected entries.

World Recipe Book: exploring food and cultural heritage 6th Jan to 31st March

NE schools, youth and community groups: Share recipes in languages (other than English) and why these are important to different cultures. Digital recipe book will include selected entries.

Love Your Language Party at West End Library, Newcastle 11.00-12.30 on Monday 16th February

For families with children (5-12, all welcome): Join in multilingual storytime, share stories, play games and enjoy arts and craft activities to celebrate International Mother Language Day.

Love Your Language Day at Newcastle City Library 11.00-12.00 on Saturday 21st February

For families with children (5-12, all welcome): Join in multilingual storytime, share stories, play games and enjoy arts and craft activities to celebrate International Mother Language Day.

Language Student Immersion at Durham University (KS5) Flexible dates 12th January to 6th March

For North East KS5 language learners: Half-day programmes for 2 pupils per visit, who will meet language students and do task-based activities in languages they study or take at degree level.

Language and culture sessions (Careers with Languages option) Flexible dates Feb-March

For NE KS2-KS5 pupils (7-18): 30-45 min online or 2-hour in-person sessions (with an option for a Careers with Languages session) at Newcastle University Language Resource Centre

Primary school games & stories at the Multilingual Library  Flexible bookings in March

For North East primary schools: Children will enjoy a library tour, games, quizzes and stories using our many books and celebrate diverse cultures and languages around the world.

Creative multilingualism (KS4) 12.30-3pm on 19th March at Newcastle University

For NE schools (Year 10-11): An interactive workshop for pupils using languages they speak (to whatever level) to gain confidence in expressing multilingualism creatively, with translation, creative writing and language-learning.

Multilingual Poetry Slam (KS3-5) 9.30am-3pm on 27th March at Newcastle Civic Centre

NE schools (KS3-5): Join Michaël Vidon and his team of Spoken Word Artists to experience a day of multilingual poetry.  Pupils will create and perform group poems in multiple languages.

Ursa Lingua’s Castle Quest Escape Room Adventure Available 6 Jan-31 Mar

For KS2 7-11 years, UK schools: Help polar bear, Ursa Lingua, escape the castle using the power of languages and the magic of teamwork! An exciting language adventure with interactive resources.

Multilingual Me: Exploring and celebrating languages in pupils’ lives (KS2) 6 Jan-31 March

For UK primary schools (KS2): Lesson and materials to help pupils’ explore languages, celebrate linguistic diversity and learn about multilingualism and migration in the context of their classroom and community.

Multilingual digital stories -5 films made by children Available 6 Jan-31 March

For UK primary, secondary, community schools & groups:  Share short multilingual digital stories created by children and young people aged 7–14 in a range of languages, with English subtitles. Teacher guide provided.

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.

ENACT Around the World Club packs

UK and worldwide schools can set up their own Around the World Clubs with free resources, Children and young people can learn about different languages and cultures, while doing hands-on activities.

Around the World Education Packs from British Council

Explore a selection of British Council’s Education Packs with specially designed lessons and resources for schools linked to different countries and cultures across the world.

British Council languages support for schools

Access a wide range of language resources designed to help introduce and support language learning and teaching, as well as support for international links and the International School Award.

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.

QFI provides teachers, schools, administrators, and universities with resources and support to make the teaching and learning of Arabic as accessible and professional as other world languages. Based in Washington, DC, QFI has been advancing Arabic education for over 15 years, with a mission of advancing the value of teaching and learning Arabic as a global language through a wide range of free resources, professional development opportunities, and classroom support tools.

• Click here for free downloadable infographics that can be printed. Topics include Arabic Letters and Sounds, Non Verbal Communication in the Arab World, Arabic in the Soccer Stadium, History of the Arabic Alphabet, Arabic Calligraphy and many more.
• Click here for Tilemaker, introducing the fundamental concepts of Islamic art and architecture through the exploration and creation of mosaic tile art.
• Click here for the All Things Arabic podcast, supporting Arabic language education.
• Click here for more information about the range of support available for Teacher Professional Development.
• Click here to find out about grants available from QFI for teachers, schools, organisations and students.
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