Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages offers with FREE events and activities for children and young people aged 3-18 running from January up to 31st March 2026.

Create your own Festival programme! Pick and mix from a range of FREE creative projects, competitions, classroom activities and live events to maximise the opportunities for children and young people (3-18) in your school or community and inspire a future generation of linguists and global citizens.

The full Festival programme is open to schools and in the North East Combined Authority Area:

• Click here to download the full programme with a summary and snapshots of all activities, as well as Festival and partner information
• Click here to download the Festival poster
• Scroll down to select events and activities by age or category, or to see all of the Festival events, activities and resources

There are a range of activities available to UK schools :

• Click here to view the UK programme online
• Click here to download the UK Schools’ Festival Programme

Schools can engage their international partners in activities and any schools internationally are welcome to join in the Together we Fly project.

Festival participation can support applications for the British Council International School Award, as well as Schools of Sanctuary work, embracing the languages, cultures and traditions of all pupils, celebrating multiculturalism and multilingualism.

Becoming a European Parliament Ambassador School – Webinar for teachers ONLINE 3.30-4.30pm on 29th January 2026

For UK secondary and college teachers: Learn about free accreditation as an Ambassador School with access to free resources and trips from the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK, plus links to a vast EU and UK schools’ network.

CPD: Spanish Teachers’ Day at Newcastle University IN PERSON on 14th March 2026

For teachers and future teachers of Spanish in the North East at all levels. A lively day of presentations and practical ideas for the Spanish language class, with a Spanish lunch.

CPD: Designing cross-curriculum tasks to build competence in languages IN PERSON at 12-3pm 16th March

For North East teachers at any level: Join expert Dr Jenny Eddy, for this CPD session supporting teachers to understand and design tasks across subject areas to support language learning.

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

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 Jan to 31st March UNLIMITED

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 Jan to 31st March 2025 UNLIMITED

North East and Tees Valley schools (ages 7-18). Children and young people share poems and drawings in their home language or write an original piece of poetry in a language they learn. Compilation in a digital anthology.

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

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 UNLIMITED

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.

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¡Cocina y Crea! Spanish Omelette Recipe Challenge (KS2-3) 6th Jan-6th February CLOSED

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 UNLIMITED

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 Jan to 6th March UNLIMITED

For NE and UK 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.

Munich Supercrew schools’ workshop and concert (KS3-5) 10.00-12.00 on 20th January FULLY BOOKED

North East and Tees Valley schools KS3-5 Join in this exciting workshop and high energy concert with Munich Supercrew, the energetic German band making learning German a blast! With teaching resources and CPD.

Becoming a European Parliament Ambassador School – Webinar for teachers 3.30-4.30pm on 29th January

For UK secondary and college teachers: Learn about free accreditation as an Ambassador School with access to free resources and trips from the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK, plus links to a vast EU and UK schools’ network.

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.

Learn Arabic with songs and games (6 sessions for 2 schools) Jan-March FULLY BOOKED

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.

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.

Asian Creative Journeys: Indian & Chinese cultural workshops Flexible Feb-March FULLY BOOKED

For North East schools KS2-5: South Asian and Chinese arts and culture workshops delivered in school by GemArts artists. Options include festivals, dance, visual arts, traditional arts and crafts.

Afro-Ecuadorian Fairytales at the Multilingual Library 1.30-2.30pm on 4th, 11th, 25th Feb, 11th Mar

For NE KS2-3 pupils: An engaging event (English/Spanish) bringing fairytales to life and learning about the importance of traditions and knowledge in different cultures. With teaching resources.

Language and culture sessions (Careers with Languages option) Flexible Feb-Mar FULLY BOOKED

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.

Modern Languages in the Working World webinar with Sanako UK 9.30-10.15am on 2nd March REGISTRATION CLOSED

NE & UK schools Y8-Y9: Join David Binns for an inspirational careers talk for students, stressing the importance of a second language skill in any chosen career and encouraging GCSE take-up.

Durham Children’s University primary webinar – Tales of Food with French 1-1.45pm on 2nd March UNLIMITED

NE primary schools (Y4-6): Children will explore literature and culture, think about food in stories, consider how the quest for food can be a journey of self-discovery and reflect on what food might mean in the world.

Spanish language and careers webinar with Spanish Embassy Education Office UNLIMITED Register for recording & worksheets

NE & UK secondary schools/6th forms (KS3-5): Inspire pupils to progress with Spanish and find out about the benefits of learning languages and the future opportunities learning Spanish brings.

The Spanish Apprentice Y10 Tourism Challenge 4th March FULLY BOOKED

NE Y10 Spanish learners: Teams of 5 pupils work with Durham University students on a Bishop Auckland tourism marketing challenge and deliver a pitch in Spanish to a judging panel.

Lingua Cub’s French Fun! 4 online sessions: 9.30-10am Weds 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th March UNLIMITED

For UK schools (ages 3-7): Join four fun-filled online French sessions with Lingua Cub’s playful activities, songs and games. Activity pack provided. Set of recordings available (end March)

Language Treasures at GNM 4th March FULLY BOOKED; self-guided available all of March

For NE schools (KS2-3): Book hands-on workshops exploring galleries through a linguistic lens and connecting across cultures or use teacher-led resourced activities throughout March.

Languages at Work webinar: Careers and language challenge 9.30-10.30am on 5th March UNLIMITED

NE and UK schools (KS3 Y8-Y9): Motivational session with professional linguists. Sharing career insights and running live language challenges in French, German and Spanish.

Lingua Cub’s Super Spanish! 4 online sessions: 9.30-10am on Fridays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th March UNLIMITED

For UK schools (ages 3-7): Join Lingua Cub for four lively online Spanish sessions. Discover Spanish with fun games, songs and interactive activities. Activity pack and recordings available

Languages and careers in football webinar with Pierce Kiembi, Futbol Lingo (KS2-5) 10.30-11.15am on 6th March UNLIMITED

NE & UK schools (KS2-5): Join Futbol Lingo’s motivational webinar, using football to inspire a generation of future linguists and open perspectives on the range of careers in football.

Wuschel online primary German sessions (KS1-2) 9.30-10.15am on 9th and 16th March UNLIMITED

For UK schools KS1-2: Join Wuschel the friendly alien for fun-filled live sessions, with catchy songs, challenges and games, linked to ‘Wuschel auf der Erde’, illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Afro-Ecuadorian Fairytales at the Multilingual Library 1.30-2.30pm on 4th, 11th, 25th Feb, 11th March

For NE KS2-3 pupils: An engaging event (English/Spanish) bringing fairytales to life and learning about the importance of traditions and knowledge in different cultures. With teaching resources.

Welcome to China events (3-18 yrs) 9.30-11.30am on 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th and 19th March

For North East schools (5-18 yrs): Join in a Mandarin taster session and cultural workshops – Tai Chi, Kungfu, calligraphy, printmaking, Chinese Tea Ceremony, lacquer fan, lantern making, paper cutting.

#LetAfghanGirlsLearn! Webinar for 11-18 year olds 12-12.45 10th March UNLIMITED

For 11-18 year olds (UK wide): Share the experiences of Afghan girls, their fight for education and what pupils in the UK can do to support them. Education pack provided.

Welcome to Japan Workshops (Y5-6) 10-12 and 1-3 11th March at Durham University

For NE schools (Y5-6): Learn about Japanese culture and language in these fun, interactive workshops with Japanese students and staff from Durham University and Teikyo University of Japan at Durham.

Mini Olympics – world sports, languages and cultures 12th March at Newcastle Uni FULLY BOOKED

For NE primary/middle schools (Y3-5): Join in the Mini Olympics! Children compete as 6 country teams, with sports and tasks linked to the history, culture and language of the country.

Bi-lingual Poetry webinar (French English) with Michaël Vidon  9.30-10.15am 12th March UNLIMITED

For UK schools KS3-5 French learners: Join Michaël for a stimulating, interactive bilingual poetry session in French and English. Teaching resources provided and recording available.

Experience Japan with The Japan Society (KS2-3) 13th March FULLY BOOKED

For North East schools (KS2-3): Pupils can join in 2-hour interactive sessions with The Japan Society. They will learn some Japanese language and take part in Japanese cultural activities.

CPD: Spanish Teachers’ Day at Newcastle University 14th March 2026

For teachers and future teachers of Spanish in the North East at all levels. A lively day of presentations and practical ideas for the Spanish language class, with a Spanish lunch.

CPD: Designing cross-curriculum tasks to build competence in languages 12-3pm 16th March

For North East teachers at any level: Join expert Dr Jenny Eddy, for this CPD session supporting teachers to understand and design tasks across subject areas to support language learning.

Durham Children’s University secondary webinar 1-1.45pm on 16th March UNLIMITED

For NE secondary schools (Y7-11): Exploring how perceptions of the body have changed since the 19th century, representations in French literature and art and topics such as war and work, sickness and health and men and women.

Ursa Lingua’s French Feast KS2 live lesson 9.30-10.15am 17th March online UNLIMITED

For UK schools KS2: Join Ursa Lingua the language bear for a fun-filled online French lesson. Children will explore French through games, challenges and feast-themed activities. With activity pack. Recording available.

Y12 French, German, Spanish interactive language activities 2-4pm on 18th March in Newcastle FULLY BOOKED

For NE schools Year 12 French, German, Spanish: Join in oral practice, listening comprehension tasks, introductory interpreting taster tasks and meet University language students sharing experiences of their year abroad. 

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

For NE schools Year 10-11 pupils: 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.

Ursa Lingua’s Spanish Surprise KS2 live lesson online 9.30-10.15am 19th March UNLIMITED

For UK schools KS2: Join Ursa Lingua the language bear for a fun-filled online Spanish lesson. Children will explore Spanish through games, challenges and feast-themed activities. With activity pack. Recording available.

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.

Yorùbá in-person cultural activity sessions 24th & 30th March FULLY BOOKED

For NE primary schools (KS2): Inspiring interactive sessions celebrating Nigerian and Yorùbá language and culture through dance, song, drumming and storytelling.

Chinese Documentary Film Screening (14-18yrs) 10am-2.30pm on 25th March

For NE schools (KS4-5): Screening of 3 Chinese documentaries, offering insights into Chinese society, education and social inequality and documentary filmmaking. With Q&A.

Bangla Day in Sunderland (KS2-5) 11-12.30 and 1.30-3pm on 25th March, SBIC

For NE schools and colleges: Activities to celebrate richness of Bangladeshi culture, heritage, traditions and language with the Bangladeshi community in Sunderland.

Where can languages take me? Careers webinar  9.00-9.45am on 26th March UNLIMITED

NE & UK schools Year 8-9: Inspire pupils to choose languages at GCSE with professionals sharing their language learning journeys, skills and how they use languages in their work.

Celebrating Bengali culture, language and heritage 26th March in Newcastle FULLY BOOKED

NE schools (KS2): Join members of Newcastle’s Bangladeshi community to experience a carousel of cultural activities celebrating Bengali culture, language and heritage.

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

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

Languages and careers in football (KS3-5) 31st March FULLY BOOKED

NE schools (KS3-5): Inspiring workshops to encourage pupils to progress with languages. Football themed motivational talk, practical and fun classroom language and footballing activities

Culture Box Asia: Indian and Chinese cultural workshops Available 6 Jan-31 March

For 7-18 year-olds in North East schools, community schools and groups. Four fun, interactive pre-recorded workshops exploring and celebrating Indian and Chinese arts, language and culture (drumming, dance, puppetry and origami).

North East language and careers videos and classroom activities Available 6 Jan-31 March

For KS2-5 pupils in North East schools: 2-5 minute videos with North East young professionals (with teacher resource pack and pupil booklets) to inspire pupils to progress with languages and understand the opportunities available when you speak more than one language.

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.

Yorùbá workshops: Language, Culture, Expression (KS2) Available 6 Jan-31 March

For NE primary schools (ages 7-11): Join in three fun pre-recorded interactive workshops with teaching resources to celebrate Nigerian and Yorùbá language and culture and children’s emotional expression with songs and stories.

Puppet shows – have fun learning French! (3 shows, 3-11 years) Available 6 Jan-31 March

For NE early years, primary (ages 3-11): 3 interactive puppet shows tailored to different ages. Children learn French words while enjoying a story told with puppets by Nathalie Paris. With teacher guide and additional resources.

Stories from around the world – Food on Film activities (ages 5-15) Available 6 Jan-31 March

NE and UK schools (ages 5-15): Access 3 short films, revealing different cultures, communities and languages whilst exploring underlying themes that unite us all through the culinary language of food. With teaching resources.

6 Primary French lessons: World Cup 2026 (Y5-6, Y7) Available 6 Jan-31 March

For NE and UK primary schools (Y5-6) and KS2-3 transition: Enthuse pupils to explore French with 6 creative lessons themed around the World Cup. Includes pre-recorded videos, powerpoint and lesson plans.

Exploring and celebrating indigenous African languages (KS1-4) Available 6 Jan-31 March

For UK schools and groups (5-16 years): Teaching resources and interactive activities to run in a classroom, youth group or community workshop introducing 4 indigenous African languages: Yoruba, Swahili, Tamazight, Xhosa

Afro-Ecuadorian Fairytales resources (English/Spanish) Available 6 Jan-31 March

For UK schools, youth and community groups: Resources in English and Spanish bringing Afro-Ecuadorian fairytales to life, learning about the importance of traditions and knowledge in different cultures.

Fun with Japanese interactive activities for children (5-11 years) Available 6 Jan-31 March

For children UK-wide (KS1-3):  A simple and fun introduction to Japanese for all pupils and community groups or families with children aged 5-11. A series of short videos online plus a calligraphy workshop.

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 7–16 in a range of languages, with English subtitles. Teacher guide provided.

Fun with Felix and Franzi (KS1-2) lessons with German Available 6 Jan-31 March

UK schools KS1-2: Puppets Felix and Franzi engage children in singing songs, completing challenges and playing games in German. With teaching resources and lessons. No knowledge of German needed.

Spanish Cinema in the Classroom (KS4-5) Available 6 January to 31 March

For KS4-5 UK schools: Teachers can access recent Spanish films for classroom screenings.  English subtitles and teaching guides provided to ensure pupils’ Spanish learning is enhanced through this engaging and motivating activity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

World Speech Day Japan 21st March 2026

All ages: World Speech Day Japan is an opportunity for young people to share their thoughts with the world in Japanese (for students learning Japanese) and in English (for Japanese students learning English).

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.

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.

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.

Association for Language Learning and ALLNE

Discover how ALL represents and supports language teachers, professional development and the development of policy. Find out about the NE Branch and the North East secondary Network. 

National Consortium for Languages Education

National programme supporting language education in England, with LEO online professional learning platform, language networks, priority projects and CPD webinars.

European Centre for Modern Languages

Classroom resources and publications in multiple languages are available free to support teachers. Available from this Council of Europe supported website.