International Newcastle is delighted to be co-ordinating this regional festival and we encourage schools, groups and communities to get involved through February and into the Festival month in March.
Express Yourself North East Festival of Languages is a celebration of the diverse languages, cultures and communities in the North East and our connections with the world. There are lots of free activities, events and resources for schools and communities to get involved with from February and throughout the Festival in March. Click here for the full What’s On programme and see below for more information.
Follow the Festival on twitter @EYFOLNE, facebook and instagram /eyfolne
Open now – February to March
We’d like as many schools and groups as possible to get involved in our Big 3 projects, which are open now for participation and celebrating different languages and cultures across the region:
Festival Song – I am a small part of the world (open now and up to 15th March). Schools and groups are invited to sing, sign, play, perform and film their contributions of our Festival song, culminating in a compilation video – a centrepiece of the Festival.
Mother Tongue Other Tongue (open now up to 25 March). For children & young people aged 7-18 in North East schools and community schools. Writing and sharing poetry in their first/home languages or a language they are learning. Certificates for all.
Languages Open Doors poster competition (open now up to 31 March). For pupils aged 7-18 to create a compelling poster, which explains to other learners why it is important to learn another language. Certificates for all and printed versions of prize winning entries
Open now for registrations – activities in March
Book early for a range of live online and in person events, as well as activities that are pre-recorded and available in March.
Live online and in person events for schools and communities in March, exploring different languages and cultures: language taster sessions, cooking and craft demonstrations, webinars for schools (Arab world and languages and careers). Registration open now.
Pre-recorded interactive activities and workshops in March for schools and communities to engage with and enjoy including 3 GemArts world languages and culture workshops, 3 French puppet shows, Roman heritage and latin activities, 5 Lingotot sessions and a Japanese taster session, both for young learners. Registration open now.
Other things to watch, listen to and do
We are sharing resources accessible online anytime for schools and communities, including a podcast about where languages can take you, films, webinars, activity and education packs and language challenge apps and games.
Other activities in March offered by partners
Our partners at Tyneside Cinema and GemArts are offering activities in person in March. Click on the images to find out more:
10am-2pm, 9th March
10am-2.45pm, 16th March
12-4pm, Saturday 19th March
National competitions open now
Our partners at British Council, Japan Society and JAL Foundation and Institut Français are running competitions and celebration events now, for UK schools and groups. Click on the images to find out more.
1st-28th February 2022
Open until 28th February
Open until 15th April