1st March marks the start of the second regional Festival of Languages – a celebration of diverse languages and cultures across the North East and our connections to the world. The month is packed full of free events and activities for schools, groups and communities, which have been provided by partners across the city, region and UK.
Click here to see What’s On and follow the links on that webpage to book now for free live events and pre-recorded workshops only available in March, or access a wide range of activities and resources available now. Follow on twitter, facebook and instagram.
Get involved in March
Participatory projects for North East schools and groups celebrating our diverse cultures and languages in ‘The Big 3’ singing, writing and drawing projects, celebrating different languages and cultures of young people in the region:
- Festival Song: I am a small part of the world. Schools and groups are invited to sing (in many languages), sign, play, perform and film their contributions of our Festival song, culminating in a compilation video performance as a highlight of the Festival.
- Mother Tongue Other Tongue: For children and 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, with certificates for all submissions.
- Languages Open Doors poster competition: For pupils aged 7-18. Join in and create a compelling poster explaining to other learners why it is important to learn another language. Certificates for all and printed versions of prize-winning entries.
Registration open now for live online and in person events in March (book early), exploring different languages and cultures, including:
- languages and careers webinar
- taster sessions for European and world languages
- languages, cultures and cuisine workshop
- Chinese language and culture activity demonstration
- communicating with non-English speakers workshop
- webinar on Arab language and culture
- French poetry event and linguistics workshop
Registration open now for pre-recorded interactive activities available 1-31 March for schools and communities to engage with and enjoy:
- GemArts world languages and culture interactive workshops (Bolivian dance, Dhol drumming and Bharatanatyam dance)
- Puppet shows – have fun learning French! (3 shows for young learners of different ages)
- Ancient Stories in Stone: Videos and resources on Latin tales and Roman lives in the North East
- Lingotot: 5 language sessions (3-11yrs) interactive workshops in French, Italian, German, Spanish and Mandarin
- Fun with Japanese interactive videos for children aged 5-11yrs
Available now: Resources accessible online anytime for schools and communities:
- How languages changed my life: A series of stories of people from here or who live here and their journeys
- Stories from Newcastle podcast on the importance of languages and the opportunities they bring
- Chinese Spring Festival, Year of the Tiger education activity pack
- El Español: lengua global (Spanish films, quiz, links and resources)
- The Secret Agent’s Languages Challenge App (ages 11-16)
- French, German and Spanish Escape Room Challenges – have you got talent? Ages 11-14
- Stories for Young Learners in French (ages 5-11)
- Wake it, shake it in Spanish – keep fit with El Calvo!
- Webinar: Warum German for KS3-5 pupils and schools
- Resources to French language and culture
- Lara’s language journey across Europe interactive booklet on different languages spoken across the continent
Why is this Festival so important?
Being able to communicate with people and understanding different cultures, traditions and perspectives, both here in the North East and across the world is vital for the future of young people in our city and everywhere. Not only for individual careers and life-changing opportunities, but to promote awareness, mutual respect and tolerance and to celebrate our diversity and differences. This Festival is one way we feel we can support that ambition and it has never been more important.
Declan Baharini, Director, International Newcastle
International Newcastle co-ordinates this regional celebration of languages and cultures, as part of our remit to promote internationalism.
This includes supporting language learning and promoting intercultural awareness and understanding, as well as opening up opportunities for international experiences and connections for children and young people (0-30) in the city, which can help them become confident, global citizens and impact on their future life choices and careers.
Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages is supported by an informal partnership of organisations and individuals who are passionate about promoting, supporting and celebrating languages and cultures. Key partners are International Newcastle, Newcastle City Council, Durham County Council (International), Durham and Newcastle Universities, the Association of Language Learning North East and British Council. You can find out more about who is involved here.
For the latest updates visit the Festival News page, or follow on twitter, facebook, instagram:
