Celebrating the diversity of languages and cultures and our connections to the world has never been more important and we encourage people to get involved in the Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages this month. The Festival has lots of free live events, activities and resources for schools, communities and groups to get involved in for the whole month, but booking is required for the live events and some recorded activities.
Check the What’s On page to see what’s on offer and get celebrating!
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. Open to 31st March.
- 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. Open to 25th March.
- 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. Open to 31st March.
Register now for live online and in person events in March (book early). Places are still available for these events exploring different languages and cultures:
- Schools languages and careers webinar (Yrs 8-9, 1-2pm on 8th March online)
- Language taster sessions for European and world languages (various times in March – bookings required, European, world languages and British Sign Language)
- Portguese Family Quiz (4-5.30pm 9th March online)
- Workshop for French teachers on resources (5.30-8pm on 9th March)
- Chinese language and culture activity demonstration (10-12 on 16th March online)
- Communicating with non-English speakers workshop (4-4.30pm on 16th March online)
- Vive la Francophonie quiz for schools and French learners and speakers (20-25th March online, register by 18th March)
- Schools webinar on Arab language and culture for ages 12-16 (1-2pm on 30th March online)
- French and spanish A level linguistics workshop (4-5.30pm on 31st March)
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 abou the languages, life choices, opportunities and careers
- Stories from Newcastle podcast on the importance of languages and the opportunities they bring for people’s lives and careers
- 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
- Make a rainbow in 4 languages for primary age children
About the Festival and our role
International Newcastle hosts and co-ordinates this now annual Festival of languages and cultures. It involves a wide partnership of local, regional and national organisations providing activities and resources for free for schools, groups and communities.
International Newcastle is committed to promoting language learning and supporting language teaching, as well as creating opportunities for celebrating home languages and raising intercultural awareness as part of the Our Newcastle Our World plan and our priorities to support children and young people to become active, confident, global citizens.
Languages and intercultural awareness, international experiences and connections are vital for young people to gain confidence and be able to make positive life choices and achieve their aspirations for their lives and careers.
We believe this Festival helps give a focus on the many ways people can engage with languages and cultures and we hope will inspire people to take up or continue learning language and developing a greater appreciation of other cultures in the region and across the world.