There are a whole host of FREE world languages and cultures events in March as part of the Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages, coordinated by International Newcastle. Delivered by a range of partners across the region for schools and groups, these in-person events are designed to open up experiences and widen perspectives for children and young people, as global citizens.
Engaging, fun and interactive, they provide a window onto the world and can form part of work around global citizenship, broadening the curriculum, personal development and Schools of Sanctuary. Many take place on university campuses and some in our museums, bringing an additional benefit to children and young people and raising ambitions.
Click on the links to find out more about the events. Early booking is recommended for events in March.
4th and 6th March, Northumbria Uni and Stockton ISC
Half-day workshops for primary schools (Years 5/6) in the morning and secondary schools (KS3) in the afternoon. Find out more about the Arab world, language and culture in these fun, in-person interactive workshops with QFI and Arabic teachers.
4th March at Durham University and Oriental Museum
For Year 5 and 6 pupils in NE schools and community schools: Learn about Japan and its culture in a series of workshops including a language taster, Yukata dress, Bon-odori dancing and kintsugi ceramics.
5th March at Sans Street Centre, Sunderland
For schools, youth groups, sixth forms, colleges and universities: A showcase of Bangla poetry, music, dance and literature, an exhibition of cultural and historic objects and artworks produced by young people.
12, 13 and 14 March with Confucius Institute, Newcastle
For primary and secondary pupils in NE schools and community schools: Join in a language Mandarin taster session and a cultural workshop including Tai Chi or Kungfu, calligraphy and paper cutting.
18th March at Great North Museum, Newcastle
For schools: Take part in a carousel of language and cultural activities and a treasure hunt using the museum collections to discover new words in different languages. Bookings open next week.
ENACT Chinese language and culture workshops
22nd March at ilab, Newcastle
Join ENACT at the i:lab at Newcastle University to take part in Chinese cultural activities and learn some Chinese words, make a Chinese snack and write simple characters in Chinese calligraphy.
There are also a wide range of workshop and fun activities that can be done in schools and communities that are available to engage with throughout March (registration required for some of these and not others). They include: Indigenous African languages workshop, French puppet shows, Fun with Japanese activities and Lingotot workshops, as well as Stories for Young Learners in French, French German and Spanish Escape Room, the Secret Agents Language Challenge App and Lara’s Language Journey Across Europe interactive booklets.
In addition there are free world languages and cultures education packs available from British Council, which cover India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Arab Culture Chinese New Year and Polish language and culture.
To find out about all the FREE events, activities and resources available as part of the festival:
- Click here to find out What’s On
- Click here download the full Festival Programme
- Click here to download the Festival Poster
- Follow us on social media to find out the latest news: X (twitter), instagram and facebook
