Newcastle schools have been doing really well in national language competitions this year and there are more coming up in the new academic year. We encourage schools to get their pupils involved as a way to bring excitement and fun into the languages curriculum.
In June, St Teresa’s primary school in Heaton won a Coup de Coeur prize in the French Pop Video Competition with the Institut français with their song about the Tour de France.
In July, in the annual Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators run by Oxford University Translation Exchange, five students from Jesmond Park Academy won prizes for submissions in Spanish, Italian and Mandarin, Sacred Heart High school won awards in French and Spanish and Gosforth Academy won two German and six Mandarin translation awards..
There are two national and a global competition open to schools for submissions in September, October and November: European Day of Languages writing competition and Poésíæ and Poésíært, poetry recital and art competitions in September/October and the GHHQ National Language Competition in November.
Details of all three competitions are below, as well as support for language learning and teaching in Newcastle schools and the 2024 Express Yourself North East Festival of Languages, with free activities, events and resources for schools and communities across the region.
UK EDoL writing competition for schools (open until 11th October 2023)
The annual European Day of Languages writing competition run by Association of Language Learning North East and Network for Languages North East is open to learners of any language (other than English), in any key stage anywhere in the UK. This is a great opportunity to raise the profile of languages in schools and celebrate the diversity of languages and cultures.
The theme this year is ‘Treasure’ and full details, guidance and links to resources, as well as how to enter and where to send entries are provided in this document: European Day of Languages UK Schools Competition 2023
Entries must be submitted by 11th October. There are certificates for entries and prizes for winners at each Key Stage. The activity can be used as part of activities in schools.
Click here to find out more about European Day of Languages and the free resources available for everyone to have fun with languages – challenges, quizzes, competitions and other language activities, as well as posters, apps and booklets in multiple languages. These are for people of any age to get involved with, in schools, communities, groups and families.
Poésíæ and Poésíært competitions (open now, deadline 27th October)
Poésíæ and Poésíært are global competitions open to Y3 – Y13 pupils (7-18 years old). Get your pupils enthused by getting involved and get them to recite a poem in one of seven foreign languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Welsh, English as a foreign language and Japanese. It is the perfect opportunity to develop oracy skills, learn about different cultures, and develop confidence.
The accompanying art competition is a great opportunity for pupils to express their vision of the poem of their choice on paper. Activities should be run up to 20th October, with submissions of videos and art by 27th October. Click here to find out more and join in the 2023 competition. Winners announced at the end of November.
GCHQ National Language Competition 2023 (6-10 November 2023)
The annual competition from GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency, will run from Monday 6th November to Friday 10th November 2023.
Open to Year 9 pupils in England, pupils compete in teams of four and multiple teams per school are encouraged. If your school was not involved last year, please email nlc@gchq.gov.uk to register interest, using your official school email address.
Schools will be contacted by GCHQ regarding enrolment in the competition. Schools can access resource packs on the GCHQ website here.
Newcastle City of Languages support for schools
Newcastle City of Languages is a partnership approach led by International Newcastle, working with the City Council School Effectiveness team and a wide range of partners locally, regionally and nationally to support language teaching, learning, take up and progression in Newcastle. Click here to find out more about the support available for teachers and schools in Newcastle.
Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages 2024
521 schools and 21,532 children and young people participated in our 2023 Festival from January to March. We will be launching the 2024 programme by the end of the year and sharing this with schools across the region. There will be large scale creative projects for 7-18 year olds running from January, with free events, activities and resources available in the Festival month of March 2024.