The Festival is underway and over 25,000 children and young people are already signed up to participate in FREE enrichment activities between now and the end of March.
This is a summary list of the free events, activities and resources available for KS3-5 pupils as part of the Festival this year. Some in-person events in the programme are fully booked, but all those listed here have places available (at the time of writing) and many have unlimited participation (webinars, online and pre-recorded resources, competitions).
Please follow the links to any that your school is interested in and click on the registration links to take part.
For information, the full programme on a page is available to download here and the full KS3-5 programme here. For the latest updates, follow the Festival on social media here: X (twitter) | facebook | instagram.
Limited places left for January
- German Careers Roadshow for schools with Durham University afternoon session on 29th January
Places available for in person events in March (North East Schools)
- Teachers of Spanish Spanish Day for teachers with the Spanish Embassy 8th March at Newcastle University
- KS5 (German only) Interactive language sessions for Y12 German, French, Spanish learners 2-4pm 12th March Northumbria Uni
- KS5 Language Student Immersion with Durham University Flexible dates mid-February to mid-March (choice of languages)
- KS3-5 Language and culture taster sessions with LRC Newcastle Uni Flexible dates in March 2025 (choice of languages)
- KS3 Language treasures at Great North Museum 10am-2pm 20th (Y3-7), 24th (Y6-9) or teacher led 1-31st March
- KS3-5 Chinese documentary film screening 10am-12.30pm 21st and 28th March at Newcastle University
- KS3-5 Yorùbá language and culture workshops 2-hours 12-4pm 4, 11, 18 & 25th March with Success4All
- KS3-5 Bangla Day (Sunderland) celebrate Bangladeshi culture and heritage 11-1.30, 2-4.30 on 25th March
Special access to Spanish A Level Films – North East Schools (Teacher access from 15 Feb)
- Spanish films and teaching resources for A Level students Special access in schools in March 2025
Creative Projects January to March for North East Schools (register for resources and teaching packs)
- KS2-5 Sing, play and sign the Festival Song: What a Wonderful World 6th Jan to 24th March 2025
- KS2-5 Mother Tongue Other Tongue – poetic writing project 8th January to 24th March 2025
- KS2-5 Weaving Friendship – multilingual creative project 8th January to 21st March 2025
Languages and careers webinars for North East and UK Schools in March
If signing up for the first 3 events, you can list these on one email and register at this email address info@expressyourselfne.com with your school name and contact and the pupil numbers participating in each.
- KS3-5 Spanish language and careers webinar with Spanish Embassy Education Office 9.30-10.30am on 4th March (recording will be available) Register by emailing info@expressyourselfne.com
- Year 8-9 Modern Languages in the Working World webinar with David Binns (Sanako) 9.30-10.30am on 6th March Register by emailing info@expressyourselfne.com
- KS3-5 Languages and careers in football webinar with Pierce Kiembi, Futbol Lingo 9.30-10.30am on 12th March Register by emailing info@expressyourselfne.com
- Year 8-9 Where can languages take me? Webinar with British Council and guests 9.30-10.30am on 18th March (recording will be available) Click here to register with British Council
Special webinar for North East and UK Schools in March
- KS4-5 #LetAfghanGirlsLearn!: Webinar for 14-18 year olds on 3rd March (recording will be available) Register by emailing info@expressyourselfne.com
Pre-recorded workshop resources available for North East Schools January to March or anytime
- KS3 Exploring and celebrating indigenous African languages (5-16 years) Jan-Mar (Register)
- KS3 French, German, Spanish Escape Room Challenges (11-14 years) Available free, anytime
- KS2-5 ENACT Around the World Club package (NE schools) available anytime
UK-wide competitions and celebrations
- JaLaChamp 2025 (Japanese) Open Nov 2024 to 4th Feb (Speech) and 4th March (Video)
- Celebrate Speaking! National festival of speaking languages 1st-28th February 2025
- KS5 Joutes oratoires lycéennes French debating competition (6th form) Regional to Feb, final March
- KS2-5 French Pop Video Competition Register by 16th March and submit entries by 11th May 2025
- KS3-5 Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators Registration open, competition 3rd Feb-28th March
This project is part-funded by the North East Combined Authority
