Leeds Language Week
All Key Stages
13-17 November
Did you know that over 170 languages are spoken in Leeds?
From 13 to 17 November, we’re inviting you to take part in celebrating languages and culture in Leeds. In partnership with national and international language providers, we’re planning a range of activities for adults, children and young people to get involved in.
This includes a mass participation singalong, and workshops delivered in schools, in-person and online.
Mother Tongue Other Tongue Anthology
We're thrilled to present Mother Tongue Other Tongue, a multilingual poetry anthology by young people aged 8-18.
It's split into two sections, Mother Tongue and Other Tongue. The first half contains poems and songs in a variety of heritage languages with a commentary in English. The second half features original poems by students written in a language they are learning.
Showcase your language skills
Deadline: Fri 24 Nov
Learn a new multilingual song about Leeds, available in French, Spanish, Romanian, Polish and Urdu, using free resources and record your performance! Then send it to us to be made into a mass participation video that will premiere in December.
Ways to get involved
Here's all the exciting stuff happening during Leeds Language Week, from facilitated activities in your school to online resources, CPD opportunities, and workshops to learn about other languages and cultures.
Dual Language, Story and Rhyme
Join us across libraries in Leeds for special dual language, story and rhyme sessions as part of Leeds Language Week.
These sessions will be held in English and another language.
We will share stories and rhymes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere – come and enjoy some free multilingual fun!
Stephen Spender Poetry Translation Resources
For Leeds Language Week, the Stephen Spender Trust is developing three sets of poetry translation resources. They're for teachers who want to encourage and support young people to write creatively about their hometown in different languages. The packs will be available in Polish, Punjabi, and Urdu.
Into Film's Playlist for Modern Foreign Languages
Check out this playlist for Modern Foreign Languages, curated by Into Film! Focusing on Spanish, Mandarin, French, German, Arabic and Italian-speaking parts of the world, it's an excellent and engaging way to help pupils improve vocabulary and pronunciation as well as enhance listening skills. Available for free streaming via Into Film+.
Chinese Dance and Language Workshop
Discover Traditional Chinese Dance and Language in a free workshop for Adults (16+).
Come and explore the beauty of traditional Chinese dance and the melodious rhythms of the Chinese language. Step into a captivating world of culture, movement, and expression.
Taste of China
Discover the enchanting world of China at this free family-friendly workshop. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Explore Chinese culture through singing, calligraphy, food and language. Bring your family and friends for an immersive cultural experience.
Stories Beyond Borders - Modern Foreign Language Short Films
Leeds Young Film and Into Film present a selection of short films from around the world as part of Leeds International Film Festival and the Into Film Festival.
Including films with dialogue from France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Russia, Japan, Romania and more.
El cuento de Babel (The Tale of Babel)
Join the Instituto Cervantes Leeds to create a collaborative story where everyone can participate!
Book your place and contribute to the story in any language of your choice - the only rule is that certain words are part of your addition.
Test de Nivel (Test)
Join the Instituto Cervantes Leeds to find out your level of Spanish using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
If you want to find out where your Spanish level sits - from beginner, intermediate and proficient - this is for you!
El Placer de Aprender (The Pleasure of Learning)
Join the Instituto Cervantes Leeds for a free Spanish taster session for adults!
There are two scheduled sessions that are for beginners interested in learning a new language.
Sentidos y Sensaciones (Sense and Sensations)
Join the Instituto Cervantes Leeds for a one-hour workshop to build a mural that reflects the different perceptions that people have from the same thing.
This is an opportunity to develop your Spanish vocabulary through the senses - we will explore different object through smelling, touching and listening.
Designing CLIL Materials for A1, A2 & B1 CEFR Levels
The University of Leeds are teaming up with LEEDS 2023 to offer online Language Teacher CPD Sessions delivered by our expert academic staff at the University.
Linguistic Diversity and Accent Bias in Education and Beyond
Learn more about how you can combat social stereotypes against certain languages and accents, to provide more equal access to opportunities for your students.
Cherishing and Maintaining the Heritage Language at Home
Multilingual families are often challenged with the transmission of their heritage language to future generations. What factors determine success in childhood bilingualism?
In this online workshop we’ll try to answer this question and will give families tips and ideas on how to maintain and develop a heritage language at home.
Discover the Beauty of Portuguese
Are you ready to embark on a journey filled with culture, excitement, and the sweet sound of Portuguese? Join our FREE online Portuguese language taster session, specially designed for beginners aged 16 and above.
Get ready to experience the thrill of learning a new language!
Taster Workshops
The University of Leeds are teaming up with LEEDS 2023 to offer a package of sessions that will enhance language learning across the city during Leeds Language Week.
Sign up for fantastic language workshops delivered by our Students and Academics in local schools!
This project is now fully booked.
Creative Translation Days
The Stephen Spender Trust is offering creative translation days for 5 schools during November for Leeds Language Week! A creative translation day includes two workshops and an assembly or lunchtime talk about creative careers with languages.
This project is now fully booked.
French and Spanish Workshops
Sign up for a half-day workshop at your school with our facilitator Stéphanie, to learn French or Spanish. Choose from storytelling or playground games, and if you can’t decide, have a mixture of the two!
This project is now fully booked.
British Council LEEDS 2023 International School Partnerships with Lille
Inspire your students and celebrate the connections between Leeds and Lille with this special project that links schools in the two cities to work together.
This project is now fully booked.
Leeds Language Week - Programme Launch
Did you know that over 170 languages are spoken in Leeds? Join us the online programme launch on 26 September 2023, European Day of Languages, to learn more about the full line up of Leeds Language Week and how your school can take part.
This project is now fully booked.
Bring the World into Your Classroom
As a part of Leeds Language Week, teachers can join this online event on how the British Council can support your schools to develop international school partnerships, provide practical advice on visits and exchanges, enhance language learning through contact with native speakers as well as their resources and activities.
This project is now fully booked.
Where Will Languages Take Me?
Inspire your KS3 pupils to continue studying languages, or to choose languages as an option with our online event.
There will be 4 speakers who will each talk about their own language learning journey, with a pupil booklet to accompany the event.
This project is now fully booked.
GIMAGINE Award
The GIMAGINE Award platform is available for 30 teachers to sign up 40 students each, along with additional handouts and classroom activities.
This is a chance for pupils to not only learn beginners German, but also take part in a range of interactive modules that connect the language to globally relevant topics including sustainability, literature, politics and even emotional intelligence.
This project is now fully booked.
Credits
Leeds Language Week will be delivered in partnership with language providers including the University of Leeds, the British Council, Leeds Young Film, The Stephen Spender Trust, Goethe-Institut, Camões Centre for Portuguese Language at Leeds, Institut français du Royaume-Uni, Instituto Cervantes Leeds, Into Film, Leeds 0-19 Learning Improvement, Leeds City Council, Leeds International Film Festival, Routes Into Languages, Leeds Chinese Community School, Manchester Metropolitan University and Leeds Music Education Partnership.
