The Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity through creative writing, and showcases the many languages spoken and learned by young people in school and at home.
This year it's back, but in a new format which embraces our new digital way of working. Whether in the classroom or at home pupils can still take part. For 2020-21 the focus is on the spoken word. We want to be able to hear your voice and fabulous language skills. So even those of you who have participated before and think you know the rules, please read on as these have been amended.
Information about the competition
The competition is split into two categories:
Mother Tongue - children and young people who do not speak English as a first language can record and submit an original poem, song or rap in their mother tongue language. In Scotland, pupils will be able to submit entries in Scots and Gaelic in this category.
Other Tongue - children and young people learning another language in school, college or university (French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin, Urdu, Gaelic and Cantonese) can record and submit an original poem, song or rap in that other tongue.
In both categories, entries can be sound files only, a performance video, or a drawing or illustration representing the entry with recorded voice over.
All entrants will complete a pro-forma in English to accompany the piece outlining the inspiration behind their submission.
Find out more about the competition timeline and requirements below.
**Please note, MTOT 2020-21 is now closed. Winning and highly commended entries from this year's competition can be seen on our MTOT Awards 2020-21 webpage.**