Celebrating Languages
12 September 2024 (ALL)
ALLNE, NfLNE and partners are once again organising an annual European Day of Languages writing competition for Schools, and in 2024 it is once more open to the whole country!
The organising committee invites language learners in any key stage to create a piece of text in a language they are learning on the theme: Together.
The intention is that this might form an activity in your school around the European Day of Languages itself (26 September), so the deadline for submission of entries will be Wednesday 9 October 2024.
Visit the ALL website for more information.
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10 September 2024 (GCHQ)
The 2024 GCHQ National Language Competition will run from Monday 18 November - Friday 22 November.
The National Language Competition (NLC) is a virtual competition where teams from around the UK compete against each other to solve language-based puzzles and score points. The overall winners are then invited to GCHQ’s headquarters in Cheltenham to receive their trophy!
The competition aims to inspire language learning by encouraging secondary BGE students to discover their aptitude for learning languages.
Visit the GCHQ National Language Competition website for more information, to register interest and try out some sample puzzles!
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5 September 2024 (FilmG)
The annual FilmG competition is now open!
With two distinct competitionss for Under-18s and Over-18s, participants are challenged to create Gaelic-language films under five minutes in length.
In a change to previous formats, filmmakers are no longer being asked to create a film based on a theme – entries are instead open to the creative license of any subject.
Visit the FilmG website for full details and submit entries by 9 December 2024.
Read more...
26 August 2024 (The National)
Broadcaster Billy Kay, poet Len Pennie, and a Robert Burns Museum have all been nominated for a prestigious Scots Language Award.
The beloved museum has been nominated for Scots Cultural Project of the Year, while Kay and Pennie have picked up nomination for their books at the Scots Language Awards 2024.
The ceremony will take place on September 14 in Cumnock Town Hall in Ayrshire, the birthplace of the Bard himself.
The Scots Language Awards were founded in 2019 to celebrate the Scots leid, one of the country's three indigenous languages, and those who help to champion its continued use in daily life.
There are 12 awards at the ceremony and over 50 nominees from individuals to organisations and cultural initiatives.
Voting is open until Sunday 8 September.
Read more...
23 August 2024 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. It aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. What is your school doing in 2024?
If you're looking for inspiration, SCILT has compiled lots of ideas for primary, secondary and parents & families on our EDL webpage. What about creating a language portrait, designing a treasure hunt or hosting a multilingual film night? You will also find links to competitions, blogs and websites with a huge range of celebration ideas and activities.
Let us know how you celebrate and we'll include you in our EDL 2024 blog. Upload a short description and some colourful photos or email scilt@strath.ac.uk.
If you're sharing your celebrations on X, tag @scottishcilt and use the hashtag #coeEDL to share your celebrations with schools across Europe!
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Teaching,
Linguistic Diversity,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
19 August 2024 (ECML)
Celebrated each year on 26 September, the European Day of Languages (EDL) is a means of promoting awareness among the general public of the importance of language learning and protecting the linguistic heritage. With less than 6 weeks to go until EDL, we are excited to inform you about the developments for this year’s edition.
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Babel Young Writers' Competition
8 August 2024 (Babel: The Language Magazine)
Calling all young language lovers! Get published in Babel No 50 (Spring 2025) and win a year's subscription!
Topic: your own original discussion of any linguistic topic, written in an accessible and interesting style
Word count: 2,000-2,500 words
Format: Word file
Deadline: Monday 16 December 2024
Submission: babelthelanguagemagazine@gmail.com
Any questions email as above.
22 July 2024 (The National)
The Scottish public are being called on to nominate their Scots language heroes ahead of a national awards ceremony.
Arts organisation Hands Up For Trad is calling on people to put forward their Scots language champions for national recognition as nominations for the Scots Language Awards are now open.
The ceremony celebrates Scots in daily life, education, business arts and culture and will take place in Cumnock Town Hall on September 14 as the awards travel to Ayrshire for the first time.
Nominations are open until Sunday 4 August.
Read more...
European Day of Languages - Save the date!
20 June 2024 (Institut français)
On Friday 27 September the Institut français d’Ecosse, together with European consulates and cultural organisations, will be celebrating European Day for Languages in Edinburgh with morning activities aimed at S2 and S3 pupils and two conferences in the afternoon. One of the conferences will focus on how European writers foster creativity and ‘out of the box’ thinking style through language and the other on multilingualism and creativity. They will be followed by a cocktail.
Watch this space for further information to come late August!
You can also contact Charlotte Hyvernaud, Education attachée, Institut français d’Ecosse : charlotte.hyvernaud@institut-francais.org.uk
20 June 2024 (Institut français)
The 'Concours de la francophonie' : an annual rendez-vous for schools!
The 'Concours de la francophonie' is organised every year by the Institut français d’Ecosse since its creation in 2016.
For the 2025 edition, there will be two competitions:
- One for primary school pupils
- One for secondary school pupils
For the first time the competition associates the Institut français d’Ecosse with the French Film Festival UK Learning Programme (FFF UK).
All primary and secondary schools in Scotland offering French and participating in the French Film Festival UK Learning Programme will be eligible to enter the 'Concours de la francophonie', in line with the rules. Submission deadline: 15 January 2025.
Visit the 'Concours de la francophonie' website for full details.
Read more...
13 June 2024 (The Herald)
An awards ceremony celebrating the indigenous Scots Language will return this year for it’s fifth outing.
The Scots Language Awards 2024, organised by Hands up for Trad, launches today on the Scottish Poetry Library’s ‘Gie’s a Scots Poem Day’, in a bid to highlight the importance of the Scots language in daily life, education, business, arts, and culture.
For the first time, the awards ceremony will be hosted in Ayrshire at Cumnock Town Hall on Saturday 14 September, with the opportunity to nominate an individual or organisation available next month.
Celebrating figures who champion the Scots language, categories at the sixth annual Scots Language Awards will include Scots Business of the Year, Scots Writer of the Year, Scots Teacher of the Year and the widely regarded Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award.
As one of Scotland’s three indigenous languages, organisers say Scots is a growing tongue. The latest census saw the number of people in Scotland with some skills in Scots increase to over 46 per cent, with speakers spanning several dialects, including Doric, and stretching across regions from the Borders to Orkney.
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28 May 2024 (DAAD/ILCS)
The deadline for entries to the DAAD/ILCS German Language Competition 2024 has been extended! All levels of German learners in the UK can take part, use their written German skills and have the chance to win some exciting prizes by putting together the front page of a fictional newspaper in the German-speaking world.
More information and submission details can be found on the competition website. Submission deadline: EXTENDED TO 20 JUNE.
Read more...
24 May 2024 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!
Read about SCILT's work to support language learning and teaching, including our language initiatives and research-informed practice. Find out how Languages Week Scotland 2024 was celebrated across the country and hear about the latest inspiring activities from local authorities. There is also an opportunity to read about the work of our partners in supporting and promoting language learning in Scotland.
If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition of the newsletter you can read the submission guidelines on our website, and email your entries to SCILT.
Read more...
19 May 2024 (BBC News)
A group of young people from Ukraine have battled power cuts and internet blackouts to share their stories of living through the war there... Five Ukrainian poets, including one living in Russian-occupied Ukraine, and five translation students worked through adverse conditions to create a collection of poems now published in Scotland.
Read more...
15 May 2024 (The Gazette)
Pupils at a Paisley school have been commended for their "attitude to modern languages" after coming runners up in a national competition. Seven youngsters from S4 and S5 at Mary Russell School helped secure the position after their teacher, Laura Muir, signed them up to compete in a national French competition with the Institut Francais in Edinburgh. The education hub, for people with additional support needs (ASN), discovered that many pupils were fond of learning a new language.
Read more...
'Chinese Bridge' Mandarin Speaking Competition for UK Schools Final 2024
14 May 2024 (CISS)
A massive congratulations goes to our 23/24 Discovering China National 5 students Mari-Lwenn Manach and Seun Ajide who achieved great success in the 2024 'Chinese Bridge' Mandarin Speaking Competition for UK Schools final in London.
Mari-Lwenn and Seun are both from Cults Academy in Aberdeen City Council. Mari-Lwenn won 3rd place in the Beginner Category and Seun won 3rd place at Beginner Plus Category, competing against pupils from across the UK. They both joined us last June and learned Mandarin online with us from scratch. We are very proud of their success and hard work throughout the year.
What an amazing achievement at a national level. Well done to both Mari-Lwenn and Seun!
7 May 2024 (Scottish Book Trust)
Get ready for Bookbug Says Hello! Bookbug Week takes place from 13–19 May and this year celebrates all the different languages spoken by families across Scotland.
Visit the Bookbug Week website to discover events, activities and resources to help celebrate!
Read more...
25 April 2024 (SCILT)
We are pleased to announce that the winning and highly commended entries from this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition are now available to view on the SCILT website. As it was the 10th anniversary year since the start of the competition in Scotland, you can also see a short video homage to MTOT over that time.
A massive thank you once again to all the pupils and teachers who participated this year and those who've supported the event previously.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Linguistic Diversity,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
23 April 2024 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize is the leading annual prize for poetry in translation, with categories for pupils, teachers and individual young people in the UK and Ireland, as well as an Open category for adults from all over the world. The rules are simple: translate into English any poem from any language – from French to Farsi, from Spanish to Somali – and win publication and cash prizes! There's also a Spotlight Prize category which this year celebrates the Portuguese language.
The 2024 prize opens on 1 May, but teachers can register to involve their students now. Visit the Stephen Spender Prize website for more information.
Read more...
Celebrating the learning of Mandarin within Scottish schools
16 April 2024 (SCEN)
SCEN are keen to showcase and promote the learning of Mandarin within schools in Scotland. You are invited to create a short (around five minutes) video to celebrate the learning of Mandarin in your school.
Take a look at the video produced by Boroughmuir High School (and associated primaries) in Edinburgh sharing their thoughts as they continue their Mandarin journey.
Submissions will be promoted and shared on the SCEN website.
For further information, advice and support about making a short film in your school please contact youthvoice@scen.info.
16 April 2024 (b small publishing)
The b small Young Language Learner Award invites children aged 6-11 to send in a story or comic written in a language of their choice, other than a mother tongue, with the chance of winning up to 10 books of their choice from the b small publishing website. The theme to write about this year is 'Team Spirit.'
Visit the b small website for more information and to register to receive the free entry pack.
Read more...
11 April 2024 (SCILT)
We’re delighted to announce the winners of our recent poster competition for school-aged learners of Italian of any level (including those with no prior learning). The prompt was ‘Cosa significa L’Italia per me’ – what Italy means to me – and we asked learners to include as much Italian language as they were able to. We received some fantastic entries across the four different age categories, and the S1-S3 category was especially popular, so we decided to feature some specially commended entries too. A big thanks to everyone who created a poster for the competition, and to their teachers who sent in all the entries!
Read more...
11 April 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Gimagine Award for young learners (aged 14-18) is finally here! Become one of the first classgroups to enrol in this new online programme to engage your students through fun German videos and bite-sized exercises. Enter your classgroup in the First Finisher’s Competition for a chance to win an invitation to the Sommerfest der deutschen Sprachen on 1 July, hosted by the German Embassy in London! Travel costs will be covered. Submission deadline is 9 June 2024. Please note only state schools are eligible for participation.
Visit the Goethe-Institut Gimagine Award website for more information.
Read more...
28 March 2024 (DAAD/ILCS)
The DAAD/ILCS German Language Competition 2024 is now live! All levels of German learners are invited to take part, use their written German skills and have the chance to win some exciting prizes.
GLC 2024:
This year, the competition takes newspapers as its theme. Entrants are asked to put together the front page of a fictional newspaper in the German-speaking world. The catch: they are writing the final edition of 2024 and must select the most important stories of a year that has not yet finished.
Who knows what the year might bring? How is our understanding of events influenced by the way they are reported? By writing two or three short articles from different categories, participants have complete freedom to imagine how the year might unfold and bring their unique voice and perspective to the reporting. It allows entrants to explore the world of news and German-language media and play with different writing styles.
All winners will be invited to a journalism workshop and prize ceremony in London, with an overnight stay for those coming from outside of London! This will take place in October 2024.
Teaching materials:
We would especially like to draw your attention to the teaching and learning material which we have prepared to accompany the competition this year. A workbook can be found on our website with exercises on topics related to journalism for students at all levels, and which can be used both for classwork and individually. There is also a separate document which compiles background information on the press in Germany, a useful newspaper glossary, German media resources for learners to explore and further teaching materials designed by German organisations explicitly for use in schools!
How to enter:
You can find all information about the competition including the brief, instructions on how to take part and the teaching and learning material on the DAAD/ILCS German Language Competition 2024 website.
The closing date for entries to the competition is 6 June 2024.
Read more...
21 March 2024 (Consejería de Educación)
Do you have a student currently enrolled in A-level / Advanced Higher Spanish with a brilliant academic record? You can nominate them for the 11th call for “Best Spanish Student Award in the United Kingdom" in collaboration with Junta de Castilla y León. The prize consists of a 3-day stay in Spain for two people.
Deadline for nominations: 5 May 2024.
Visit the Spanish Embassy Education Office website for more information.
Read more...
1 March 2024 (Institut français)
March is the month of la Francophonie celebrating the French language and diverse Francophone cultures worldwide.
In the UK the "Grand Quiz de la Francophonie” is back with a special focus on Canada.
Register to receive the quiz on 16 March and try to win exciting prizes!
Read more...
28 February 2024 (Yahoo News)
Organisers of Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2024 have shared their pride after "multiple generations from across the globe" took part in events to celebrate Gaelic.
Returning for its third edition, the global event took place from 19-25 February with over 170 events across Scotland.
New York, Nova Scotia and London, were among the 100 international locations reached during Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2024 - which united Gaelic speakers around the theme of Do Chànan. Do Chothrom. which translates to Your Language. Your Opportunity.
Read more...
Mother Tongue Other Tongue 2023-24 winners announced!
23 February 2024 (SCILT)
It gave us great pleasure to welcome pupils, teachers and special guests to our online 10th anniversary Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition awards on 21 February. The date chosen for the event was significant being International Mother Language Day, a day to celebrate all world languages. We were delighted to announce the following winners and highly commended entries in each category:
Mother Tongue
P1-P4
- Yuexin Li, St Martin's Primary (Winner)
- Taras Sukhodolskyi, West Primary (Highly Commended)
- Vova Abramov, West Primary (Highly Commended)
P5-P7
- Timothy Ishie, St James' Primary (Winner)
- Artem Bonardchuk, St John Ogilvie Primary ((Highly Commended)
- Chizara, Rua, Godwin & Mariama, St Maria Goretti Primary (Highly Commended)
- Hasnain Ali Shah, West Primary (Highly Commended)
- Kate Kaludova, West Primary (Highly Commended)
S1-S3
- Lavina Tsang, Craigmount High School (Winner)
- Alexia Rigg, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
- Ewen Darroch, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
- Jenny, Gemma, Sophie, Tess, Asra & Emma, Craigmount High School (Highly Commended)
- Mairi Stephen, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
S4-S6
- Nova Senkowska, Mearns Castle High School (Winner)
- Anotidaishe Mugwagwa, Kirkintilloch High School (Highly Commended)
Other Tongue
P1-P4
- Naomi & Caellum, Bunessan Primary (Winner)
- P4 Class, The Glasgow Academy Newlands & MIlngavie (Highly Commended)
P5-P7
- Alasdair MacDonald, Salen Primary (Winner)
- Lauren Stewart, Goodlyburn Primary (Highly Commended)
- Lilia Fournier, George Watson's College (Highly Commended)
S1-S3
- Amelia Armstrong, Kirkintilloch High School (Winner)
- Emma Pacci, Bearsden Academy (Highly Commended)
- Harrison Williams, Craigmount High School (Highly Commended)
S4-S6
- Natasha Dickson, Kirkintilloch High School (Winner)
- Abby Leitch, Graeme High School (Highly Commended)
- Katie MacNeil, Kirkintilloch High School (Highly Commended)
All our finalists will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also receive a trophy and be offered the chance for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward.
This year we were also delighted to host a special strand of the competition focusing on Spanish entries. The winning entries in this category were:
- Emma Llovera Meneses - Kirklandneuk Primary
- Axel Llovera Meneses - Kirklandneuk Primary
- The Language Ambassadors (Araav, Vihaan, Grace, Marc, Alexander, Poppy, Anaya & Maya) - The Glasgow Academy
- Spanish Club (Brooklyn, Bion, Rishi & Tobi) – Craigmount High School
Teachers with students who entered in this category will be contacted separately regarding their awards which are kindly sponsored by the Instituto Cervantes in Manchester.
It is our intention to host each of the finalists’ poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available to view.
Congratulations again to all our finalists and a big thank you for supporting the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition!
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
23 February 2024 (Greenock Telegraph)
A bunch of rookie movie makers have made the cut by reaching the final of a national film competition.
Pupils at Clydeview Academy created their own storyboard to enter a filmmaking contest run by The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET).
The project is entitled Our World and aims to encourage global citizenship, language learning and uptake among pupils.
Language teacher Vanessa Hall, who runs the club with colleague Lucy McCue, said: "It started in August, we were trying to widen pupils' use of language and making a film makes it more fun.
"The storyboard was based on the UN's sustainable goals and the pupils used two languages, Ukrainian and French.
"The theme is based on World Peace and is entitled Open Your Eyes."
Read more...
22 February 2024 (University of Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators is run by Queen's Translation Exchange, University of Oxford. The competition is free to enter and aims to promote language learning across the UK and inspire creativity in the modern languages classroom.
- For students of French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish in KS3-5.
- In addition to the competition task, teachers receive up to 15 sets of resources for each language on translating poetry, fiction, non-fiction for use in the build-up to the competition.
- Deadline for competition entries: 28 March 2024.
- Winners selected for 10 geographical areas. National winners selected for each level in each language. All winners and commendations announced on our webpage.
- Last year over 14,000 pupils across the UK took part and the feedback from teachers was enormously positive.
- Teachers can register to receive classroom resources and competition tasks on the Anthea Bell Prize website.
For more information visit the website or contact: translation.exchange@queens.ox.ac.uk.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
20 February 2024 (Institut français)
The French Pop Video Competition is a national competition organised by Francophonie UK supported by TV5Monde for all primary and secondary students of French in the UK.
Students get to engage with French in a creative and fun way, improving writing skills and vocabulary by creating their own lyrics and practising speaking skills by performing and recording their song/rap.
Visit the Institut français website to learn more and register to take part in the competition by 10 March 2024. The deadline for entries is 1 May 2024.
Read more...
15 February 2024 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools is delighted to collaborate with The Eric Liddell Community to launch a poster competition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell's legendary win at the 1924 Paris Olympics!
The competition is open to all primary schools in Scotland. The deadline for entries is Friday 8 March 2024.
Further details and the submission link can be found on the CISS website or see the attached flyer. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.
To find out more about The Eric Liddell 100 celebration events, please visit the Eric Liddell Community website.
Read more...
15 February 2024 (Seachdain na Gàidhlig)
Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week takes place from 19 to 25 February 2024. There are lots of ways to get involved and celebrate the theme of ‘Your Language. Your Opportunity’.
Why not run your own event as part of Seachdain na Gàidhlig? Resources are available for individuals and organisations to deliver events in their own communities.
Visit the Seachdain na Gàidhlig website for more information and see what's happening in your area.
Read more...
13 February 2024 (IberoDocs)
IberoDocs will return to Edinburgh and Glasgow for its tenth edition, 21 February - 2 March 2024.
The festival offers a carefully selected programme of the latest and most relevant documentaries from Spain, Portugal and Latin America, plus a string of events designed to connect communities in celebration of rich cultures.
IberoDocs X features six feature-length documentaries from Argentina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Panama, Portugal, and Spain, and two short films made by Scotland-based filmmakers. The screenings will represent the Scottish premiere of all films (except I Miss Hugs), including two UK premieres (One Day Lobo Lopez; For Your Peace, Build Your Own Museum) and one international premiere (Infinities).
The festival will feature several in-person and Zoom Q&As with international filmmakers. Each feature film will screen once in each city.
See the attached pdf for more information or visit the website to access the full digital brochure.
Read more...
Goethe-Institut competitions for schools
8 February 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut offers a range of opportunities for schools. The following competitions are currently running:
- Internationale Deutscholympiade (IDO) - the deadline for applications to the Internationale Deutscholympiade 2024 has been extended. Until 18 February 2024, students aged 14-17 can take part in the virtual national preliminaries. There's also an opportunity to become an accompanying teacher for the two UK finalists who take part in the IDO in Göttingen in July.
- Sustainable Cooking & German Competition with FitGreenMind - open to UK primary and secondary classes. Submission deadline 29 February 2024.
- Enterprise German competition (“Unternehmen Deutsch”) - this project combines aspects of German, economics, and professional orientation with a motivating competition. School classes from secondary schools in the UK and university students can register by 15 March 2024.
8 February 2024 (Helensburgh Advertiser)
Pupils at a Helensburgh Primary school “thoroughly enjoyed” a week of learning about different cultures around the globe.
Hermitage Primary pupils discovered all about a variety of countries and languages for Language Week Scotland which ran from Monday, January 29 to Friday, February 2.
Children participated in many fun activities including researching and presenting the impact global warming is having on the country their class focused on, listening to and watching short stories and fairy tales in the county’s native language, and learning and performing a traditional dance.
Read more...
7 February 2024 (Daily Record)
A successful singer has visited Fernhill School to inspire youngsters to learn languages.
As part of Languages Week Scotland, singer-songwriter Christine Bovill visited Fernhill School to discuss how learning languages shaped her unique career and life.
Pupils spent the morning basking in her stories and finding out how despite, initially being a reluctant learner of French, it shaped her life.
After an early career as a school teacher of English and French, Christine finally left the classroom to pursue a career as a live performer.
At the heart of Christine's journey till now has been her devotion to French Song.
Read more...
3 February 2024 (Glasgow Times)
Proud students have shared their love of language after their school spent a week celebrating different cultures.
Fionnlagh Moireasdan, a student at the Glasgow Gaelic School, explained why embracing Gaelic as a second language meant celebrating his family history.
The 15-year-old said: "Gaelic has always been important to me because I'm passionate about keeping the language of my family and ancestors alive."
[..] Last week, pupils were treated to events to promote learning an additional language and reflect on the benefits as part of Languages Week Scotland.
Read more...
1 February 2024 (British Council)
Join us during February for our festival of language when your students can show off their language skills. This can be a language they are learning at school or one they speak in their community. It’s about sharing a love of language and celebrating the diversity of people in the UK who speak a language other than English.
It's easy to take part! Visit the British Council website for more information.
Read more...
30 January 2024 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools is delighted to collaborate with The Eric Liddell Community to launch a poster competition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell's legendary win at the 1924 Paris Olympics!
The competition is open to all primary schools in Scotland. The deadline for entries is Friday 8 March 2024. Further details and the submission link can be found on the CISS website or see the attached flyer. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.
To find out more about The Eric Liddell 100 celebration events, please visit the Eric Liddell Community website.
Read more...
Italian poster competition - Cosa significa l’Italia per me
25 January 2024 (SCILT)
We are launching a new poster competition for school-aged learners of Italian (this includes those with no prior learning). We would love you to use whatever knowledge of Italian and Italy that you have to show what Italy means to you.
Your challenge:
- Design a poster, including as much Italian language as you can, to show what Italy means to you.
- Use the title Cosa significa l’Italia per me.
- Individual or group entries are welcome. Group entries: use the title Cosa significa l’Italia per noi.
- Judging categories: P1-4, P5-7, S1-3, S4-6.
- This competition is open to all learners regardless of level of Italian. This includes those with no prior learning. The variation in Italian language content that will naturally result from this will be taken into account in the judging process.
- Closing date extended to Thursday 7 March 2024.
- Entries should be emailed by teachers in the form of a photograph to scilt@strath.ac.uk with Italian Poster Competition in the email subject line.
- A signed Submission and Consent Form (attached below) should also be sent at the same time for each entry. It is perfectly acceptable to upload a photograph of this form; it is not necessary to scan the document.
- In order to assist judging, please ensure that the sections of the Submission Form indicating level of Italian learning and where the inspiration for the poster came from are completed.
- Each entry should state the school name, pupil name and age category in its file name.
- Winners will be notified and announced around Easter 2024.
A downloadable flyer is attached.
We look forward to seeing your entries!
16 January 2024 (British Council)
Practise and celebrate a language your students are learning or use in their community, and take part in a virtual festival of speaking!
Join us during February for our festival of language when your students can show off their language skills. This can be a language they are learning at school or one they speak in their community. It’s about sharing a love of language and celebrating the diversity of people in the UK who speak a language other than English.
It's easy to take part! Visit the British Council website for more information.
Read more...
Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize 2024
16 January 2024 (Franco-Scottish Society / Alliance Française)
The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay prize, established to commemorate and celebrate the life of a long-time member of the Franco-Scottish Society, is for students of Advanced Higher French in all schools and colleges across Scotland. This competition, run by the Franco-Scottish Society and the Alliance Française in Glasgow, aligns with the writing outcomes of the AH French course. Please note that this competition is not open to native French speakers nor those with a French heritage.
The essay, written in French, should be no longer than 500 words in length and can be discursive or narrative in style. Three prizes will be offered, and the winner of the first prize will also receive a trophy.
Schools and colleges have until 29 January 2024 to register interest for their students via the Alliance Française website when the essay task for the year will also be distributed to those registered.
Further information about the background to the competition, including judging guidelines and past essay questions, can be found on the SCILT website.
16 January 2024 (Queen's College Oxford)
Inspired by the life and work of the great translator Anthea Bell, the competition aims to promote language learning across the UK and to inspire creativity in the classroom. By providing teachers with the tools they need to bring translation to life, we hope to motivate more pupils to study modern foreign languages throughout their time at school and beyond.
The Prize is free to enter and open to all secondary schools across the UK. The Prize currently offers French (into Welsh and English), Spanish, German, Italian and Mandarin. Teachers can register for the prize at any point in the year. The competition will run from February to March in 2024.
Visit the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators website for more information.
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News from language & education organisations
15 January 2024 (Renfrewshire 24)
As Burns Night approaches, we celebrate not just Robert Burns’ poetry but also the wider heritage found in the Scots language.
With lively readings of Burns’ verses and traditional Scottish music, this spirited celebration highlights the importance of the Scottish language in preserving and expressing the unique identity and cultural richness of the nation.
Beyond language, music plays a paramount role in preserving a country’s traditions and songs can be incredible time-capsules that preserve a nation’s cultural heritage. The tradition of children in Scottish schools learning Scots songs is longstanding and embedded in Scottish culture, so much so that it is part of the Scottish school curriculum.
To celebrate all things Scots language ahead of Burns Night on 25th January, VisitScotland surveyed more than 1,000 Scottish adults to see exactly what their favourite Scots songs are, their memories of learning Scots songs in school, and whether they enjoyed their time learning Scots language songs as part of their schooling.
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9 January 2024 (UKLO)
UKLO (United Kingdom Linguistics Olympiad) is a language-analysis competition for all ages. We create linguistics puzzles and run competitions for school children to encourage a lifelong interest in the world’s languages.
The competition is offered at four levels of difficulty for KS2 – KS5, and provide Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, as well as participation certificates, at each level.
The highest scoring students proceed through a couple more rounds of testing and coaching before we present them for the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) where they compete against other countries.
UKLO questions require no preliminary knowledge in language, linguistics or any other subject taught at school. From decoding alien messages to scents and smells, UKLO questions are diverse with over 70 confirmed different variations. There is something for everyone.
Visit the UKLO website to find out more and register to take part by 29 January.
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9 January 2024 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland is a celebration of language learning and multilingualism in Scotland. Now in its sixth year, Languages Week Scotland 2024 will take place from 29 January – 2 February and will be a week of activity across the country.
Languages Week Scotland will share a Challenge on X (formerly Twitter) each day throughout the Week. To help teachers to prepare to engage with these Challenges, we have published them in advance on our website.
Follow @LangsWeekScot and #ScotlandLovesLanguages on X.
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Writing competitions for language students
18 December 2023 (King's College London)
The Department of Languages, Literature and Cultures at King's College London invites Year 12 or 13 (S5 or S6 in Scotland) students of German, French and Spanish/Portuguese to submit original pieces of work in their chosen language. Prizes include the chance to have their article published.
Follow the appropriate link below to find out more about the competition, the subject topic and how to enter:
The entry deadline for all is 20 February 2024.
8 December 2023 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published. Read about SCILT's work to support language learning and teaching, including our professional learning opportunities, language promotional activities, and support for language learners at all levels. Find out how schools celebrated European Day of Languages 2023 and read about the latest inspiring initiatives from local authorities. There is also an opportunity to read about the work of our partners to support language learning in Scotland.
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Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize 2024
7 December 2023 (Franco-Scottish Society / Alliance Française)
The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay prize, established to commemorate and celebrate the life of a long-time member of the Franco-Scottish Society, will open in January to students preparing Advanced Higher French in all schools and colleges across Scotland. This competition, run by the Franco-Scottish Society and the Alliance Française in Glasgow, aligns with the writing outcomes of the AH French course. Please note that this competition is not open to native French speakers nor those with a French heritage.
The essay, written in French, should be no longer than 500 words in length and can be discursive or narrative in style. Three prizes will be offered, and the winner of the first prize will also receive a trophy.
Schools and colleges will be asked to register interest for their students at the start of January via the Alliance Française website. Registrations will close on 29 January, when the essay task for the year will also be distributed to registered schools and colleges.
Further information about the background to the competition, including judging guidelines and past essay questions, can be found on the SCILT website.
5 December 2023 (Scottish Mathematical Council)
The Scottish Mathematical Council would like to welcome schools to participate in the world-wide Mathematics and Language competition Mathématiques sans Frontières.
We are hopeful that we continue to offer a stimulating and light-hearted competition for senior phase pupils which combines Mathematics and Modern Languages. For those of you who have not taken part previously, this competition aims to motivate pupils in these subjects, promote teamwork throughout pupils of all abilities, and bridge borders between countries across the world.
Attached is a discovery training test for “Mathématiques Sans Frontières” alongside some more formal competition instructions, and an entry proforma for the competition. Entry deadline: 26 January 2024.
You can also find more information on the Mathématiques sans Frontières website.
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1 December 2023 (SCILT)
Are you looking for ways to bring the festive season to your languages classroom?
SCILT have compiled a range of online resources for use with your learners, from interactive advent calendars and games, to festive facts, songs and downloadable worksheets. Find out how Christmas is celebrated in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and many other places around the world!
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24 November 2023 (SCILT)
Schools who’ve registered for this year’s Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition have until Friday 1 December to submit entries! Submission guidelines are on the SCILT website.
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16 November 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
The International German Olympiad takes place every two years and is the world's largest competition for the German language. Here, participants can prove their German language skills in three levels (A2, B1 and B2). In addition to the focus on language skills, both national and international competitions promote intercultural skills and international teamwork.
The digital national preliminary round for participants from the UK runs from 6 November 2023 to 31 January 2024. Information on how to participate in the national preliminary round can be found on the Goethe-Institut IDO webpage.
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16 November 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Each month Scottish Book Trust runs a 50 Word Fiction competition with a prompt to get you started. The November competition prompt is inspired by the theme of this year's Book Week Scotland, Adventure!
The competition includes a category for Gaelic writers, so get creative and submit your entry by 28 November.
Read more...
2 November 2023 (Japan Foundation)
Applications are now open for JaLaChamp 2024!
JaLaChamp, or Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK, is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese. There are two categories - the speech category, where students give a speech on a theme of their choice, and the video category where students are asked to create an original video either by individual or part of a group.
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information and to enter: 6 December 2023 deadline for speech category; 24 January 2024 deadline for video category.
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24 October 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Enterprise German (“Unternehmen Deutsch”) combines aspects of German, economics, and professional orientation with a motivating competition. School classes from secondary schools in the UK and university students who deal with the topic of career orientation in the classroom can participate, if their teacher or professor registers a participating group.
The initiative will take place from September 2023 to July 2024.
For more information, please visit the Goethe Institut website and register by 15 March 2024.
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9 October 2023 (Institut français)
The French Pop Video Competition is a national competition organised by Francophonie UK supported by TV5Monde for all KS1 to KS5 students of French in the UK.
Students get to engage with French in a creative and fun way, improving writing skills and vocabulary by creating their own lyrics and practising speaking skills by performing and recording their song/rap.
Visit the Institut français website to learn more about the competition and register by 10 March 2024 to take part.
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6 October 2023 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland is a celebration of language learning and multilingualism in Scotland. Now in its sixth year, Languages Week Scotland 2024 will take place from 29 January – 2 February and will be a week of activity across the country. The theme for 2024 is “Languages for a sustainable world”.
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2 October 2023 (University of Oxford)
The 12th Oxford German Olympiad is now open!
This year's topic is: Kafkaesque Kreatures
The competition is all about animals - but from perspectives with a difference. The tasks take inspiration from the animal stories by Franz Kafka (1883-1924), who gave the German and English languages the word kafkaesk / Kafkaesque to describe a weird, disturbing experience.
The competition is open to upper primary and secondary learners of German, with further categories for group or class entries as well as the Discover German Taster category for those with no prior experience of studying the language.
Visit the Oxford German Olympiad website for full competition details and guidelines. Closing date for all entries is 7 March 2024.
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28 September 2023 (SCILT)
Schools in Scotland wishing to take part in this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition have until National Poetry Day on 5 October to register!
Visit our website to learn more about the competition and discover poetry resources to help you celebrate National Poetry Day in class as well as prepare for the MTOT competition.
It's the 10th anniversary year of MTOT in Scotland, so join in the celebration - visit our website and register your school now!
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28 September 2023 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages took place on Tuesday 26 September, what has your school been doing to celebrate?
Upload a short description and some photos via our online form and we'll feature you in our EDL 2023 blog! Some entries may even be featured in the SCILT winter newsletter.
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European Day of Languages 2023: a Day to highlight Europe’s linguistic and cultural diversity
26 September 2023 (Council of Europe)
Every year since 2001 the European Day of Languages celebrates the wealth of languages coexisting in Europe and beyond. Over 225 languages are native to Europe alone, not including languages that arrived on the continent through migration.
“The European Day of Languages reminds us that learning a language is a step towards openness and respect for other cultures,” says Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić.
Specific European Day of Languages’ aims:
- Raise awareness of the importance of language learning to increase plurilingualism and intercultural understanding.
- Promote the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe.
- Encourage lifelong language learning in and out of school.
Many countries across Europe are hosting a wide range of initiatives to mark 22 years of linguistic and cultural diversity, including the following: a Multilingual European Day of Languages concert in Espoo (Finland), a “Bei uns sagt man.....” improvisation comedy show through European languages and cultures in Berlin (Germany), A Say Yes to Languages fair in Belgrade (Serbia), a video challenge for schools Vi elsker sprog (We love languages) followed by an award ceremony for the winners in Copenhagen (Denmark), an “Olympic games” language week organised by a school on Petite-Île, Réunion (France), Cooking with languages! in Vercelli (Italy), an online event for school pupils in Kherson (Ukraine) and an online conference organised by the European Commission entitled Teaching language skills at the heart of the European Education Area.
19 September 2023 (British Council)
The British Council remains committed to supporting the teaching and learning of languages in UK schools.
As part of this the organisation, in partnership with QFI, is restructuring their support for Arabic language teaching and learning in the UK with new events and activities planned for the autumn term. Schools can also apply for grants to introduce the language into their curriculum. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
And with European Day of Languages fast approaching, British Council has developed two new lesson resources to celebrate the event; 'Let's talk about languages' for primary learners and 'Why choose languages' for secondary.
Visit the British Council website to download these resources.
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14 September 2023 (Global School Alliance)
Celebrated on 26 September every year, the European Day of Languages (EDL) is designed to promote the importance of language learning and protecting the linguistic heritage.
To get your pupils involved in this year's event, the Global School Alliance has launched a competition ‘For me, learning a language is…’ and are asking students to tell us what learning a language means to them. It is open to schools with students studying a European language worldwide and aims to showcase the magic and importance of language learning.
Visit the website to find out more and register your school. Deadline for entries is 3 October.
Read more...
14 September 2023 (University of Oxford)
Organised by the Queen's Translation Exchange at the University of Oxford, the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators is a UK-wide creative translation competition for students aged 11-18 studying French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish. The competition also runs from French into Welsh.
The 2023-24 prize will launch on 20 September, when creative translation teaching packs will be shared with teachers in time for European Day of Languages on 26 September and International Translation Day on 30 September. These teaching packs are designed to help teachers bring creative translation into the MFL classroom as well as to help students prepare for the competition task.
The competition itself will run over several weeks from 5 February to 28 March 2024. Area and national winners will be announced in May or June 2023. They will receive certificates and national winners will receive book prizes. Over 15,000 students participated in the competition in 2023.
For those registered, teaching packs for poetry translation will be circulated on 20 September, fiction will follow after October half term, and non-fiction will be released in early January.
There are a number of related activities run by the Queen's Translation Exchange that teachers and pupils can participate in, details of which can be found on the Opportunities for Schools webpage.
Visit the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators website for more information and to register to receive resources and updates about the competition task. You can also see the list of winners and commendations for last year's competition.
If you have any further queries regarding the competition, you should contact the Translation Exchange team at translation.exchange@queens.ox.ac.uk.
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12 September 2023 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our winter 2023 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. This is a chance to showcase innovative projects, language learning celebrations or initiatives which took place before the summer break or so far this session.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 13th October 2023.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
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31 August 2023 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival UK Learning Programme is once again delighted to bring French-speaking cinema free of charge to schools this November and December! All the films in the selection are in French with English subtitles.
Each of the four films will be accompanied by new learning packs in French and English.
Download the programme and start planning your screenings now!
FFF 2023 In-School Learning Programme
Student Film Review Awards
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland will once again award prizes for the best film reviews submitted by students in Scotland.
The Learning Programme is grateful for the generous support of the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, TotalEnergies, the Institut français worldwide network, the Hugh Fraser Foundation, and SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages).
More information about the Festival can be found on the French Film Festival website.
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29 August 2023 (Institut français)
Le Concours de la Francophonie 2024 is now open!
The national school competition's aim is to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland to enjoy the French language. It has always been a great way of celebrating the international day of la francophonie. In 2023, over 500 pupils from 25 schools all over Scotland took part in the competition.
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French.
The theme of the competition this year is: “Paris Olympic Games 2024: Ouvrons grand les jeux!”
Visit the Institut français website for full details and entry criteria. Submission deadline is 31 January 2024.
Read more...
25 August 2023 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. Now in its 22nd year, it aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. What is your school doing in 2023?
If you're looking for inspiration, SCILT has compiled lots of ideas for primary, secondary and parents & families on our EDL webpage. What about making some multilingual bunting, hosting a languages café, or creating a zine? You will also find links to competitions, blogs and websites with a huge range of celebration ideas and activities.
Let us know how you celebrate and we'll include you in our EDL 2023 blog. Upload a short description and some colourful photos or email scilt@strath.ac.uk.
If you're sharing your celebrations on Twitter tag @scottishcilt and use the hashtag #coeEDL to share your celebrations with schools across Europe!
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SCILT news
22 August 2023 (SEET)
Registration for the SEET’s Our World project 2023-24 is now open and totally free to enter! Just fill in this quick form to sign up your school: https://ourworldproject.wufoo.com/forms/z1fa1wdl0fdqs2a/
Our World is a language learning and global citizenship-based filmmaking project for S1 - S6 pupils. It's designed to complement the Curriculum for Excellence and help tackle the Attainment Challenge by providing a free project which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Teams of 4 (S1 - S6) design a storyboard which outlines the film they propose to make. This year's films must include the use of a language other than English and should touch on the theme of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each team must choose at least one of the 17 SDGs to focus their film on.
SEET supports teachers and pupils throughout the whole process, starting with our introductory CLPL session for teachers on Tuesday 12 September 2023.
Visit the SEET website for more information and register to take part.
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18 August 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce that MTOT is back for 2024, and it’s an extra special year - MTOT celebrates its 10th anniversary!
Over the last decade the competition has evolved from written poems in the beginning, to now focussing on the spoken word. Hearing pupils share their voices and language skills helps bring their poetry to life, and we look forward to seeing what creative brilliance emerges from Scotland’s schools this year. In this 10th anniversary year, we are delighted and very excited to work with our partners at Instituto Cervantes to offer a special prize category for entries in Spanish, one of the most widely taught languages in Scotland’s schools.
So, if you have entered MTOT before, we’d love to welcome you back. If you are new to MTOT, what better year to join than our 10th anniversary year? Our multilingual poetry competition is now open. Visit our MTOT page on the SCILT website for more information and register your school now.
MTOT is 10 years old – come join the celebration!
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8 August 2023 (GCHQ)
The 2023 GCHQ National Language Competition will run from Monday 6 November to Friday 10 November 2023.
The National Language Competition (NLC) is a virtual competition where teams from schools around the UK compete against each other to solve language-based puzzles and score points. The overall winners are then invited to GCHQ’s headquarters in Cheltenham to receive their trophy!
With the NLC, GCHQ aims to inspire language learning by encouraging students to discover their aptitude for learning languages.
Visit the competition website for more information and to register interest.
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18 July 2023 (The National)
Nominations have opened for the 2023 Scots Language Awards, giving the public a chance to commend their personal Scots language heroes.
The awards ceremony will take place at Johnstone Town Hall, in partnership with Paisley.is, on Saturday, September 16, showcasing the best of Scots language and culture.
[..] The awards, which began in 2019, celebrate the importance of Scots language within arts and culture but also in daily life, education, and business. Nominations will close on Sunday 30 July.
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7 July 2023 (The Northern Scot)
Buckie High have become the first Moray school to strike gold with a major languages award.
The school finished the term on a high by celebrating achieving their Gold Scottish Languages Employability Award (SLEA), which is valid for two years. The award helps schools and businesses to build partnerships through languages in order to develop young people's learning about the world of work and the value of language skills.
It follows on from BCHS claiming their silver award last year when they worked with major local employer Associated Seafoods Ltd (ASL), a collaboration which has been running for the last six or seven years. This time around, Buckie High expanded on the employer base involved, with Chivas Bros, Johnston's of Elgin and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Moray joining ASL in working with the school.
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6 July 2023 (Clydebank Post)
A Clydebank school was said to have 'impressed judges' on their way to picking up a top educational award for languages.
Pupils across three age groups at St Peter the Apostle High School were praised for their 'passion' for languages such as Gaelic and Spanish as they landed the Gold Scottish Languages Employability Award from SCILT - Gold Scottish Languages Employability Award from SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages and the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools.
The recognition award - launched in 2019 - was developed by SCILT as a way of delivering DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) through languages, encouraging school-business partnerships and recognising good practice in this area.
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Languages in the press
16 June 2023 (SCILT)
Finalists' work from this year's MTOT competition can now be viewed on the SCILT website.
As part of our Mother Tongue Other Tongue poetry competition, SCILT received several entries from young Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine. We wanted the world to be able to access these wonderfully creative and emotive pieces of writing. Our Voices of Hope online exhibition, in partnership with AUGB, will be launched on 21 June as part of Refugee Week Scotland 2023 and will be available on SCILT's website following the launch event.
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Refugees
13 June 2023 (CISS)
The latest edition of the CISS newsletter has been published. Read about the many activities and initiatives going on across the Confucius Classroom Hub Network and CISS’s work to support the learning and teaching of Mandarin, including competitions, online learning and events.
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Scottish Education Awards 2023 - Gaelic Education
8 June 2023 (Scottish Education Awards)
Congratulations to James Gillespie's High School, winners of the Gaelic Education Award at this year's Scottish Education Awards held on 7 June.
Well done too to Goodlyburn Primary and Dunoon Grammar for making the final shortlist.
6 June 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scottish Book Trust, together with Hands Up for Trad, Scots Hoose, Education Scotland and Scottish Government, are running a competition to find Scotland’s ‘Young Scots writer of the Year’.
Stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it's in Scots and under 2500 words or up to ten minutes.
The competition is open to 11-18 year-olds, and entries should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 21 June 2023.
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for more information and submission guidelines.
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Espacios Increíbles 2022-23 - Winner announced!
5 June 2023 (SCILT)
Congratulations to St Luke’s High School, East Renfrewshire, on winning SCILT's Espacios Increíbles competition 2022-23.
The winner was announced at the final, held online on Wednesday 24 May 2023. A superb effort was made by all six finalist schools (Alva Academy, Dunblane High, Perth Academy, Prestwick Academy, St Andrew’s & St Bride’s High School as well as St Luke’s High School); competition was stiff and the judging panel had a very difficult decision to make.
The interdisciplinary competition for S2-S3 combines Spanish with art, design and technology. Pupils design an amazing space and present their work in Spanish.
St Luke’s High School came out top with their innovative design for a space for quiet reflection and relaxation in the courtyard of Santo Domingo Church in Lima, Peru. Their design was inspired by San Martín de Porres, who is the Patron Saint of Racial Equality, and is buried there.
They clearly demonstrated how they had worked collaboratively, drawing on art, design and Spanish skills to create a feasible and sustainable design which connected well to the local environment and linked to their school.
The other five finalist schools also did an amazing job, with a variety of creative designs meeting the brief for a sustainable space for health and wellbeing including a water tower providing clean drinking water, a library and coffee shop, a hot air balloon raising awareness of climate change, a cube promoting biodiversity and a health centre for the poor.
All the finalists enjoyed the final and the opportunity to present their designs to a live audience, hear from inspiring guest speakers who spoke about their work in architecture and the opportunities that learning Spanish had given them, and take part in some fun games that tested their Spanish. Congratulations to all our teams for Espacios Increíbles 2023!
2 June 2023 (SCILT)
Félicitations to Mearns Castle High, winners of this year’s edition of Le Foot et la Francophonie!
Following the pilot last year, Le Foot was rolled out nationally in 2022-23, engaging over forty schools, from Shetland to Stranraer, and attracting video entries from twenty-four teams across ten schools. Following a shortlisting process conducted by a panel at SCILT, the finalists invited to take part in the live event at the University of Strathclyde on Thursday 1 June came from Biggar High (two teams), Kinross High, Prestwick Academy, Kilmarnock Academy and Mearns Castle High.
As was the case during the pilot edition, Le Foot, an interdisciplinary project incorporating benchmarks, experiences and outcomes in Modern Languages, Physical Education and Health and Wellbeing, generated huge enthusiasm in the schools which integrated the project into their S2 and S3 programmes. Again, participation fired the creative imagination of the learners, some of whom had previously shown limited interest in French, while their teachers built on the legacy of the pilot project by creating and sharing a wealth of new resources covering the four key skills of reading, listening, talking and writing, focussing on the Francophone world and including strong anti-racism messages. The pupils who took part, numbering well over one thousand, were encouraged to consider the vital importance of additional languages to a broad range of careers associated with professional sports.
The six teams of pupils were joined at the final by their teachers and classmates who came along to support them. On the panel of judges were Cédric Moreau (Subject Leader for French, University of Strathclyde), Lisa Hanna (Depute Director of SCILT), Kandi Higgins (Course Leader for PGDE in Modern Languages, University of Strathclyde), Cara Lamb (Course Leader for PGDE in Physical Education, University of Strathclyde) and Mark Cunningham (graduate in Spanish and Education, and qualified football coach). After presenting their football-themed videos in French, the teams performed football drills, which included commands in French, and all pupils present were put through their paces in a range of drills designed and delivered by newly qualified PE teachers from the University’s School of Education. Those in attendance then heard a video message from former Scotland footballer John Collins, who learned French during his two-year spell at AS Monaco, before some closing remarks from Fhiona Mackay (Director of SCILT). The all important winner’s announcement saw Mearns Castle claim the trophy, together with a visit to Hampden Park, where the winning team will be given a French-focussed tour of the stadium and the Scottish Football Museum.
For more information on Le Foot et la Francophonie, including a range of football-themed resources for second and third level BGE French, see the page dedicated to the project on the SCILT website.
Read more...
Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize 2023 - Winners announced!
1 June 2023 (SCILT)
The final of this year’s Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize took place on Tuesday 30 May. This prize, run in partnership between the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland and SCILT, was established in 2021 in honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community.
The awards ceremony was held on Zoom with opening remarks and announcement of the winner by Lord Brodie, President of the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland. Mme Laurence Païs, Consule Générale de France and Directrice de l’Institut Français d’Écosse.
First place and runners-up spots were closely contested, with the awards ultimately going to the following:
First place
- Lola Guatelli (Robert Gordon’s College)
Runners-up
- Toby Reid (Harlaw Academy)
- Renata Csapai (St Margaret’s Academy)
Highly commended for reaching the final six were also:
- Dishan Aloysius (Holyrood Secondary School)
- Maya McGowan (Bearsden Academy)
- Ailie Wright (Inverkeithing High School)
Congratulations go to these finalists and to all those who took part in this competition! The standard of French was very high indeed and judging decisions came down to the finest of margins.
The 2023 awards ceremony will shortly be published on both the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland and SCILT websites.
19 May 2023 (SEET)
It's our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! 50% of proceeds will be allocated to your own school fund, and 50% will be shared with our charity to further support young people with their language learning across Scotland. There will also be prizes for the most unique ideas and for the school that raises the most.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
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19 May 2023 (Scots Language Centre)
Scottish Book Trust, together with Hands Up for Trad, Scots Hoose, Education Scotland and Scottish Government, are running a competition to find Scotland’s ‘Young Scots writer of the Year’.
The competition is open to 11-18 year-olds, and entries should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 21 June 2023.
Visit the Scots Language Centre website for more information and submission guidelines.
Read more...
19 May 2023 (SCILT)
Congratulations again to everyone who took part in our recent Words for the World competition.
Following the awards ceremony on 25 April, and the announcement of the winners’ names, we are now delighted to be able to publish the winning, highly commended and other finalist entries in each category. We are sure that you will be impressed by the fantastic linguistic diversity, creativity and passion that all the finalists show. Well done everyone!
At the awards ceremony we were delighted to be able to share a personal video message from Len Pennie, the well-known Scottish poet and Scots language and mental health advocate, which spoke of the huge difference that all of our words can make; watch her video and be inspired!
Read more...
12 May 2023 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize has now launched! It is the leading annual prize for poetry in translation, with categories for pupils, teachers and individual young people in the UK and Ireland, as well as an Open category for adults from all over the world. The rules are simple: translate into English any poem from any language – from French to Farsi, from Spanish to Somali—and win publication and cash prizes!
There are some changes for the 2023 edition, including a spotlight on poetry from Ukraine.
Visit the Stephen Spender Prize website for further information and to register to take part.
Read more...
5 May 2023 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!
Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning opportunities, knowledge exchange events, competitions and online lessons. Find out how schools celebrated Languages Week Scotland 2023 and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition of the newsletter you can read the submission guidelines on our website, and email your entries to SCILT.
Read more...
4 May 2023 (SCILT)
Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Words for the World competition.
We had a very high standard of entries submitted in a range of formats and different languages. Our young people here in Scotland demonstrated a wealth of linguistic diversity, creativity and immense passion for protecting our planet, our humanity and creating a brighter future for us all. We were truly humbled and inspired by their work and they should all be incredibly proud of their achievements.
Judging proved exceptionally difficult, but we were delighted to announce the winning entries at an online awards event held last week to celebrate Earth Day. Well done again to the following who were successful in their respective categories and thank you to every pupil who participated in the competition.
P1-P4
- Winner – Libby Gow, Goodlyburn Primary
- Highly commended – Jamie Rettie, Goodlyburn Primary
P5-P7
- Winner – Sophia Chan, ESMS Junior School
- Highly commended – Halima Jemal, Toryglen Primary
- Highly commended – Leena Valluri, Goodlyburn Primary
S1-S3
- Winner - Deepak Krisna Kumaar, Craigmount High
- Highly commended – 1W & 1Q class entry, Holy Rood RC High
- Highly commended – Rory Turner, Portree High
S4-S6
- Winner - Dianna-Liza Boychuk, Craigmount High
- Highly commended - Wessam Kawarit, Craigmount High
Winners and highly commended entrants will receive a book token and certificate and have their work showcased on the SCILT website in due course, whilst all participants will receive a certificate in recognition of their hard work.
You can find out more about the competition on our Words for the World webpage.
Read more...
4 May 2023 (Dundee Courier)
When Caitlin Anderson, 14, was asked to look after a Ukrainian refugee joining her school it was the start of a special friendship.
As Caitlin helped Veronika Raziievska, also 14, improve her English and settle into her new surroundings, she decided she should make the effort to learn her language.
And as well as making Veronika’s new life at Monifieth High School a little easier, that resulted in Caitlin winning a national competition for a poem she subsequently wrote in Ukrainian.
When she entered the Mother Tongue Other Tongue contest, Caitlin told Veronika’s story to raise awareness of what she and other refugees had endured as a result of the war in Ukraine.
We met the S2 pupils to hear about their friendship and how that resulted in Caitlin’s award-winning poem.
Read more...
27 April 2023 (My London)
April 20 this year marked the 14th United Nations Chinese Language Day, and also the 4th International Chinese Language Day, jointly initiated by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation and Chinese Plus.
To celebrate this festival for Chinese language enthusiasts across the globe, the School of Foreign Languages of Southwest Jiaotong University teamed up with Pandaful to launch the 'An Adventure with Pandas' series of five livestreams targeting Chinese language enthusiasts in the UK and the US, with support provided by the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
More than 9,500 students from some 430 primary and secondary schools in the UK and the US, including eight American universities, signed up for the event, with audiences putting forth more than 60 questions related to the giant panda.
Read more...
20 April 2023 (CISS)
To commemorate the final year of the Giant Pandas in Scotland CISS is excited to introduce the Panda Card Project - an opportunity for pupils to design a goodbye card for Yang Guang and Tian Tian, to wish them best wishes for their journey and new life back at home.
All submissions will be collated into a photo book which will be passed on to Edinburgh Zoo and then travel back to China with the pandas.
Visit the CISS website for more information and submit entries by 26 May 2023.
Read more...
18 April 2023 (Scottish Poetry Library)
The Scottish Poetry Library seeks submissions to its talent development scheme for poetry writers aged 16 to 25 years. We are looking for poets and poetry that are unique, imaginative and bold – a lot like Scotland itself.
We will select five young makars in total: four poets writing in English or Scots, and a writer in Scottish Gaelic. A bursary of £500 will be made available to each poet to support their engagement with the programme.
Visit the Scottish Poetry Library website for more information and submit applications by 28 April 2023.
Read more...
18 April 2023 (b small publishing)
The b small Young Language Learner Award is an exciting story-writing opportunity aimed at 6-11 year olds. Children are encouraged to send in a story or comic written in a language of their choice, other than a mother tongue, with the chance of winning up to 10 books of their choice from the b small website.
Visit the website for more information and to register for the competition entry pack. Entries close 5 June 2023.
Read more...
18 April 2023 (SEET)
It's our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! 50% of proceeds will be allocated to your own school fund, and 50% will be shared with our charity to further support young people with their language learning across Scotland. There will also be prizes for the most unique ideas and for the school that raises the most.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
Read more...
13 April 2023 (Limping Chicken)
The UK’s first National British Sign Language (BSL) Day to “celebrate” the language will take place on 28 April – the same day the BSL Act received Royal Assent last year – the British Deaf Association (BDA) has confirmed.
The day was first announced last month, at the Deaf charity’s inaugural BSL Conference.
In a message to members on Wednesday, BDA CEO Rebecca Mansell said: “Our aim for the day is to celebrate our language – BSL, to encourage more people to learn to sign, and remind the Government that we have high expectations for the implementation of the BSL Act.”
Read more...
30 March 2023 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize for poetry translation is open to all ages. This year’s prize will launch on 12 May 2023, but teachers are invited to register to involve their students now. All those who register will receive regular resources and activities to help them to integrate creative translation into their teaching.
The rules are simple: translate into English any poem from any language.
This year sees several new categories in the competition, including a special spotlight on poetry from Ukraine.
Visit the website for more information and to sign-up to take part.
Read more...
30 March 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scotland's Stories is an annual writing project which aims to encourage all types of people to share their experiences. Every year there's a different theme to help people write about their lives, their way. The theme for 2023 is Adventure.
This project is for everyone, even if you've never written before Scottish Book Trust would like to hear from you.
Entries can be in any format – a story, poem, comic strip, play or letter. Video and audio entries are also accepted.
Entries are welcome in Gaelic, Scots and English.
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for more information.
Read more...
28 March 2023 (University of Exeter)
To celebrate the UK's cultural diversity, the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Visual Studies at the University of Exeter are inviting secondary pupils (aged 11-16) to take a photo showing languages other than English in their local area - shop signs, bilingual street signs, film posters, advertisements and so on. Provide a brief caption, describing why and how the language is used in your chosen photograph (up to 100 words).
Schools can select up to three entries to submit to the competition.
The top 30 entries will feature in an exhibition touring Exeter, London, and Sheffield. And there are prizes up for grabs too!
Visit the website for full competition details and how to enter by 28 April 2023.
Read more...
18 March 2023 (Fife Today)
Pupils from Valley Primary School, Kirkcaldy, have been celebrating their success in a National Poetry Competition, Mother Tongue Other Tongue.
Six P7 pupils wrote original poems in their first language to showcase and celebrate the many languages spoken at Valley Primary School.
As well as entering the competition they also shared their poems at school along with pupils reciting a range of Scots poetry.
Read more...
17 March 2023 (Cambridge Language Collective)
The Cambridge Language Collective is delighted to be opening its third annual Schools’ Essay Competition. Following the spirit of the publication’s own personal objective, to ‘broaden horizons beyond the Anglophone world’, the essay competition encourages students from years 10 to 13 (S4-S6 in Scotland) to write about the art & culture, or politics & society, of a non-Anglophone country.
Visit the website for more information and submit entries by 5 April 2023.
Read more...
16 March 2023 (Institut français)
Le Concours de la Francophonie 2023 is now closed ! The theme of the competition this year was : “PLAY” - “JOUER” en français.
Congratulations to everyone who participated and to the following institutions who have each won prizes in their own categories:
First prize:
- St George’s School for Girls, Edinburgh (S1-S6)
- Avenue End Primary, Glasgow (P5-P7)
- Glasgow Academy Milngavie, Glasgow (P1 –P4)
Second prize:
- Aberdeen Grammar School, Aberdeen (S1-S6)
- Kilmodan Primary School & ELCC, Glendaruel (P5-P7)
- Doune Primary School, Stirling (P1-P4)
We congratulate all our winners on their French skills and creativity!
It's not too late to register for free online courses in French to celebrate the mois de la francophonie this March. Visit the Institut français website to sign up!
Read more...
16 March 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Calling all learners and lovers of German in the UK and Ireland! We invite you to look back at turning points from the past century of German – and therefore also European – history. Write a letter or diary entry imagining alternative developments and win one of three trips to Berlin and other exciting prizes!
The competition is open to learners and lovers of German of ALL levels! Jury members will be considering entries in several categories of language experience to ensure a fair assessment!
Exercises and recommended media to help students familiarise themselves with the theme of the competition are available to teachers and lecturers.
Visit the website for more information and submit entries by 3 May 2023.
Read more...
13 March 2023 (SCILT)
‘We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world.’ (Malala Yousafzai)
Are you looking for a way to engage your language learners to think about global issues and global citizenship? Our Words for the World competition could be just what you need! Returning for the 2022-23 school session, SCILT is challenging learners to use their words and their languages to show how the world could be a better place.
Participants are invited to use a language (or languages) other than English to show their ideas, hopes or even advice for our world. Submissions can be in any written format, for example a poem, an essay, a cartoon – be creative!
More information about the competition is available on our Words for the World webpage below. The entry deadline for entries is 24 March 2023.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Citizenship,
Language Skills,
Linguistic Diversity,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news,
LWS
9 March 2023 (SEET)
It’s our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! See the attached flyer for more information.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
Read more...
8 March 2023 (Institut français)
The Institut français partner, Frantastique, is offering a month of online French lessons to celebrate the Mois de la Francophonie! Don't miss this opportunity to improve your French! Visit the Institut français website to sign-up.
Read more...
6 March 2023 (NE Festival of Languages)
The North East Festival of Languages takes place throughout the month of March.
Whilst much of the programme is specifically for schools and communities residing in the North East of England, there are also resources and opportunities open to all, like the Yorùbá language and culture online taster on 11 March and exciting games and activities for language learners, such as the Escape Room challenge available for learners of French, German or Spanish.
Visit the website and check out what's available for your next language class!
Read more...
6 March 2023 (German Embassy)
If you know a truly outstanding German language teacher at your primary or secondary school – make sure that their dedication and excellence get the recognition they deserve!
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in London is pleased to invite nominations for the annual German Teacher Award, now in its 20th successful year. The winners of the Award will be announced in summer, they will receive a personal prize and a certificate.
Please note that only headteachers or heads of languages can nominate the German language teacher; unfortunately applications by German language teachers submitted by themselves and applications submitted by pupils cannot be accepted.
Visit the website for more information and submit nominations by 23 April 2023.
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2 March 2023 (Daily Record)
Pupils at a Lanarkshire nursery celebrated world Gaelic week with a range of activities and shared the language with a special visitor.
Youngsters at Sgoil Araich, the Gaelic-language nursery at Tollbrae Primary in Airdrie, welcomed Anum Qaisar MP to their classrooms during the celebration week.
She took part in a lesson on colours and saw the pupils perform a number of “fantastic” Gaelic songs.
The recent celebration week aims to raise the profile of Gaelic in communities across the country and internationally, with figures from last year estimating that nearly a third of Scotland’s population can speak Gaelic.
Read more...
Vive la Francophonie Quiz 2023
24 February 2023 (Institut français)
Test your French and learn more about the culture of the 88 countries which form the Francophonie! The focus of this year's quiz is Tunisia. Make the most of the Francophonie celebrations and get a chance to win books and other exciting prizes!
The quiz will be available online 18-26 March.
Visit the website for more information and to register to take part.
MTOT 2022-23 - Winners announced!
24 February 2023 (SCILT)
Pupils, teachers and special guests joined us online on 21 February to hear the winners of this year’s Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition. The date chosen for the event was significant being International Mother Language Day, a day to celebrate all world languages.
We are delighted to announce the following winners and highly commended entries in each category:
|
Mother Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Sofia Poliakova
|
West Primary
|
Russian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Jiya Srikanth
|
West Primary
|
Tamil
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Ariana Misankova
|
West Primary
|
Slovakian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Arina Fomenko
|
Williamsburgh PS
|
Russian-Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Nikola Arimovica
|
Valley Primary
|
Russian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Misha Levdykov
|
Kilbarchan Primary
|
Russian-Ukrainian
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Shadan Alousy
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Arabic
|
|
Highly commended
|
Eve Joshi
|
Bearsden Academy
|
Danish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lynn Januschke
|
Madras College
|
German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Michaela Mileva
|
St Joseph’s Academy
|
Bulgarian
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Oleksandra Lotytska
|
Rosshall Academy
|
Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lucia d’Alessio
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Italian
|
|
Other Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Mabel Sainsbury
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
P1 Class
|
Canaan Lane Primary
|
French
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Kathryn Morley
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Giles Leigh
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Masha Naumenko
|
Thorn Primary
|
Ukrainian
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Caitlin Anderson
|
Monifieth High
|
Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Laila Strokosch
|
Mearns Castle High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Molly Innes
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Zach Bartlett
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Jessica Smith
|
Monifieth High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Aiman Mohammad
|
Renfrew High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Aimee Carroll
|
Mintlaw Academy
|
German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Jessica Smith
|
Monifieth High
|
Spanish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Roux Scott
|
Loudoun Academy
|
Spanish
|
All our finalists will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also be offered the chance for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive and Kids Poetry Club podcast. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward.
This year we were also delighted to host a special strand of the competition focusing on Ukrainian languages. The winning entries in this category were:
- Primary – Arina Fomenko, Williamsburgh Primary
- Secondary – Dianna-Liza Boyckuk, Craigmount High
Teachers with students who entered in this category will be contacted separately regarding their awards.
It is our intention to host each of the finalists’ poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available.
Congratulations again to all our finalists!
23 February 2023 (The Herald)
Scotland is famous for many things, its scenery, its history, its people and of course, our distinct and vibrant culture.
Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) is a fantastic celebration of one of the most valuable aspects of our cultural heritage; our language. It helps recognise the role Gaelic plays in shaping our culture and raise awareness of the language with audiences the world over. We are hugely excited to be part of it and share this story with our visitors.
But this week is also a timely reminder of why we must preserve Gaelic for future generations, for our future visitors but also for the communities who use it.
Responsible tourism is at the heart of everything we do at VisitScotland, and this includes protecting Scotland’s culture and heritage. We recognise the importance of preserving those assets, which are so vital to Scotland’s brand and make Scotland so unique.
Gaelic and its rich culture provide an extra layer of authenticity for visitors with a unique experience you can only truly have in Scotland. This only strengthens the destination connection we know means so much to visitors.
Read more...
20 February 2023 (Institut français)
With the French Pop Video Competition, students get the chance to practice French in a very different and fun way. Not only do they improve their writing skills and enrich their vocabulary by creating their own lyrics, but they also practice their speaking skills while shooting the video and create lifelong memories related to their French class.
Open to all UK primary and secondary schools. Entries can be from a class, a small group or individuals.
Visit the website for full details and register to take part by 10 March.
Read more...
17 February 2023 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our spring 2023 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. This is a chance to showcase innovative projects, language learning celebrations or initiatives which took place towards the end of 2022 or so far in 2023 .
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 10th March 2023.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
3 February 2023 (Seachdain na Gàidhlig)
Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) aims to raise the profile of Gaelic through community initiatives, projects and events. It provides the opportunity for both Gaelic speakers and those without the language to take part in a way that suits them; here in Scotland and further afield.
Taking place 20-26 February 2023, the event seeks to celebrate Scottish Gaelic across the globe.
Visit the website for more information and discover how you can get involved.
Read more...
2 February 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Each month the Scottish Book Trust runs a writing competition providing a prompt to get you started, but where the story goes from there is entirely up to you. The competition includes four categories: adult writers, all-age Gaelic writers, young writers 5–11 and young writers 12–18.
This month's stories must include a fox and be no longer than 50 words. Visit the Scottish Book Trust website to enter by 28 February.
Read more...
2 February 2023 (Queen's College Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators competition aims to promote language learning across UK and inspire creativity in the modern languages classroom. Participation is free and entry criteria is as follows:
- For students of French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish in KS3-5.
- In addition to competition task, teachers receive up to 15 sets of resources for each language on translating poetry, fiction, non-fiction for use in build-up to competition.
- Deadline for competition entries: 3 April 2023.
- Winners selected for 10 geographical areas. National winners selected for each level in each language. All winners and commendations announced on our webpage.
Last year over 14,000 pupils across the UK took part and the feedback from teachers was enormously positive. Teachers can register to receive classroom resources and competition tasks on the Queen's College Oxford website or for more information contact translation.exchange@queens.ox.ac.uk.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
2 February 2023 (Japan Foundation)
Applications are now open for the Japan Foundation's new event, The Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK – also known as… JaLaChamp! JaLaChamp is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese, and consists of two categories: a speech category, and a video category where students are asked to create an original video.
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information.
Read more...
30 January 2022 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland is a celebration of language learning and multilingualism in Scotland. With only 3 weeks to go, Languages Week Scotland 2023 will take place from 30 January – 3 February and will be a week of activity across the country.
The theme for 2023 is “Languages for a peaceful world”. SCILT has put together lots of ideas to support you in celebrating Languages Week Scotland in your school. Visit the Languages Week Scotland website to find out more.
Read more...
24 January 2023 (Oxford German Network)
Round 2 of the Oxford German Olympiad 2023 is now open for entries. Round 1 and Round 2 are separate competitions. You may enter both, but do not need to have entered Round 1 in order to enter Round 2.
The competition is open to secondary students with a choice of two tasks for different age categories in the second round:
- TASK 1: Oxford German Network Essay or Video Task (ages 13-17)
- TASK 2: The White Rose Project: Creative translation (ages 16-18)
Visit the competition website for full details and submit entries by 12 noon on 9 March 2023.
Read more...
23 January 2023 (The Herald)
Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the principal public body in Scotland responsible for promoting Gaelic development, including providing advice to Scottish Ministers on Gaelic issues.
Amongst a range of functions, it produces the National Gaelic Language Plan for Ministerial approval, oversees the development and implementation of Gaelic Language Plans by Public Authorities, distributes funds for the development of the Gaelic language, provides leadership and advice in support of Gaelic language initiatives and initiates and implements other projects.
It also promotes Gaelic locally, nationally and internationally, with this work being informed by listening and reacting to the needs of communities.
[..] Thanks to support from Bòrd Na Gàidhlig, and huge interest from Gaelic speakers across Scotland and around the world, February 2023 sees the second official global Scottish Gaelic language week; Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) taking place through a series of in-person and online events.
Read more...
23 January 2023 (CinemaAttic)
The Catalan Film Festival returns to Scotland from 21 January to 15 February 2023.
The festival returns to our favourite Scottish cinemas with the addition of two new venues, as we partner with the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT), Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), CCA Glasgow, Summerhall, Traverse Theatre, Tapas3 and St Peter’s Church Hall Edinburgh, while maintaining an online window for Catalan art lovers across the UK and globally.
The bright, colourful programme of award winning Catalan films celebrated in the international circuit pays particular attention to diversity with a focus on great contemporary Catalan female directors.
Visit the Catalan Film Festival website for full programme details.
Read more...
19 January 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Are you someone with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? We're looking for our next Scots writer of the year.
Stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it's in Scots and under 2500 words or up to ten minutes. Open to Scots writers aged 11-18. Enter by 21 June 2023.
Read more...
16 January 2023 (British Council)
Practise and celebrate a language you are learning, or use in your community, and take part in a virtual festival of speaking!
Prepare a short poem, presentation, sketch or dialogue in the target language and upload to social media.
Visit the British Council website for more information.
Read more...
12 January 2023 (Institut français)
Since its launch in 2016 by the Institut français d’Ecosse, le Concours de la francophonie, a national school competition to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland enjoying French language, has been a great way of celebrating the international day of la francophonie.
Throughout the years, many schools across Scotland have taken part in the competition and we hope to receive great entries this year again!
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French. The theme of the competition this year is : “PLAY” - “JOUER” en français. Deadline extended to 31 January 2023.
Visit the Institut français website or see the attached flyer for more information.
Read more...
10 January 2023 (UKLO)
UKLO is a language-analysis competition for all ages. We create linguistics puzzles and run competitions for school children to encourage a lifelong interest in the world’s languages. The highest scoring students proceed through a couple more rounds of testing and coaching before we present them for the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) where they compete against other countries.
The competition is offered at four levels of difficulty for KS2 – KS5, and provides Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, as well as participation certificates, at each level.
Interested in taking part? Visit the UKLO website to find out more and to register.
Read more...
16 December 2022 (UWS)
The University of the West of Scotland (UWS), coupled with the Scottish Mathematical Council, is organising the world-wide Mathematics and Language competition “Mathématiques sans Frontières” in Scotland (and rUK). We are hopeful that we continue to offer a stimulating and light-hearted competition for S4-S6 pupils which combines Mathematics and Modern Languages. For those of you who have not taken part previously, this competition aims to motivate pupils in these subjects, promote teamwork throughout pupils of all abilities, and bridge borders between countries across the world.
Attached is a discovery training test for “Mathématiques Sans Frontières” alongside some more formal competition instructions, and an entry proforma for the competition. Entry deadline: 27 January 2023.
You can also find more information on the UWS Mathématiques sans Frontières website.
Read more...
15 December 2022 (British Council)
The British Council and QFI invite students to showcase their talents in the Arabic language at our 2023 Arabic Speaking Competition. The competition aims to:
- Raise the profile of Arabic as a modern world language
- Increase student’s motivation for learning Arabic
- Develop vocabulary and improve pronunciation and speaking skills
- Raise confidence for oral examinations
- Inspire students to discover more about Arab cultures
- To celebrate the skills of young people who are studying Arabic language
Students will participate virtually and be judged by a panel of fluent Arabic speakers.
Visit the British Council website for full guidance and to register participants by 16 January 2023.
Read more...
11 December 2022 (The Herald)
The Herald has long backed Scottish writers, whether writing in Scots or 'standard' English. In recent years, young Scots poet and Herald columnist Len Pennie has popularised the language via her online Scots Word of the Day. And, of course, we run a Scots Word of the Week each Saturday from our friends at the Dictionaries of the Scots Language.
So we are delighted to get behind annual McCash Scots Poetry Competition, run jointly by The Herald and Glasgow University.
The contest celebrates our traditional language in all its forms, and aims to support it. This year a first prize of £200 and three runner-up prizes of £100 are to be won. Poets can submit material on any theme of their choice.
Read more...
CISS Chinese New Year Poster Competition 2023
8 December 2022 (CISS)
CISS is delighted to announce a poster competition for primary schools to celebrate the forthcoming Year of the Rabbit!
Deadline for entries: Friday 13 January 2023
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ENTRY - entries submitted by email will not be accepted.
The competition is open to all primary schools in Scotland.
DETAILS:
Design a poster to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit!
Entries will be judged against the criteria below. Please submit a high quality photo or scan of each entry.
Please make sure posters include:
- The rabbit
- Mandarin Chinese language/characters
- The year 2023
The winning entry will receive a prize and be featured online, and the poster will be used as the CISS Chinese New Year e-card!
6 December 2022 (Durham University)
The Centre for Foreign Language Study at Durham University has launched a competition to all UK learners of French, from Key Stage 4 to Higher Education.
The purpose of the contest is to provide an opportunity for learners of French to use the language creatively while promoting the study of French. In a digital age of short messages and tweets, we therefore want to invite participants to combine French, creativity and succinctness to design a slogan of their own on the themes of “le français: une nouvelle langue, une nouvelle culture, un nouveau monde”.
More information and full competition criteria can be found on the Durham University website. Submission deadline: 6 March 2023.
Read more...
1 December 2022 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!
Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages in Scotland, including the most recent round of Scottish Languages Employability Awards, our professional learning opportunities, motivating competitions and our support for newly arrived people from Ukraine. Find out how schools celebrated European Day of Languages 2022, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition of the newsletter you can read the submission guidelines on our website, and email your entries to SCILT.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
1+2,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
1 December 2022 (SCILT)
Are you looking for ways to bring the festive season to your languages classroom?
SCILT have compiled a range of online resources for use with your learners, from interactive advent calendars and games, to festive facts and downloadable worksheets. Find out how Christmas is celebrated in France, Germany, Spain and many other places around the world!
Read more...
22 November 2022 (Scottish Gaelic Awards)
Nominations for the 2023 Scottish Gaelic Awards are now open!
The Awards reward all aspects of the Gaelic language and culture across the length and breadth of the country.
Visit the website for more information on the award categories and submit nominations by 8 January 2023.
Read more...
22 November 2022 (SEET)
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) runs language learning and global citizenship projects for children and young people across Scotland. Euroquiz is an annual project open to all P6 pupils across Scotland, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, culture and European affairs. Heats take place in local authorities from February to April, with the winning teams from all areas progressing to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in June.
To enter your team, please complete the Registration Form for schools and return to your local authority Euroquiz organiser. All schools in Scotland will receive this information directly from their local authority organiser. If you have not received a form, or do not know who your local organiser is, please get in touch with SEET: jane@seet.org.uk
We recently provided a CLPL session for interested teachers. Please find a full recording of the event here: https://youtu.be/un8iL3wN7-s
A downloadable flyer for schools is also attached.
More information about Euroquiz available on SEET's website or by emailing jane@seet.org.uk.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations
15 November 2022 (Institut français)
The French Pop Video Competition is a national competition organised by Francophonie UK in association with the Institut français du Royaume-Uni and supported by TV5Monde.
The competition encourages students to engage with French in a creative way. UK primary and secondary school students can work individually or in groups to create a song in French and shoot a video.
The deadline to submit entries is 1 May 2023.
Once videos have been received regional winners will be selected based on the quality of the lyrics and music, and the originality of video. Regional winners’ music videos will then enter the national competition. Winners of the national competition will be announced during the week of 21 June (World Music Day!).
Visit the competition website for more information and to register to take part.
Read more...
Concours de la Francophonie 2023
11 November 2022 (Institut français)
Institut français d’Ecosse is proud to announce its 2023 edition of Concours de la Francophonie, a school competition at national level aiming at developing communicative skills in French. The theme this year is 'PLAY' ('JOUER' in French) and there will be winners for each category : P1/P4 - P5/P7 - S1/S3 - S4/S6. Enter by 13 January 2023.
For more information see the attached flyer or contact : ife.francophonie@gmail.com
10 November 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
The annual celebration of books and reading across the country takes place 14–20 November. During Book Week, people of all ages and walks of life come together to share the joy of reading.
This year's stories have been shared on the Scottish Book Trust website and a handful of their favourites compiled in a free book. With the event focusing on 'Scotland's Stories' you'll find several told in Scots and Gaelic.
Visit the Book Week Scotland website to discover the events taking place across the week and activities and resources to help you get involved.
Read more...
25 October 2022 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival 2022 Learning Programme, offering a selection of films for schools free of charge, is now live!
Check out and download the programme of films for all ages. The programme runs until Christmas.
Simply choose your titles, complete the booking form, then create your account to have free access to all the films and learning packs that go with them.
For more information contact schools@frenchfilmfestival.org.uk or visit the French Film Festival website.
Read more...
20 October 2022 (King's College London)
The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at King’s College London is delighted to announce this year’s German writing competition for students in Year 12 or 13 (S5 or S6 in Scotland).
The competition invites students to submit an original piece of writing in German on the topic 'Wie bewältigen wir die Klimakrise?'
Entries should be 400-450 words in length and written in German.
Visit the website for more information and submit entries by 23 November 2022.
Read more...
20 October 2022 (World Gaelic Week)
World Gaelic Week will be celebrating Scottish Gaelic across the globe 20-26 February 2023. Our NEW Small Grants Fund is now open and can help you organise an event or project in your community. And, we’re hiring - come and join us and get on board!
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
AMOPA: Parlons français - A competition for students of AH French
11 October 2022 (AMOPA)
Now that school life is back to a “new normal” AMOPA is once again running the Parlons français competition.
“It must be the easiest competition ever to take part in!” That’s a quote from a teacher and it’s true!
All we need is a short recording of students as they prepare for their speaking test. We will assess it and give everyone some feedback. We also award prizes and certificates.
We hope that taking part supports your pupils’ learning and exam preparation and is not a distraction. They are practising anyway – why not let them get some feedback on that?
As in previous years we will have prizes for the best entries, a certificate for every entrant and a gift for each school taking part too. In the last few years all schools were given a DVD of a French film.
More information is available in the attached pdf document. Entry deadline: 15 February 2023.
10 October 2022 (Institut français)
The Institut français du Royaume-Uni is delighted to launch the French Teacher Award. This new national prize recognises remarkable success of French language teachers and highlights, honours and thanks their hard work and commitment to encourage the teaching of French in primary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom.
So if you've been teaching French for several years and think your hard work and efforts to promote the love of the language should be recognised, or have a French-language teaching colleague whose great work should be valued, register now for the French Teacher Award! Deadline to apply: 28 October 2022.
Visit the website for full details.
Read more...
7 October 2022 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our winter 2022 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. This is a chance to showcase innovative projects, language learning celebrations or initiatives which took place towards the end of last session or so far in the 2022/23 session.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 21st October 2022.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
FilmG competitions 2022
6 October 2022 (FilmG)
FilmG is an annual Gaelic short film festival which aims to foster and develop new talent for Gaelic media. Now in its 15th edition, the FilmG festival is this year offering two competitions, both focusing on this year's theme 'Buidhe (Yellow)'. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
4 October 2022 (BBC)
Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Perth later this month for the Royal National Mòd.
Scotland's annual festival of Gaelic language, culture and sport is returning to the city for the first time in 18 years.
City leaders are preparing for an influx of about 7,500 people for the eight-day event, predicted to be worth £1m to the local economy.
It begins on 14 October with a torchlit procession and an opening concert.
The Mòd will feature more than 200 competitions in music, dancing, storytelling and sport. For the first time it will also feature an art contest this year.
Read more...
3 October 2022 (Queen's College Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators competition aims to promote language learning across the UK and to inspire creativity in the classroom. By providing teachers with tools to bring translation to life, and to introduce more authentic texts into the classroom, we hope to motivate more pupils to study modern foreign languages throughout their schooling and beyond.
Schools can register interest in the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2022-23. You will receive creative translation resources for five languages (French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish) and competition tasks. The resources will be made available in September 2022, January 2023, February 2023, and the competition window will be open from mid-February until the end of March 2023.
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
30 September 2022 (SCILT)
We are delighted to announce the national roll-out of Le Foot et La Francophonie 2022-23! Following a successful pilot project with four Glasgow schools last session, we have now opened registrations for expressions of interest in Le Foot et La Francophonie 2022-23. This interdisciplinary project brings together French and professional football, opening learners’ eyes to the relevance of language learning in the world of international sports, focussing on the four core language skills and building awareness of cultures in French-speaking countries across the globe. To find out more and to register your interest in this competition, which is open to pupils in S2 and S3, please visit the SCILT website.
An initial information session for teachers will take place on Thursday 3 November (3.45 - 4.45pm) and schools will be asked to confirm their participation by Friday 11 November.
Read more...
29 September 2022 (SCILT)
A reminder that schools interested in taking part in this year’s MTOT competition have until 6 October (National Poetry Day) to register. The competition provides a great opportunity for all pupils in Scotland P1-S6 to get creative with a language they speak at home (Mother Tongue) or are learning at school (Other Tongue). Students can even enter in both categories!
Read more...
29 September 2022 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. It aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone.
SCILT would love to find out how schools across Scotland marked the day, and plan to share the celebrations through our EDL 2022 blog. If you would like us to include your activities, please submit a description and a few photos through this link, or email us with a description of your activities and a few photos.
Read more...
26 September 2022 (ECML)
26 September 2022 marks the 21st anniversary of the European Day of Languages.
On the occasion of the Day, the Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić stated that "The European Day of Languages is a celebration of the rich tapestry of languages which make our continent so special. Linguistic diversity is our cultural heritage. It helps us appreciate difference and helps us understand that diversity is our strength. Let us value all languages in Europe."
Read more...
26 September 2022 (Oxford German Network)
The Oxford German Olympiad 2023 is now open for entries! It was launched 26 September 2022, the European Day of Languages.
This year's topic: KOCHKUNST - BACKLUST - ESSKULTUR (The Art of Cooking, Joy of Baking and Culture of Eating).
The competition is open to primary and secondary learners of German, with further categories for group or class entries as well as those with no prior experience of studying the language. So there's something for everyone!
Visit the Oxford German Olympiad website for full competition details and guidelines. Closing date for all entries is Thursday 9 March 2023, at 12 noon.
Read more...
22 September 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT and CISS presented a poster competition aimed at S2-S3 learners, to design the contents of their own time capsule – past or present – to join in with the celebration of Glasgow Doors Open Day 2022.
Secondary learners from across Scotland took part in the competition which provided a fantastic opportunity to share their cultural heritage, demonstrate their creativity, and showcase their language skills, both learned at school and used at home.
Congratulations to our winners, Abby Slack, S3 learner from Mearns Castle High School who won the ‘past’ category and to Emerald Li, S3 learner from Mearns Castle High School who won the ‘present’ category.
They were awarded with a £30 voucher and their work was featured in The Ramshorn exhibition as part of Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival on 16 and 17 September 2022. Well done to everyone who took part in this competition, the judging panel were impressed by all entries received and hope that you will participate again next year!
Find out more about the competition on our website.
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland - save the date!
22 September 2022 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland is a celebration of language learning and multilingualism in Scotland. Now in its fifth year, Languages Week Scotland 2023 will take place from 30 January – 3 February and will be a week of activity across the country.
The theme for 2023 is “Languages for a peaceful world”. Language skills build trust and deepen diplomatic and cultural relations between countries and cultures; they allow for an appreciation that other cultures have different ways of doing things, building social cohesion and improving social mobility. Language skills facilitate in the individual the development of a wide spectrum of soft-skills and attributes including communication, diplomacy, negotiation and empathy[1].
Languages Week Scotland 2023 aims to celebrate how languages – spoken and signed – equip us as individuals and as a society to contribute to a peaceful world. Educational establishments, community-based groups, arts and sports organisations, social enterprises and businesses – large and small – are invited to engage with the week. Follow the hashtag #ScotlandLovesLanguages and the dedicated Twitter account @LangsWeekScot.
9 September 2022 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society)
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, in partnership with SCILT, ran the second iteration of the Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize in 2022. This prize was established in honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community.
Pupils from across Scotland took part in the competition, which provides a fantastic opportunity for AH French candidates to showcase their French writing skills in a national competition. The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize mirrors elements of the writing marking guidelines for AH French and offers pupils an opportunity to compete for a first-place prize of £500 and recognition on a national stage.
Candidates produced some very high quality essays. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held by Zoom on Tuesday 31 May 2022. A recording of this, along with a list of the winning entries, is now available on the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland website.
This session’s competition will be launched before Christmas and registration for schools will open in January 2023. For more information, please visit our webpage.
Read more...
6 September 2022 (The Courier)
Scotland’s traditional culture music and arts organisation Hands Up For Trad have published the public’s nominees for 2022’s top Scots language champions.
The public now have until Sunday September 18 to see who’s set to take home the ultimate award in the sparkling ceremony on Saturday September 24.
Scots culture and language will be celebrated at Dundee’s Gardyne Theatre alongside performers including live music from Bath Malcom, Robyn Stapleton, poet Hamish MacDonald, and comedian Bruce Fummey.
The awards have recognised local heroes and teachers alongside well known celebrities such as comedian Janey Godley and singer Iona Fyfe.
All 12 prizes, plus the prestigious Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award, will be presented by social media star and poet Len Pennie and broadcaster and columnist Alistair Heather, and live streamed to international audiences.
Simon Thoumire of organisers Hands Up For Trad said: “I’m thrilled by the growth of our ongoing campaign for Scots Language, to be holding our live event in Dundee again, a community which has supported the campaign from day one, and at the calibre of this year’s brilliant nominees for the 2022’s Scots Language Awards.”
Read more...
2 September 2022 (SCILT / CISS)
The Ramshorn, home of SCILT and CISS, will open its doors to the public for the very first time at Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 September 2022, to bring you ‘Ramshorn in Flux’.
During your visit, you can expect to see our new exhibition area to give you a taste of the Ramshorn’s history, renovation and current uses of the building that supports, promotes and celebrates all languages. Work created by young people in Scotland’s secondary schools will feature throughout the exhibition highlighting the changing place of The Ramshorn in the community and will put a spotlight on the use of language skills, both learned at school and used at home.
Take a look behind the scenes at the most recent renovation project and book a free guided tour with us to secure your place. Spaces are limited, therefore we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Interactive workshops in lantern making and Chinese bookmark making will be available during both days. These activities are suitable for all ages and booking is not required.
The Ramshorn is a category A-listed building in the Merchant City, built between 1824-26, and designed by English architect Thomas Rickman in the Gothic Revival style. Come and join us as we take you on a journey and introduce you to the fascinating history of the former ‘Ramshorn Kirk’ and surrounding graveyard. You will also be able to explore the graveyard by completing our digital trail. Created by young people in Glasgow City schools, the trail is available in 10 languages.
Free of charge and open to all ages. We hope to see you there!
Read more...
26 August 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce the return of Mother Tongue Other Tongue, our multilingual poetry competition!
MTOT gives young people of all ages P1 – S6 the opportunity to showcase their language skills and creative talent. Over the years this competition has uncovered a wealth of talented young linguists: they have created songs, rhymes and poems that are unique, funny, clever, emotive and moving. Young people are asked to create an original poem/song/rap in a language other than English: this can be a language spoken at home, or a language they are learning at school. To enter, the poem should be recorded (audio or video) and sent to us along with a completed entry form.
Winning entries will receive a range of prizes, including the opportunity to have their poem included in the UK National Children’s Poetry Archive, as well as featuring in a dedicated episode of the international Kids Poetry Club podcast. This year we are highlighting the Ukrainian language, with a special prize on offer for entries from Ukrainian speakers.
Schools are invited to register interest by 6 October 2022 (National Poetry Day). Visit the MTOT webpage for more information.
We look forward to seeing another generation of young poets find their voice!
Read more...
26 August 2022 (SCILT)
After the success last session of Espacios Increíbles, our inter-disciplinary learning competition combining Spanish and design, we're delighted to announce Espacios Increíbles 2022-23 is back! After last year’s hotly contested final, we know our previous competitors are keen to take part again this year and try to claim the Espacios Increíbles crown from Kinross High School but we’d like to up the stakes even more and get more schools involved. Any school from across Scotland can take part in this national competition, aimed at S2 and S3 learners of Spanish.
The Espacios Increíbles webpage has been updated with information on previous events and winners along with videos featuring some of our guest speakers at the final. Take a look to see what they had to say about their languages experience, find out more about this year's competition and register your interest in taking part.
Read more...
25 August 2022 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. Now in its 21st year, it aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. What is your school doing in 2022?
If you're looking for inspiration, SCILT has compiled lots of ideas for primary, secondary and parents & families on our EDL webpage. Perhaps creating a scavenger hunt, taking a virtual city tour, or designing languages stones? You will also find links to competitions, blogs and websites with a huge range of celebration ideas and activities.
Let us know how you celebrate and we'll include you in our EDL 2022 blog. Upload a short description and some colourful photos or email scilt@strath.ac.uk.
If you're sharing your celebrations on Twitter tag @scottishcilt and use the hashtag #coeEDL to share your celebrations with schools across Europe!
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Cultural Diversity,
Europe,
Language Learning,
Language Skills,
Linguistic Diversity,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
23 August 2022 (SEET)
Our World, the languages and citizenship based filmmaking project for secondary school pupils, is now open for registration!
SEET staff are now offering a CLPL session for teachers to help them feel more confident in taking on Our World with their class. They also offer online school visits for schools who are interested in taking part. These are aimed at pupils participating in the project.
Visit the Our World website for full details.
Read more...
18 August 2022 (ECML)
The European Day of Languages t-shirt contest is now open for submissions for the 2023 edition.
Send in your design/image/graphic by 31 December 2022 for your chance to have your layout on the official 2023 EDL T-Shirt! Bear in mind the design should be about languages, not countries, so avoid using flags or similar.
Visit the ECML website for full details.
Read more...
16 August 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT’s CLPL menu for the new session is available for bookings.
If you are looking for high quality professional learning related to languages pedagogy for groups of experienced colleagues, newly qualified or student teachers in your school, cluster, local authority or RIC, then look no further.
Note that open access workshops will be scheduled across the year for individual bookings. Find out more information about the first online and open access series of 2022-23.
Always interactive, SCILT menu workshops give you the opportunity to explore practice through exemplification and discussion with colleagues.
Primary
- Engaging parents with languages in the primary and early years
- Cultural contexts: an engaging approach to primary language learning
- Get multilingual with DYW in your primary classroom
- Active assessment in primary languages
- Multilingual approaches to primary pedagogy
Secondary
- Policy, planning and practice in BGE (in partnership with Education Scotland)
- Emerging contexts for language learning
- Tackling controversial issues in challenging times
- Talking and listening
- Using language skills across the curriculum
For more detail about the menu workshops and to book for a group follow the link below.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
1+2,
1+2,
Careers,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Policy,
Promoting Languages,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news,
Family learning
23 August 2022 (GCHQ)
We are running a National Language Competition from 7-11 November 2022 aimed at Year 9 [England/Wales], Year 10 [Northern Ireland] and S3 [Scotland] pupils across the UK. Schools can enter teams of up to four pupils from these year groups to take part. Over the course of five days, teams will score points by tackling a variety of fun, immersive, language-themed challenges hosted on a virtual platform. These will range from easy to difficult, and will involve a mix of different languages, and even made-up languages!
Visit the website for more information and to register to take part.
Read more...
22 July 2022 (The Herald)
The Scottish Government wants Scotland to be “the best place for British Sign Language (BSL) users to live, work, learn and visit”.
Since the introduction of the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, the everyday lives of Scottish deaf people have certainly improved, but there is still work to be done. Edinburgh is a world-renowned festival city, yet to date the access for deaf people to this cultural event has been patchy and unco-ordinated.
As a deaf BSL user, my overriding memory of the Fringe is one of feeling overwhelmed, but wanting to be part of it all. Deaf Action, where I have been CEO since 2017, wants to change this.
We have been a pioneering force at the forefront of the community for nearly 190 years and don’t do things by halves, so just making the festival season accessible with the add-on provision of captions and BSL/English interpreters didn’t feel enough.
Instead, we’ve added an extra dimension to this year’s season – the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, which takes place from 12-19 August 2022; a week of deaf culturally-specific events alongside an accessible festival season.
Read more...
16 June 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scotland’s Young Makars is a creative writing project for young poets of secondary school age in Scotland. It aims to enable young people to write, understand and engage with poetry in a wide variety of styles and forms.
The project offers free online poetry workshops and mentoring, culminating in six young makars reading their work on stage at Stanza in March 2023.
Visit the Stanza website for more information and to register interest.
Read more...
9 June 2022 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation, with categories for young people (14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under) as well as an open category for adults. All entrants must be UK or Irish citizens or residents, or pupils at a British School overseas. Translate into English any poem from any language – ranging from Arabic to Uzbek, from Danish to Somali—and win cash prizes!
Spotlight prize
Our Spotlight Prize encourages young people to engage with community languages. Our focus for 2022 is Romanian.
Open for entries from 4 May until midnight on Friday 15 July, visit the competition website for more details on how to enter, to meet the judges, and to explore the different prize categories!
Read more...
Le Foot et la Francophonie
31 May 2022 (SCILT)
Congratulations to Lourdes Secondary School, winners of SCILT’s inaugural edition of Le Foot et la Francophonie!
Le Foot has generated huge enthusiasm in the four Glasgow schools involved in the pilot project. During the autumn of 2021, teachers of French at Knightswood Secondary School, Lourdes Secondary School, Shawlands Academy and St. Roch’s Secondary School, supported by staff from SCILT, produced some high quality teaching materials based on football and the French-speaking world. To ensure that this project was truly interdisciplinary, all stakeholders collaborated on a guidance document outlining benchmarks, experiences and outcomes from Modern Languages, Physical Education and Health and Wellbeing curricular areas. They were supported in this endeavour by input from Physical Education staff in their respective schools, as well as by Cara Lamb, who leads the PGDE Secondary Physical Education course at the University of Strathclyde.
In January, Le Foot was rolled out in S2 classrooms and on school playing fields. Engagement among pupils who had previously shown limited interest in languages was particularly evident, with one of the teachers involved noting that this was “French disguised as football”! The outstanding resources produced and shared by each school cover the four core skills of reading, listening, talking and writing, encompassing the Francophone world and including strong anti-racism messages. Just as importantly, the 750 pupils who took part learned of the relevance of languages to a range of careers in professional sports – an area in which many have a keen interest.
The competitive final took place at the University of Strathclyde on 12 May. The event involved teams of pupils from each of the schools, together with classmates who came along to support them. On the panel of judges were Cédric Moreau (Subject Leader for French, University of Strathclyde), Lisa Hanna (Depute Director, SCILT), Jordan Allison (Head of Charity, Kilmarnock FC) and Mark Cunningham (final-year student in Spanish and Education, and qualified football coach). After presenting a football-themed video in French, the teams performed football drills, which included commands in French. They then heard video messages from John Collins, Christophe Berra and Ismaila Soro, before the winner’s announcement saw Lourdes Secondary School claim the trophy, together with a visit to Hampden Park, where the winning team will be given a French-focussed tour of the stadium and the Scottish Football Museum.
Watch this space for information on Le Foot et la Francophonie being rolled out nationally in 2022-23, together with further details on how your school can get involved.
25 May 2022 (The Children's Poetry Archive)
The Children’s Poetry Archive is a place where you can listen to poems read out loud. There are poems read by the poets who wrote them as well as poems which other people have recorded.
SCILT is delighted that The Children's Poetry Archive has uploaded a collection of the winners of this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition. Why not listen to the winning poems on the Archive's website?
Read more...
13 May 2022 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!
Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning opportunities, our motivating competitions and our online classes and events. Find out how schools celebrated Languages Week Scotland 2022, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
This edition also features a special article from Mandy Reeman-Clark, who reflects on 18 years at SCILT and CISS on the occasion of her retirement.
If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition of the newsletter you can read the submission guidelines on our website, and email your entries to SCILT.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
1+2,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
9 May 2022 (Babel Magazine)
This year's competition for a young linguist to be published in Babel and win a year's subscription is now open!
Guidelines below:
- Deadline: Wednesday 31 August 2022
- Length: No more than 2,500 words
- Topic: Any topic to do with languages and linguistics – accessible and interesting for Babel readers
- Format: Word file
- Submission: Email to babelthelanguagemagazine@gmail.com
Examples of former winning entries can be found on the Babel website.
Read more...
5 May 2022 (Daily Record)
Three high school students from Linlithgow Academy were declared West Lothian’s ‘Languagenut champions’ - awarded by a national language learning resource company.
The language education company, Languagenut, ran the competition regionally in both Glasgow and West Lothian throughout the month of March.
The Languagenut resource is accessible to students via an app or website, and supports young people in learning a modern language.
Read more...
4 May 2022 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation, with categories for young people (14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under) as well as an open category for adults. All entrants must be UK or Irish citizens or residents, or pupils at a British School overseas. Translate into English any poem from any language – ranging from Arabic to Uzbek, from Danish to Somali—and win cash prizes!
Open for entries from 4 May until midnight on Friday 15 July, visit the competition website for more details on how to enter, to meet the judges, and to explore the different prize categories!
Read more...
3 May 2022 (Durham University)
UK learners of French, from National 5 upwards, are invited to invent a slogan in French on the themes of ‘le français et moi’ and ‘apprendre le français’. Make it catchy, concise and creative with an accompanying image.
Visit the Durham University website for more information and submit entries by 23 May 2022.
Read more...
Writing projects and competitions
19 April 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
The Scottish Book Trust currently has open projects and competitions for aspiring writers! Follow the relevant link below to find out more about each one:
- Young Scots Writer of the Year Award - Open to ages 11-18. Writing should be in Scots, whether you write a story, poem, play, song or make a short video.
- Your Stories: Scotland's Stories - Category for under-16s as well as adults. Write about real life experiences. Entries can be in any form you like – a story, poem, comic strip, play, video, audio file, or letter. Entries welcome in Gaelic, Scots and English.
Both competitions have deadlines in June 2022.
If you need some inspiration, try some of the creative tasks on the StoryCon webpage. StoryCon is Scotland's biggest creative writing and illustration conference for young people which returned in March this year. Recordings of events are available online for a limited time.
1 April 2022 (SCILT)
We're delighted to announce the entries from all the finalists of this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition can now be viewed on the SCILT website.
For the first time judges awarded some special commendations for entries which very narrowly missed making the final shortlist and we have some of these also available online.
We hope many of you will be inspired to take part when the 2022-23 edition launches in the Autumn!
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Linguistic Diversity,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
21 March 2022 (The Herald)
When it comes to Scottish tourism, castles, lochs, wildlife and whisky are usually touted as the main attractions.
But over the last few years interest has been growing in a different aspect of the country’s culture – the Gaelic language.
VisitScotland has seen a 72 per cent rise in website visitors seeking out Gaelic content over the last four years, with a particular peak during the 2020 lockdown.
And now the language is being viewed as an important part of the sector’s future as it looks to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
This week sees the country celebrate the first ever World Gaelic Week (Seachdain na Gàidhlig), with VisitScotland using the event to highlight the significant role the language plays in tourism and events.
Read more...
15 March 2022 (Seachdain na Gàidhlig)
Gaelic week is the first culture and language week for Gaelic that will be held all over the country.
The week promotes Gaelic to all, both at official events and community initiatives, such as Irish Language Week in Ireland and Gaelic Awareness Month in Nova Scotia. It will enable Gaelic speakers and non-speakers to participate in a variety of ways that suit them; both in Scotland and abroad.
Visit the website for more information and see how you can get involved.
Read more...
8 March 2022 (Francophonie UK)
To celebrate the International Francophonie Day on Sunday 20 March 2022, the Francophonie Groupe UK is again launching the quiz Vive la Francophonie!
Every year this quiz allows thousands of people in the UK to test their knowledge on the Francophone world in a fun way. In 2022, a special focus will be given to France.
Open to all learners and speakers of French in the UK, including UK primary and secondary schools, the quiz will be available from Sunday 20 March 2022 to Friday 25 March 2022.
The quiz will be available in two categories:
- a school-aged appropriate version (30 questions for KS2 and KS3)
- a version for the general public (65 questions for KS4, KS5 and adults)
Two winners will be selected in each category after Friday 25 March 2022.
Register now to receive the quiz on 20 March and get onboard to try to win exciting prizes!
Read more...
4 March 2022 (Migration in Education)
We invite pupils and teachers to participate in this exciting competition that explores how we teach and learn about migration — creatively and with empathy. We live in a world that sees many people on the move, and our pupils may have been part of these experiences themselves. In schools, migration may make the topic of creative projects and classroom activities — a unique opportunity for pupils to learn from each other and about each other.
Through this competition, we want to bring forward the best and most creative ideas on teaching and learning about migrations in Scottish schools. We would like to hear about your teaching activities/practices and/or activities that may enable conversations about migration in schools – from language learning, literature, history, to personal experiences. The competition aims to acknowledge and make visible the cultural and linguistic diversity of Scottish primary and secondary schools. The purpose of this competition is to explore how to raise awareness and learn about migration, and move conversations beyond narrow and often negative stereotypes. We advocate and understand migration as a multifaceted and omnipresent fact of life, and hope that the submissions for this competition will reflect this vision.
Visit the competition webpage for more information and submit entries by 25 April 2022.
Read more...
2 March 2022 (Consejería de Educación)
The Spanish Embassy Education Office is delighted to announce the call for nominations towards the Best Spanish student award 9th edition (for S6 students, in the case of Scotland).
If you have any students in your school who meet the criteria and that you would like to nominate for the award, check the information on the website.
The award consists of a three-day trip (two nights) to Castilla y León for two people, including transport, accommodation and meals.
Deadline for submitting nominations: 15th of May 2022.
Read more...
1 March 2022 (Alliance Française)
The 27th edition of International Francophonie Week/La semaine de la Francophonie takes place 12-20 March!
Looking for ideas to celebrate the richness and diversity of the French language? The Alliance Française along with the Institut français have a selection of special events on-site and online to honour the French Language and Francophone cultures.
Visit the Alliance Française website for more details.
Read more...
26 February 2022 (Daily Record)
Youngsters at a Paisley Primary school have been celebrating the many different cultures of pupils by taking part in a top poetry competition which celebrates different languages from across the globe.
Three pupils from West Primary were selected for the final of the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition, which encourages children to share their experiences of their families culture and traditions in their families.
Sabina Rodrigues De La Rosa, Tanazzal Shah and Sabihah Tubasem were picked by judges for their poems written about their home countries which the school used to help teach their classmates about the variety of cultures within the school.
Read more...
22 February 2022 (University of Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2022 is now open! Teachers from all over the UK can submit their students' translations of poetry, fiction and non-fiction in French, German, Italian [new!], Mandarin and Spanish, covering all year groups at secondary school from age 11 to 18. Submission deadline is 8 April 2022.
Visit the competition website for more information and to register interest.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
MTOT 2021-22 - Winners announced!
21 February 2022 (SCILT)
Our awards event to announce the winning entries from this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition was held online today, to coincide with International Mother Language Day. It was a great celebration of the languages being spoken and learned in Scotland and we're delighted to announce the winners and highly commended runners-up in each category as follows:
|
Mother Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Simon Cronje
|
Netherlee PS
|
Afrikaans
|
|
Highly commended
|
Fabian Choromanski
|
Gallowhill PS
|
Polish
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Sabihah Tubasem
|
West Primary
|
Urdu
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lovelyn Asare
|
St Catherine’s PS
|
Italian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Sabina Rodrigues da Rosa
|
West Primary
|
Brazilian Portuguese
|
|
Highly commended
|
Tanazzal Shah
|
West Primary
|
Urdu
|
|
Highly commended
|
Zamin Amjad Sheikh
|
Netherlee PS
|
Urdu
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Melice Monga Lubengi
|
Lourdes Secondary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Marcel Zuk & Oskar Kolodziej
|
St Thomas of Aquin’s
|
Polish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Helen Joseph
|
Lourdes Secondary
|
Malaylam
|
|
Highly commended
|
Sarah Alradi
|
Craigmount High
|
Arabic
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Regina Wyllie
|
Loudoun Academy
|
Bulgarian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Camran Kouhy
|
Madras College
|
Farsi
|
|
Highly commended
|
Wiktoria Sapko
|
St Andrew’s Secondary
|
Polish
|
|
Other Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Hayley Cowe
|
Westhill PS
|
Doric
|
|
Highly commended
|
P2 Class
|
Newcraighall PS
|
Spanish
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Lucia Conetta
|
Glasgow Academy
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Malaika Ali
|
Golfhill PS
|
Urdu
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Grace Ross
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Deepak Kumaar
|
Craigmount High
|
French & German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Caitlin Fraser
|
Arran High
|
French
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Brooklynn Faichnie
|
Aboyne Academy
|
French, Spanish & Italian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Iona Kellas
|
Aboyne Academy
|
Latin
|
|
Highly commended
|
Charlotte Reynolds
|
Aboyne Academy
|
Russian
|
All pupils will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also receive a trophy as well as the opportunity for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive and Kids Poetry Club podcast. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward. This year also saw a special award sponsored by the Dictionaries of the Scots Language for entries in Scots, which was awarded to Hayley Cowe, our P1-P4 Other Tongue winner!
It is our intention to host each of these poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available.
Congratulations again to all our finalists!
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news
21 February 2022 (ALL/British Council)
There's still time to practise and celebrate a language you are learning, or use in your community, and take part in a virtual festival of speaking! Individuals or groups are invited to prepare and record a short poem, presentation, sketch or dialogue in the target language and share on social media by 28 February 2022.
Full details can be found in the ALLNet E-bulletin Special.
Read more...
17 February 2022 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our spring 2022 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. This is a chance to showcase innovative projects, language learning celebrations or initiatives which took place in late 2021 or so far in 2022.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 11th March 2022.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
17 February 2022 (Seachdain na Gàidhlig)
‘Seachdain na Gàidhlig’, is the first official nationwide language and culture week to be held in Scotland, from 21-27 March 2022.
The week promotes Gaelic to all, both at official events and community initiatives, such as Irish Language Week in Ireland and Gaelic Awareness Month in Nova Scotia. It will enable Gaelic speakers and non-speakers to participate in a variety of ways that suit them; both in Scotland and abroad.
Visit the website for more information or see the flyer for ways to get involved.
Read more...
8 February 2022 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2022. To celebrate this milestone CISS is launching an interdisciplinary competition for secondary students across the nation to showcase their business, design and language skills.
We have set two categories which students can choose from and encourage school departments - be that business, design technology or languages - to support and encourage interested students as they develop their pitch.
See the attached flyer and visit the competition webpage for more information. Submit entries by 27 May 2022.
Read more...
1 February 2022 (Japan Foundation)
This is a brand-new event for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese in the UK organised by the Japan Foundation, London.
The world is currently changing very quickly. Technology is advancing, and nowadays if you have a computer or a smartphone you can send a message to anyone in the world. In a time like this, we should always have the following questions in our mind: “What message do I want to convey and how?” It is important for us to deliver messages clearly and easily for others to understand.
This event is a contest for young Japanese learners in the UK to use their Japanese and make a video on a topic provided. You can apply individually or as part of a group.
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information and apply to take part by 3 May 2022.
Read more...
1 February 2022 (StampIT)
Create a written or video presentation linked to postage stamps. Open to ages 5-15 worldwide. Choose a stamp that inspires you and find out about the person, place, animal or object on the stamp. We encourage you to include some elements in a second language to your own.
Winners in each age group receive Amazon, equivalent e-vouchers or goods to the value of £40 for the winner and £20 for second place.
Full details on the attached flyer and more information along with previous winning entries on the StampIT website. Entry deadline: 8 April 2022.
Read more...
31 January 2022 (National Literacy Trust)
Today we kick off Storytelling Week by launching the brand-new Storytelling Month to celebrate the value and skill of speaking multiple languages and the ways that these voices and stories shape our community.
The virtual initiative, which forms part of the National Literacy Trust’s Connecting Stories campaign, is to run until International Mother Language Day on February 21 and promote community literacies – with an equal focus on speaking and reading.
Across the month various activities and resources will be made available. With free videos ranging from a reading of Enormous Turnip in Czech, the Little Turtle and Little Rabbit Have a Race in Mandarin Chinese and Romanian fairy stories, Storytelling Month is packed with weekly activities and resources that will help young people and parents build new skills and improve their literacy.
Read more...
31 January 2022 (Creative Multilingualism)
The Prismatic Jane Eyre Schools Project and the Stephen Spender Trust are running a translation competition which celebrates all languages spoken in homes and taught in schools across the UK.
Entrants are asked to produce a poem in another language inspired by a selected passage from Jane Eyre. The competition accepts submissions in any language from learners in Key Stages 3-5/S1-6. Up to 100 entries to the competition will be published in a printed anthology, which will also be made available online.
The competition is not designed to be a test of grammar or vocabulary, but how students can reimagine the selected passage from Jane Eyre in a different language and through a new form. The deadline for entries to the competition is 1 March 2022.
The competition guidelines, support materials and selected passages are available on the Prismatic Jane Eyre competition website.
Read more...
28 January 2022 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland)
Following on from the inaugural French essay competition in 2021, the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland wish again to award an essay prize in 2022 to commemorate the long life and work of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon and her service to the Franco-Scottish Community.
This competition is aimed at Advanced Higher learners of French. This year, we would like you to reflect on the changes that you would like to see happen within your lifetime. All essay submissions must present a reflection on society in France and Scotland.
The winning entry will be awarded a prize of £500, and their essay will also be published in the annual Bulletin of the Franco-Scottish Society. Two runner-up prizes of £100 will be awarded by SCILT.
- A maximum of three entries can be submitted from each school. Register your interest for your school to get involved by 5pm on 25 February.
Visit the Eventbrite webpage for further information and how to register.
Read more...
28 January 2022 (Vindolanda)
Everyday in February we will have a fun Latin word of the day, each accompanied by an explanation of what it means and an artefact from Vindolanda or the Roman Army Museum.
Each day we encourage you to use our word in conversation, link it to something in your life, or do something creative such as draw a picture write a poem based on the word. There are so many ways to get involved with our 28 Days of Latin event.
Read more...
27 January 2022 (SEET)
Have you signed up to take part in SEET's Euroquiz this year? There may still be time to register your team. Please visit our website or email jane@seet.org.uk for more information.
About Euroquiz
Euroquiz is an annual project open to all P6 pupils across Scotland, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, sport, culture and European affairs. Heats take place in local authorities from February to April, with the winning teams from all areas progressing to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in June.
Read more...
20 January 2022 (Scottish Education Awards)
The Scottish Education Awards celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education.
The annual event recognises those who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcases the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
Nominations in each of the award categories, which includes the Gaelic Education Award, are now invited.
Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for more information and submit nominees by 23 February 2022.
Read more...
14 January 2022 (ALL/British Council)
In 2021, with COVID-19 having had an impact on almost all areas of education but most acutely that of the teaching and learning of MFL, ALL, the British Council and cultural institutes in the United Kingdom combined efforts to devise an exciting event entitled ‘Express Yourself’. This was an opportunity to showcase language learners’ enjoyment of, and commitment to, a language that they are learning, or that is used in their home community (except for English!). We are repeating this in February 2022, in preparation for Spring where we practise and celebrate a language you are learning, or use in your community, and take part in a virtual festival of speaking!
Individuals or groups are invited to prepare and record a short poem, presentation, sketch or dialogue in the target language and share on social media by 28 February 2022.
Full details can be found in the ALLNet E-bulletin Special.
Read more...
13 January 2022 (DAAD UK)
This year's German Language Competition from the DAAD London and the Institute of Modern Languages Research, University of London focuses on coming together, celebrating friendship and collaboration between people, countries and institutions beyond borders and across cultures.
The competition therefore asks entrants to explore what does Zusammen – Together Across Cultures mean for you? Submissions can be about friendship across borders or about initiatives across cultures within the German-speaking countries; perhaps imagine a future without borders altogether? We invite you to write a story, a poem or a song, make a video or podcast, draw a comic or cartoon, choose any form you like – in written or spoken German. Entry categories available for learners or native speakers.
Visit the competition website for more information and submit entries by 6 March 2022.
Read more...
CISS Chinese New Year Poster Competition 2022
17 December 2021 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools has announced a competition to celebrate the forthcoming year of the tiger! The competition is open to all primary schools in Scotland and the winner will be selected by CISS staff.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ENTRY - entries submitted by email will not be accepted.
Deadline for entries: Friday 21 January 2022.
DETAILS:
Design a poster to celebrate the Year of the Tiger!
- Make sure to include the tiger in some way.
- Include what you know or have learnt about Chinese language and culture.
- Entries can be handmade (a high quality photo or scan of entry) or designed on the computer/tablet etc.
The winning entry will receive a prize and be featured online, and the poster will be used as the CISS Chinese New Year e-card!
17 December 2021 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools is delighted to publish the brand new Winter 2021 Newsletter, featuring news and updates from CISS projects, Confucius Classroom Hubs, Chinese Exchange Teachers and more updates on Mandarin learning across Scotland.
Read more...
17 December 2021 (Light Bulb Languages)
Issue 8 of Write Away!, the magazine celebrating work being done in primary languages classrooms, has just been published and can be read on the Light Bulb Languages website.
Submissions for issue 9 are now also being invited. Visit the website for more information and get submissions in by 18 February 2022.
Read more...
17 December 2021 (SCILT)
Congratulations again to everyone who took part in our recent Words for the World competition.
Following our recent awards ceremony, and the announcement of the winners’ names, we are now delighted to be able to publish the winning, highly commended and remaining finalist entries in each category. We are sure that you will agree that the linguistic diversity, creativity and passion that they all show is both impressive and inspiring.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Citizenship,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
SCILT news
Languages Week Scotland 2022 - how will you celebrate?
13 December 2021 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland 2022 will take place during the week 31 January - 4 February 2022, and SCILT hopes that as many children, families and communities as possible will engage with the week. It is inviting educational establishments to celebrate and share the work they do in and with spoken and signed languages other than English. For ideas for how your educational establishment can celebrate Languages Week Scotland 2022, please visit the Languages Week Scotland pages on the SCILT website or follow Languages Week Scotland on Twitter.
SCILT would love to know how you celebrate Languages Week Scotland 2022, so please use the hashtag #ScotlandLovesLanguages on Twitter to share the languages used or learned at home, in school or in your wider community.
The theme for 2022 is “The 'Rights' Approach - incorporating learners' rights within Scotland's languages landscape” and the aim is to amplify the voices of people, organisations and events that celebrate multilingualism and the many ways it supports the rights of children as embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
9 December 2021 (Institut français)
Give the mic to your students and shoot a music video with them! If you believe your class has got talent, this competition is for you!
The Institut français du Royaume-Uni, in association with Francophonie UK, is inviting all teachers of French to submit a short video or animated clip of their class's own French rap or song.
Get the chance to be streamed on our dedicated UK YouTube channel and to compete for the national Francophonie UK School Music Awards as part of the Fête de la Musique in June 2022!
Visit the website for more information and to register for the competition. Submission deadline: 15 April 2022.
Read more...
Mathématiques sans Frontières
3 December 2021 (UWS)
The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is once again organising the world-wide Mathematics and Language competition “Mathématiques sans Frontières” in Scotland (and also branching out to England and Northern Ireland!).
We are hopeful that, after an interrupted competition in 2021, we continue to offer a stimulating and light-hearted competition which combines Mathematics and Modern Languages.
For those of you who have not taken part previously, this competition aims to motivate pupils in these subjects, promote teamwork throughout pupils of all abilities, and bridge borders between countries across the world.
Please find attached a training (“Discovery”) test for “Mathématiques Sans Frontières” and one entry form for the competition proper.
S4 classes should attempt questions 1-10 and S5 classes questions 1-13. A whole class should attempt the test with questions divided up between groups to ensure that the questions can be completed in the allotted time of 90 minutes. Question 1 will require an explanation in a foreign language. We hope that this encourages cross-curricular working and teamwork. Answers are also attached, in French, which provides another opportunity for teamwork in the translation.
The competition proper will be held on Thursday 10 March 2022. Social-distancing restrictions permitting, the prize-giving will be held in June at UWS when the achievements of the top ten schools at each level are recognised. All schools competing will receive a certificate.
Schools who would like to register for the competition are kindly requested to complete the proforma attached and return by 28 January 2021.
We will send out the actual test as a PDF file by e-mail on the Friday prior to the test. This has proved to be very popular and we intend continuing to issue the test in this format. We would therefore kindly ask you to ensure that the e-mail address provided is legible or, preferably, typed. It would also be beneficial to provide an alternative e-mail address, possibly a personal address, which may help prevent firewall issues.
We hope you will give serious consideration to entering the competition and look forward to hearing from you.
2 December 2021 (SCILT)
Are you looking for ways to bring the festive season to your languages classroom?
SCILT have compiled a range of online resources for use with your pupils, from interactive advent calendars and games, to lesson plans and festive facts. Find out how Christmas is celebrated in France, Germany, Spain and around the world!
Read more...
26 November 2021 (Light Bulb Languages)
Write Away! is an exciting project from Light Bulb Languages. It's a magazine celebrating the writing that primary children do in their language lessons.
Submissions for issue 8 are now being accepted. Visit the website for submission guidelines and submit work by Friday 10 December 2021.
Previous issues of Write Away! can also be viewed on the website along with lots of language resources for the primary classroom.
Read more...
Words for the World competition winners!
26 November 2021 (SCILT)
Congratulations to everyone who took part in our Words for the World competition.
The standard of entries was incredibly high, with a wide range of formats submitted and an array of languages. We can be proud of the linguistic diversity we have here in Scotland and the creativity and passion our young people demonstrated for protecting our planet, our humanity and creating a brighter future for us all. We were truly humbled and inspired by their work.
Judging proved exceptionally difficult, but we were delighted to announce the winning entries at an online awards event last week. Well done again to the following who were successful in their respective categories and thank you to every pupil who participated in the competition.
P1-P4
- Winner - Leena Valluri, Goodlyburn Primary
- Highly commended - The Glasgow Academy Newlands & Milngavie class entry
P5-P7
- Winner - Zofia Zajac, St Patrick's Primary
- Highly commended - Sophie McGrath, St Vincent's Primary
- Highly commended - Tristan Naylor, Hyndland Primary
S1-S3
- Winner - Oriana Strahan, Largs Academy
- Highly commended - Deepak Krisna Kummar, Craigmount High
S4-S6
- Winner - Daniel Smith, Alva Academy
- Highly commended - Aiman Mohammad, Renfrew High
26 November 2021 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter is here!
Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning opportunities, our motivating competitions and our online events. Find out how schools celebrated European Day of Languages 2021, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives including projects involving STEM, virtual live lessons and links with business. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland, including links to free resources and online learning opportunities.
Read more...
23 November 2021 (Scottish Book Trust)
We’re on the lookout for talented young folk aged 11–18 writing and creating in Scots.
Are you a Scots writer with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? Enter the Young Scots Writer o the Year Award.
We’re looking for stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it’s in Scots and under 1000 words or five minutes.
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for more information. Submissions accepted until 24 June 2022.
Read more...
16 November 2021 (Migration in Education)
We invite pupils and teachers in primary and secondary schools in Scotland to participate in this exciting competition that explores how we teach and learn about migration — creatively and with empathy. We live in a world that sees many people on the move, and our pupils may have been part of these experiences themselves. In schools, migration may make the topic of creative projects and classroom activities, as a unique opportunity for pupils to learn from each other and about each other.
The competition aims to acknowledge and make visible the cultural and linguistic diversity of Scottish primary and secondary schools. On that basis, submissions could be in English or in other languages to reflect the spirit of the school and of the competition. Teachers or teams of teachers and pupils are invited to submit their best materials that showcase how migration is taught in their respective schools.
Visit the website for more information and submit entries by Friday 17 December 2021.
Read more...
4 November 2021 (Poesiae)
Poésíæ and Poésíært, the global poems recitation and art competitions, start on 4 January 2022.
The competitions are free to enter and open to all pupils aged 7-15. Teachers can select from the suggested poems offered in French, German, Italian, Spanish, English or Welsh. Pupils can enter the recital strand of the competition or, for those less confident in doing so, the art competition offers pupils a different medium to express their understanding of the poem.
Visit the Poésíæ website for more information.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations
19 October 2021 (German Embassy)
Today the awards went to Linda McLean (West Calder High School, West Lothian, Scotland), Erica Schwiening (Saffron Walden County High School, Essex), Stamatia Kalogeropoulou (The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Hampshire) and Alexandra Brown (King David High School, Liverpool).
Read more...
Königspost German Writing Competition
19 October 2021 (King's College London)
The competition for year 12 and 13 students of German (S5 and S6 in Scotland) is being run by the Department of German at King's College London. Students are invited to write an article in German (see the attached flyer for more details); the winning entry will be published in the department's popular newspaper, the Königspost, and there will be further prizes for the winner and runners-up.
The submission deadline is 22 November 2021.
5 October 2021 (Oxford German Network)
The tenth Oxford German Olympiad is now open! This year's topic is der Rhein.
Open to upper primary and secondary learners, entrants choose one of the tasks within their age category and complete the task in German. Individuals, groups or classes can take part.
There's also a Discover German - Taster Competition for those with no prior experience of studying German.
Visit the competition website for full details. The closing date for all entries is Thursday 10 March 2022 at 12 noon.
Read more...
5 October 2021 (SCILT)
‘We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world.’ (Malala Yousafzai)
Are you looking for a way to engage your language learners to think about global issues ahead of the COP26 summit in November? Inspired by Malala’s words, our Words for the World competition could be just what you need! SCILT is challenging learners to use their words and their languages to show how the world could be a better place.
More information about the competition is available on our Words for the World webpage. The entry deadline is 25 October 2021. If you'd like to upload submissions to the Words for the World MS Team, please contact us and provide your Glow email address. Please note, the competition is only open to schools in Scotland.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Citizenship,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
SCILT news
1 October 2021 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce Espacios Increíbles is back for its 3rd year and it is bigger and better than before! We are looking for lots of budding architects and designers from S2 and S3 to take part in our Spanish competition to create an ‘Amazing Space.’
This competition combines aspects of design with Spanish language skills as they present their Espacio Increíble to a panel of judges and a live audience. Espacios Increíbles is a great way of introducing your pupils to different career pathways open to them when they study a language and encouraging uptake of Spanish in the Senior Phase.
To find out more visit our Espacios Increíbles webpage and register your school’s interest, by Monday 8 November.
Read more...
30 September 2021 (SCILT)
Our multilingual poetry competition offers schools and learners the opportunity to use their language skills creatively, by producing an original poem, song or rap in a language they speak at home (Mother Tongue) or are learning at school (Other Tongue). With a focus on the spoken word, entries are invited in video or audio format.
Teachers, help us find the next generation of multilingual poets! The deadline to register your school is 7 October 2021 (National Poetry Day), and all entries should be submitted by 3 December 2021.
Visit our MTOT webpage for full details and to sign-up.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
30 September 2021 (Goethe-Institut)
What is fake news? Are our favorite YouTubers always telling the truth? Can we always tell if a post on Instagram or Tik Tok is true or false? Why do fake news exist? How can we identify them?
To answer these questions, we are looking for “fake news hunters” in Germany, England, Scotland, France, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Are you a German, English, French or Spanish teacher? Then you are welcome to participate with your students, aged 15-19.
Submit your short video or text entry by 15 October 2021.
Visit the competition website for more information.
Read more...
30 September 2021 (StampIT)
StampIT is re-launching ‘Stamp over October’. This series develops various skills and increases knowledge across the curriculum for the broad general education phase. The range of activities cover experiences and outcomes in many areas within expressive arts; language and literacy; mathematics; sciences; social studies and technologies. The activities will also last beyond October! Take part in as many or as few as you want. StampIT also has it’s ‘Language of Stamps’ series with Spanish, French, Mandarin and Japanese.
There are many challenges and competitions throughout October, please see the website for the activity plans. In addition there are 5 free packs available with some StampIT games, craft materials and stamps to the classes who can send in the best ending to the following sentence:
'We would love to take part in Stamp over October because...'
Entries by end October. Visit the StampIT website for more information.
Read more...
26 September 2021 (The National)
Scottish celebrities, artists, and speakers gathered in Dundee for the Scots Language Awards on Saturday.
The audience attended Broughty Ferry’s Gardyne Theatre for the first time since before lockdown.
They were treated to interviews with the winners of 13 awards, and writer, broadcaster and National columnist Alistair Heather hosted the evening.
Poet and social media star Len Pennie introduced live performances from Victoria McNulty, Anna Stewart, Cameron Nixon, Alison Miller, and Ellie Beaton. Public voting on the nominees was open from September 6 to 19 with a record number of votes cast.
The awards recognise the heroic efforts and work of the people and organisations who all champion Scots’ unique culture, music and words.
Cabinet Secretary for Scotland’s Languages Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “These awards demonstrate that Scots is a vital part of this country’s cultural identity, and it is crucial we encourage and nurture the creativity of those who speak the language.”
Read more...
24 September 2021 (Queen's College Oxford)
Registration is now open for the second year of the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators, open to all teachers of French, German, Italian [new this year!], Mandarin and Spanish.
The prize launches this month with ready-made teaching resources designed to be used around European Day of Languages (26 September) and International Translation Day (30 September). The prize is for students of French, German, Italian, Mandarin, or Spanish aged 11-18.
Bringing more international culture into the classroom is a central aim of the prize, and so all texts will be rich in cultural content, and creativity in the translation will be rewarded.
All interested teachers will receive a teaching pack for the first lessons, to be run any time from late September onwards. Following the first lesson, which focuses on translating poetry, teachers will be asked to confirm their registration for two further teaching packs (on translating fiction and non-fiction) and for the competition phase. The competition phase will be open from 21 February to 1 April 2022.
For more information and to register, please see the prize webpage.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations
European Day of Languages
23 September 2021 (Council of Europe)
The Council of Europe Director General of Democracy, Snežana Samardžić-Marković, has recorded a video message (4 minutes) to mark the 20th anniversary of EDL. The video, in English, which gives a nice overview of the Day, is available via YouTube.
The latest version of the ‘Secret agent’s language challenges app' is now available in 21 languages and can be downloaded for Apple and Android devices.
Chromebook users can also download the app from the Playstore - by searching for "Language challenges" and clicking on the install button.
23 September 2021 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages celebrates it's 20th anniversary on Sunday 26th September. What has your school been doing to celebrate?
Send a description of your activities and a few photos and we'll include you in our EDL 2021 blog! Some entries may even be featured in the SCILT winter newsletter.
Complete the form via the link below or send an email to scilt@strath.ac.uk. And you can tag @scottishcilt on Twitter!
Read more...
21 September 2021 (Scottish Gaelic Awards)
The Scottish Gaelic Awards reward all aspects of the Gaelic language and culture across the length and breadth of the country.
The Daily Record, alongside headline sponsor Bòrd na Gàidhlig are proud to host the most prestigious night of the year within the Gaelic community calendar. Celebrating Gaelic culture, education and language highlighting the excellent work undertaken to maintain growth and heritage. The awards will take place on 16 November 2021 and nominations are now open!
Visit the website for information about the award categories and to submit your nomination.
Read more...
21 September 2021 (UKLO)
UKLO is a competition, like the Mathematical Olympiad or the National Cipher Challenge, for students who are still at school (or equivalent college) – any age, any ability level; but unlike other competitions, our competitors have to solve linguistic data problems. Thanks to our generous academic supporters, it’s completely free to both competitors and schools.
The first round of the competition will take place during February 2022.
Visit the UKLO website to find out more and to register your school.
Read more...
16 September 2021 (FilmG)
FilmG is MG ALBA’s Gaelic short film competition which is delivered by Cànan Graphics Studio, the multi-media company based on the Isle of Skye. FilmG was launched in 2008 in order to develop new talent for the Gaelic channel BBC ALBA which was launched in the same year. Over this time it has received more than 700 short films and seen many young people begin their careers in Gaelic television broadcasting.
This year's FilmG is now open for entries. In the Youth category the competition is open to high school classes, independent filmmakers, and primary schools. High school Gaelic classes across Scotland can also take up the offer of 2 day filmmaking workshops to support entrants.
Visit the FilmG website for more information and get entries in by 13 December 2021.
Read more...
16 September 2021 (The Doric Board)
The richness and diversity of the North East’s Doric culture is set to receive a funding boost, thanks to the launch of the Doric Board New Year Awards 2022.
The Doric Board has just opened up the third annual awards to applications from projects which celebrate the region’s exceptional heritage of Doric language, music, ballad, song, story, history, lore – and the creativity of those who live and work in the area.
Once again, grants of up to £1000 will be made available to applicants who reside in the North East to assist in the funding of projects which comply with the Board’s objectives - the promotion of the language, traditions and culture of the North-east of Scotland.
The scheme is part of the founding aim of the Doric Board and was created with the support of the Scottish Government to develop and support a sustainable, dynamic future for Doric as a vibrant language.
The Doric Board (North-East Tradition and Language - NETAL) aims to be a powerful voice for social and economic regeneration, and a driver towards a national Scots language board. Earlier this year, it also spearheaded the first annual Doric Phrase Week which used the power of online and social media technology to get the public on board and submit favourite phrases and anecdotes which were shared a sizeable, global audience.
Commenting on the launch of the 2022 Doric Board New Year Awards, Doric Board chair Frieda Morrison said: “The lengths our applicants went to in realising their projects this year and last year are a clear illustration of the unwavering support which exists for the language and culture.
“We hope that the launch of the 2022 New Year Awards will inspire applications which represent the wealth of pride and passion there is for Doric, and we are excited to see the diverse range of projects which might benefit from our help.”
Applications should be emailed to The Doric Board by 12th December 2021. Funds will be made available to successful applicants the in mid-January 2022.
To find out more, visit the website at www.doricboard.com or email info@doricboard.com.
Read more...
16 September 2021 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our winter 2021 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. This could cover work going on in schools before the summer break, innovative projects taking place during Covid-19, or other language learning celebrations or initiatives.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 8th October 2021.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
14 September 2021 (ECML)
The European Day of Languages has been celebrated every 26th of September since 2002 by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. This year, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its inauguration, the European Centre for Modern Languages invites all of you to participate in our EDL's Great Bake-Off.
The goal is to collect birthday recipes from different parts of the world and in different languages to then include the 20 most original (and tasty!) desserts in a special 20th-anniversary-edition recipe book. If you would like your birthday dessert to be included (after a rigorous selection process!), please visit the ECML website for instructions and get ready to bring out the chef in you!
Submission deadline: 30 September 2021.
Read more...
9 September 2021 (ECML)
The latest edition of the ECML's European Language Gazette is now available. Focusing on the 20th anniversary of the European Day of Languages this issue contains a huge variety of new features, ideas, initiatives and resources to help celebrate the 20th edition in style!
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland 2022 - save the date!
6 September 2022 (SCILT)
We are pleased to announce that Languages Week Scotland 2022 will run from 31 January - 4 February 2022. The theme is "The 'Rights' Approach - incorporating learners' rights within Scotland's languages landscape" and we hope that schools and learners, universities and colleges, businesses and social enterprises, community and arts organisations across the country will join with us in celebrating the signed and spoken languages used and learned across Scotland.
Follow the dedicated Twitter account @LangsWeekScot for all the latest news, and don't forget to use the hashtag #scotlandloveslanguages to share how you celebrate.
3 September 2021 (SCILT)
We are delighted to announce the launch of MTOT 2021-22! This competition offers schools and learners the opportunity to use their language skills creatively, by producing an original poem, song or rap in a language they speak at home (Mother Tongue) or are learning at school (Other Tongue). We are continuing our focus on the spoken word, so entries can be in video or audio format.
Last year, despite all the challenges, MTOT went from strength to strength, and the creativity shown by all those who entered was truly uplifting. Our winners were featured on the Kid’s Poetry Club podcast, and MTOT now has its own dedicated section on the UK Children’s Poetry Archive. As if that wasn’t enough, this year we are also partnering with the Dictionaries of the Scots Language, who are offering a special prize for winning entries in Scots.
Whatever your language, we want you to find your voice and share it with us. We can’t wait to see what this year’s young poets will produce!
Teachers should register interest by 7 October 2021 (National Poetry Day), and all entries will be submitted by 3 December 2021.
Visit our MTOT webpage for full details.
Read more...
31 August 2021 (SEET)
Our World is a languages and citizenship based filmmaking project for S3 - S6 pupils. It's designed to complement the Curriculum for Excellence and help tackle the Attainment Challenge by providing a free project which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Teams of 4 (S3-S6) design a storyboard which outlines the film they propose to make. This year's films will explore the idea of global citizenship, must include the use of a language other than English, and should touch on the theme of the Sustainable Development Goals. Each team must choose at least one of the 17 SDGs to focus their film on.
Registration for the 2021-22 project is now open - https://ourworldproject.wufoo.com/forms/z1fa1wdl0fdqs2a/
Visit the SEET website for more information and register to take part.
Read more...
27 August 2021 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. Now celebrating its 20th year, it aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. What is your school doing in 2021?
If you're looking for inspiration SCILT has compiled lots of ideas for primary, secondary and parents & families on our EDL webpage. Perhaps a Eurovision-style song contest, a QR code scavenger hunt, or a food festival? You will also find links to competitions, blogs and websites with a huge range of celebration ideas and activities.
Let us know how you celebrate and we'll include you in our EDL 2021 blog. Send a short description and some colourful photos to scilt@strath.ac.uk or tag @scottishcilt on Twitter. Use the hashtags #coeEDL #20EDL or #happybirthdayEDL to share your celebrations with schools across Europe!
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Celebrating Languages,
Europe,
Language Learning,
Linguistic Diversity,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
16 August 2021 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society)
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, in partnership with SCILT (Scotland's National Centre for Languages), established an essay prize in honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community and to mark her one hundredth birthday.
Pupils from across Scotland took part in the competition and produced a high quality of essays. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held by Zoom on Tuesday 15 June 2021. A recording of this, along with a list of the winning entries, is now available on the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland website.
Read more...
6 June 2021 (Press and Journal)
Emily Crawford had never met her teacher when she won a UK-wide mandarin speaking competition.
She proved the value of digital learning when she took first place at the British Council Mandarin Speaking Competition in May, outperforming students who had more experience with the language and more traditional instruction.
Emily started her language journey through e-Sgoil, the Stornoway-based digital learning school that connects students to learning opportunities they can’t get where they live.
The school was founded to connect schools spread across the Western Isles. Now it connects students and teachers around the world.
When schools were closed during lockdowns, digital learning dominated conversations about education. At e-Sgoil, leaders, teachers and students hope to prove digital learning can be a positive experience.
Read more...
Espacios Increíbles - winners announced
27 May 2021 (SCILT)
Congratulations to Holy Cross High School, Hamilton on winning SCILT's Espacios Increíbles competition 2020-21.
The winner was announced at the final, held online on Wednesday 19 May 2021.
A superb effort from all four finalist schools (Dunblane High School, Kinross High School, Prestwick Academy, as well as Holy Cross High) with stiff competition and a very difficult decision for the judges.
The competition for S3 pupils takes an IDL approach, and combines Spanish with art, design and technology, with pupils designing an amazing space and presenting their work in Spanish.
Holy Cross came out on top with their innovative design for a children's hospital, which took into consideration the needs of the children and elements for their enjoyment, as well as thinking about the environment. Teamwork and working to their strengths were evident throughout and their presentation was slick during the live final. The Spanish was excellent and the language used was embedded in their learning.
The other 3 schools did an amazing job with innovative and sustainable designs for a cultural and arts centre, a sustainable restaurant and a scientific research observatory in the rainforest. Amazing ideas using amazing creativity!
More information on this year's final will be on the SCILT website soon as well as details of how your school can enter next year's competition.
Doric Phrase Week Resounding Success
24 May 2021 (The Doric Board)
A brand-new initiative which celebrates the language of the North East of Scotland has been hailed as a resounding success – and plans are already well underway to repeat the venture in 2022.
The recent inaugural Doric Phrase Week was spearheaded by The Doric Board as part of its mission to energise public appreciation of the region’s exceptional heritage of Doric language, music, ballad, song, story, history, lore, and the creativity of those who live and work in the area.
Using the power of online and social media technology, the public got on board the Doric Phrase Week project by submitting favourite phrases and anecdotes with the flood of contributions from at home and abroad exceeding expectations. Submissions were shared for others to enjoy and attracted a sizeable, global audience.
The Doric Board comprises a group of enthusiastic, volunteer members with a shared passion for the spirit, identity and relevance of Doric in the past, present and future. The Doric Board is supported by The Scottish Government and in 2019 it appointed its first-ever Makar, renowned poet, novelist, story writer, storyteller and singer Sheena Blackhall BSc, Dip Ed, M Litt. It is also responsible for the Doric Board New Year Awards which, this year, gave funding boosts of up to £1000 to 15 cultural and heritage projects across the North East of Scotland.
Commenting on the success of the first Doric Phrase Week, Doric Board chair Frieda Morrison said: “We originally planned this as a one-day celebration and, due the wealth of material waiting in the wings, it quickly became apparent that we needed to stretch it to a whole week.
“Contributors ranged in age from four to 100 years, underlining the intergenerational appeal of Doric and its ability to unite through language towards the creation of a sustainable, dynamic future for Doric as a vibrant language.
“Plans are now well ahead for The Doric Board’s next Doric Phrase Week which will take place in April 2022 and we look forward to using it as another important platform to explore the richness and diversity of the language.”
To find out more visit The Doric Board or email The Doric Board.
14 May 2021 (Scottish Book Trust)
Young people aged 11-18 are invited to write a Scots story, poem, play or make a short video inspired by the Scots phrase 'Lang may yer lum reek'. Your story must be in Scots and under 500 words (or five minutes).
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for more information about the competition and enter by Wednesday 18 August, midday.
Read more...
14 May 2021 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter is here!
Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning offer, our motivating competitions and our online events. Find out how schools celebrated Languages Week Scotland 2021, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
Read more...
13 May 2021 (Babel)
Individuals and groups studying linguistics at sixth form, college or university are invited to enter this year's young writers' competition for a chance to be published in the Autumn edition of Babel magazine.
This year's theme is 'Attitudes to languages' and invites entrants to give their views about and experience of attitudes towards languages in a piece no longer than 2,500 words.
See the website for full details and enter by 27 August 2021.
Read more...
11 May 2021 (Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL))
The Threlford Cup is CIOL’s prestigious award for inspiring the learning of languages. The cup is presented annually to a person, or for a project, or to an organisation for an activity that has inspired others with an original language-learning or teaching initiative.
The winner of the award is selected from nominations received from the wider languages community. Everyone is welcome to nominate.
Visit the CIOL website for more information and nomination criteria. Nominations close at 5pm on Sunday 25 July 2021.
Read more...
11 May 2021 (Light Bulb Languages)
Write Away! is an exciting project from Light Bulb Languages. It's a magazine celebrating the writing that primary children do in their language lessons.
We are now accepting submissions for issue 6 up until 23.59 on Friday 21 May 2021.
Visit the website for full submission guidelines.
Read more...
6 May 2021 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation, with categories for young people (14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under) as well as an open category for adults. All entrants must be UK or Irish citizens or residents, or pupils at a British School overseas. Translate into English any poem from any language – ranging from Arabic to Uzbek, from Danish to Somali—and win cash prizes!
This year the prize will open for entries on 6 May and close on 16 July 2021.
Each year also features a Spotlight Prize encouraging young people to engage with community languages. For 2021 the focus is on Urdu.
More information about both competitions can be found on the Stephen Spender Trust website.
Read more...
30 April 2021 (SCILT)
In academic session 2020-21, after a short hiatus, SCILT relaunched the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition, with a new focus on the spoken word. Learners were invited not only to write a poem in their mother or other tongue, but to perform it so that their words could be heard in their own voice. The work produced by all the young poets who took part was wonderful, especially during this most challenging year. The winning and highly commended video entries from this year's competition in Scotland are now available to view on the MTOT Awards page of SCILT's website.
Read more...
21 April 2021 (Oxford German Network)
A German Classic is Oxford's essay competition for sixth-formers with prizes up to £500. This year's set text is Heinrich von Kleist's "Die Verlobung in St. Domingo". For more information about this year's competition visit the website and request a free study pack by 25 June 2021.
Read more...
20 April 2021 (Institut français du Royaume-Uni)
Are you looking for an exciting languages project for your students after half term? The Institut français du Royaume-Uni has launched the French Pop Video Competition 2021, a video song contest for all primary and secondary school students in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Channel Islands.
The competition deadline has been extended and teachers now have until 30 April 2021 to submit their students’ video clips in 3 age-categories with a chance to win books, tablets, and attend a special Francophonie UK School Music Awards live music ceremony with the Institut français on the occasion of Fête de la Musique 2021!
Can you sing or rap in French ? Do you have video skills? Then this competition is for you!
To top it all, with the support of Francophonie UK, the Institut français and Alliances françaises du Royaume-Uni will offer a limited number of FREE "Learning French through music" workshops for state-sector schools entering the competition. If you are interested, please contact education@institut-francais.org.uk
Please spread the word to your students and colleagues, we look forward to your successful participation!
Read more...
1 April 2021 (University of Oxford)
The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators is a brand new competition for MFL learners aged 11-18. The scheme is inspired by the life and work of the great translator Anthea Bell. It aims to promote language-learning across the UK and to inspire creativity in the classroom. By providing teachers with the tools they need to bring translation to life, we hope to motivate more pupils to study modern foreign languages to National 5, Highers and beyond.
In its first year, the prize is for learners of French, German, Mandarin and Spanish.
All interested teachers receive teaching packs for the prize, with ready-made resources designed to be used in class, for home learning or for extra-curricular activities.
See the attached document for more information and visit the website to register.
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Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
French Film Festival UK 2021
25 March 2021 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival UK’s Learning Programme is delighted to bring French-speaking cinema to Scotland’s schools between April and June 2021.
A selection of films on DVD are available on request and will be sent directly to schools. To accompany the selection of films for different age groups, school screenings are enhanced by online learning resources prepared by Lise Morel. Participating teachers will be able to download these Learning Packs as PDFs to use in the classroom. These resources have been designed in accordance with the Modern Languages Experience and Outcomes for Curriculum for Excellence.
Please note that for schools within attainment challenge authorities, this resource is available free of charge. For further information, email schools@frenchfilmfestival.org.uk
25 March 2021 (IberoDocs)
IberoDocs, Scotland's Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival, will be running for the first time online in the entire UK and Ireland from the 19 April to 2 May. The 2 week-long event boasts a programme of 20 films: all are Scottish premieres, 13 are UK premieres, three international premieres and one world premiere.
The Festival, which has consistently celebrated equality, diversity and accessibility as its core values, will apply them even further when bringing this years’ festival to life since all the feature-length films in the main programme will include subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and the opening film will also have audio description available.
The pandemic has brought on several challenges for the festival, but this year IberoDocs is reaching a wider geographical area by hosting the festival online, and some of the films will be available to watch in 22 Ibero-American countries including Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, Peru and Brazil.
In addition to the film programme, the festival will offer a series of complementary activities such as a virtual exhibition, Q&As with filmmakers and artists - BSL interpreted - and a masterclass in collaboration with Scottish Documentary by Lupe Perez Diaz, winner of new waves best director at the Seville Film Festival 2020 with her film Never Look Back.
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
15 March 2021 (StampIT)
StampIT has launched its first worldwide competition which is open to 5-15 year olds worldwide!
Create a presentation linked to postage stamps for a chance to win e-vouchers. Stamps are a great medium to learn about language and culture. The competition encourages children to include some elements in a second language to their own.
The entry can be a written or video presentation and full details are at the StampIT website. Please read the attached flyer and rules carefully.
Entrants don’t have to own the stamp or stamps they choose to do their project. They can see a range of stamps within the games and activities on the website which link to Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese and Gaelic but they can also choose any stamp from any country worldwide.
The closing date is 30 April 2021.
Read more...
8 March 2021 (Institut français)
Every year on 20 March, countries around the world celebrate Francophonie through cultural events honouring the French language. On this occasion, the Institut français du Royaume-Uni, the Institut français d’Ecosse, the UK network of Alliances Françaises and the Francophonie UK partners in the UK, dedicate the whole month of March to events and initiatives celebrating the language of Molière, Ramuz and Senghor!
This year, festivities include the National Finals of the Joutes Oratoires Lycéennes, the 3rd edition of the French Pop Video Competition open to all primary and secondary schools across the 4 nations, the return of the Grand Quiz de la Francophonie, a panel discussion on the importance of learning languages for the UK post-Brexit, an exclusive webinar on how to integrate the diversity of Francophone cultures in the French language classroom, the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators and much more.
Full programme details can be found on the Institut français website. Find out now how you can get involved in celebrating la Francophonie!
Read more...
1 March 2021 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is hosting a selection of events between 9-22 March for the 24th edition of the International Francophonie Week, including a special Quiz in partnership with the Institut Français d'Ecosse.
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
25 February 2021 (Heriot-Watt University)
Heriot-Watt University's Multilingual Debate is an annual event that showcases the interpreting skills of undergraduate students on our Languages (Interpreting and Translating) degree programme, as well as the developing professional skills of postgraduate students on our MSc Interpreting and Translating programmes.
The event takes the form of a formal debate with two multilingual teams arguing for and against a motion of topical interest in a range of languages. The teams deliver their views in their various native languages (French, German, Spanish, English, Arabic, Chinese, British Sign Language (BSL)).
The Multilingual Debates 2021 will take place online via Zoom on Wednesday 24 March and Friday 26 March.
Visit the Heriot-Watt Multilingual Debate webpage for more information and to register for the free event.
Read more...
Posted in:
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Interpreting,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations,
Arabic,
BSL
25 February 2021 (High Commission of Canada)
To celebrate la Francophonie the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom and Délégation générale du Québec in London, with the support of the Francophonie UK group, is offering free screenings of six Canadian / Quebec films and documentaries during March.
Visit the event website for more information about the screenings on offer and to book tickets.
Read more...
MTOT 2021 - winners announced!
25 February 2021 (SCILT)
Whilst the current pandemic prevented us from hosting this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue celebratory awards event in the stunning Ramshorn Building in Glasgow, we managed to host our very own online red carpet event instead! Pupils, teachers and parents joined us online to hear the winners announced on the afternoon of Friday 19 February, a date especially chosen to tie in with International Mother Language Day on 21 February celebrating all world languages.
We are delighted to announce the following winners and highly commended entries in each category:
|
Mother Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Zayne Emengo-Okpo
|
St Aloysius College JS
|
Hausa
|
|
Highly commended
|
Eloïse Harkins
|
St Aloysius College JS
|
French
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Lucja Lubanska
|
St Charles’ Primary
|
Polish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Ahmad Raza
|
Newmains Primary
|
Urdu
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Pranay Neppalli
|
Craigmount High
|
Telugu
|
|
Highly commended
|
Filip Strzalka
|
Craigmount High
|
Polish
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Chancelvie Bembo
|
St Benedicts
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lovely Selwyn
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Tamil
|
|
Other Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Abbie Rettie
|
Goodlyburn Primary
|
Gaelic
|
|
Highly commended
|
Haroon Majid
|
Braidbar Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Stephanie Mackay-Watt
|
Goodlyburn Primary
|
Gaelic
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Isobel Ross
|
Braidbar Primary
|
BSL
|
|
Highly commended
|
Evelina Finkova
|
Goodlyburn Primary
|
Gaelic
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Rona Bryden
|
Loudoun Academy
|
German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Anna d’Alessio
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Italian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Alistair Hillis
|
Jordanhill
|
Mandarin
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Lewis Fleming
|
St Thomas Aquinas
|
Spanish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Anya Jarvis
|
Loudoun Academy
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Ellie McGill
|
Carrick Academy
|
French
|
All pupils will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also receive a trophy as well as the opportunity for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive and Kids Poetry Club podcast. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward.
It is our intention to host each of these poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available.
Congratulations again to all our finalists!
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news
23 February 2021 (German Embassy )
If you know a truly outstanding German language teacher at your primary or secondary school – make sure that their dedication and excellence get the recognition they deserve!
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in London is pleased to invite nominations for the annual German Teacher Award, now in its 18th successful year. The winners will receive a personal prize and a certificate. The prizes will be presented at a special ceremony in early summer – if Covid-19 restrictions allow.
On this occasion the Goethe-Institut’s Peter Boaks Prize, which recognises outstanding young(er) teachers of the German language, and two special prizes donated by the Austrian Cultural Forum and the Embassy of Switzerland will also be awarded.
Visit the German Embassy website for more information about the nomination process. Deadline: 14 May 2021.
Read more...
18 February 2021 (Glasgow Evening Times)
From learning a few words to communicate with Roma neighbours to finding out more about British Sign Language - the Bhasha Glasgow language festival has lots to offer lockdown learners.
Now in its third year, the event takes place online from February 21 to 27.
A celebration of the city’s many languages and the people who speak them, this year’s festival is being hosted by the Thriving Places Govanhill initiative.
The week is jam packed with free daily activities that will explore Glasgow’s linguistic heritage and the vital role of its multilingual citizens, including quizzes, interactive language sessions, talks, and a radio show.
Read more...
18 February 2021 (Institut français)
The Institut français d’Ecosse launches le Concours de la Francophonie, a national school competition to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland and to celebrate the international day of la francophonie.
The competition is open to all Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French. Enter by submitting a short video of classroom activity in French by 15 March 2021.
Visit the Institut français d’Ecosse website for more information.
Read more...
16 February 2021 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our spring 2021 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. This could cover work going on in schools before Christmas, as well as innovative projects taking place during school closures, Languages Week Scotland celebrations or other languages initiatives.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 12th March 2021.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
11 February 2021 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society Scotland)
In honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community, the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland wish to award an essay prize in her name this year to mark her one hundredth birthday.
This competition is aimed at Advanced Higher learners of French. All essay submissions must present a reflection on life and society from 1921 to 2021 in France and Scotland, to take into account Madame Munro-Lafon’s life and interests.
The winning entry will be awarded a prize of £500, and their essay will also be published in the annual Bulletin of the Franco-Scottish Society. Two runner-up prizes of £100 will be awarded by SCILT.
- A maximum of three entries can be submitted from each school. Register your interest for your school to get involved by 5pm on 1 March.
Visit the Eventbrite webpage for further information and how to register.
Read more...
Languages Week 2021 - Highlights
10 February 2021 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland 2021 took place during the week 1 – 5 February. The theme was ‘Celebrating Scotland’s languages landscape’ and the aim was to amplify the voices of people, organisations and events that celebrate multilingualism and the many ways it manifests in Scottish communities. SCILT invited children, families, schools, communities and organisations to engage with the week through the hashtag #scotlandloveslanguages on Twitter.
John Swinney opened the week with a video message. This is now hosted on the SCILT website or can be viewed on social media.
As part of Languages Week 2021, the Scottish Government confirmed councils will receive £2.4 million funding for the current year to support the continued teaching of languages through schools.
John Swinney set a daily languages challenge through Twitter. These are now hosted on the SCILT website. Throughout the week, the range of challenges enabled learners at all stages, from primary to FE/HE and families at home to celebrate language learning and languages in the community.
Wednesday’s challenge was an invitation for the nation to flood Twitter with tongue-twisters in languages other than English – a language learned at school or a language spoken at home. Here is an example from the German Educational Trainees.
On Friday, the challenge was to find objects in other languages around the house. Find out how St Roch's responded.
At the start of the week, SCILT posed the question, “What do languages mean to you?” and received these answers (among many others):
Many partners across the country joined in the celebrations for Languages Week Scotland, including:
- City of Glasgow College Library Service
- Scottish Book Trust
- BBC Scotland Learning
- National Museum of Scotland
- Project Trust
Two events will follow on from Languages Week Scotland, later in February:
10 February 2021 (Young Scot/British Council)
Nominate a Young Person or Group for the Internationalism Young Scot Award by 14 February 2021! The award is for young people who’ve worked hard to maintain global connections through arts, education, skills or languages.
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21 January 2021 (British Council)
Speaking a language confidently and coherently is an important part of the curriculum throughout the four devolved education departments in the United Kingdom, and forms a critical part of linguistic and cultural development for all learners of languages.
However, the impact of Covid-19 has meant that many pupils have had fewer opportunities to speak the languages they are learning. Therefore, the Association for Language Learning , the British Council and the cultural and linguistic bodies in the United Kingdom have combined efforts to devise an exciting event entitled ‘Express Yourself in Lockdown’.
This will be an opportunity to showcase language learners’ enjoyment of a language that they are learning or that is normally used in their home community from home (except for English!).
Visit the British Council website for more information and share performances on the designated social platforms by 28 February 2021.
Read more...
19 January 2021 (UKLO)
UKLO is a competition for students who are still at school (or equivalent college) – any age, any ability level, where competitors have to solve linguistic data problems. Teachers should submit competitor information by 25 January 2021 with the first round of the competition scheduled to take place during week 1-5 February.
This year's competition has adopted special arrangements to cope with the pandemic and the fact that UK schools will certainly be closed for Round 1, and probably for Round 2 too.
Visit the UKLO website for further information.
Read more...
18 January 2021 (British Council)
The British Council is pleased to announce that a digital Mandarin Speaking Competition will take place in a series of online events. The competition provides a great opportunity for secondary school students to practise and improve their Mandarin language skills.
Taking part in the competition:
- increases students’ motivation for learning the language
- develops vocabulary and improves pronunciation
- raises confidence for oral examinations
- encourages students to interact with their classmates
- inspires students to discover more about Chinese culture.
Applications are now open until 12 February 2021. Visit the British Council website for more information.
Read more...
11 January 2021 (SEET)
Due to the new lockdown measures introduced by the Scottish Government on 4 January, including the closure of schools, SEET have pushed back the storyboard submission deadline to Friday 5 February 2021. They have also adapted the project and expanded the project's reach by increasing participation options for home learning and accommodating for both individual and group participation. Please see below for a summary of the changes:
- S1-6 may take part in 2021, not only S3-6 pupils.
- Storyboard submission deadline extended to Friday 5 February 2021 (extra 3 weeks)
- Accompanying video/audio clip explaining the storyboard is now optional. Storyboard and links to SDG theme and languages must be clear if no additional description is provided.
- We are accepting storyboard entries from teams AND entries from individual pupils if pupil collaboration is no longer possible. More guidance on team participation available.
- We will be able to invite more pupils to take part in the filmmaking stage, as we are no longer limited to in-person venue workshop capacity.
- Creation of password protected online portal to support pupils through the filmmaking stages. This will include video tutorials from filmmakers, written guidance and tutorials, resources, and clear instructions for pupils.
Visit the SEET website for more information about the Our World project.
Read more...
7 January 2021 (Institut français)
Do you think you could sing or rap in French? Do you have the skills to make a video clip for your song? If so, this competition is for you!
Open to any student or groups of students in full time primary or secondary education in the UK. Entries will be judged in 3 age-group categories: 7-11, 12-15, and 16-18.
Visit the competition website for more information. Register and submit entries by 31 March 2021.
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland
7 January 2021 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland 2021 will take place during the week 1–5 February. The theme is ‘Celebrating Scotland’s languages landscape’ and the aim is to amplify the voices of people, organisations and events that celebrate multilingualism and the many ways it manifests in Scottish communities.
Follow the hashtag #scotlandloveslanguages or the dedicated Twitter account @LangsWeekScot to find out what is happening or to share anything you will do with your learners to mark the week.
Schools can download the Languages Week Scotland logo from the SCILT website (Resources for Languages Week Scotland). Please add to emails and other promotional materials to show your support.
Keep your eye out for daily challenges from 1-5 February, which will engage learners whether in the classroom or at home.
4 January 2021 (Japan Foundation)
The Nihongo Cup is the Japanese Speech Contest for Secondary School students. Applications for the 2021 contest are now open. Finalists will be invited to perform their speeches as part of an online Finals Day on Saturday 10 July. They will also have a chance to win some fantastic prizes!
Visit the Japan Foundation website for more information and the application pack. The closing date for applications is 29 March 2021.
Read more...
8 December 2020 (Chinosity)
Create and share a 1-minute engaging video about any shocking, funny, or weird experiences you had while learning Chinese for the chance to win two round trip flights to China! Please showcase your Chinese speaking skills in the video as well. Open to all learners of Mandarin aged 13 and over. Submission deadline 15 January 2021.
Visit the Chinosity website to find out more.
Read more...
8 December 2020 (SEET)
Have you registered your teams for the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) Euroquiz competition? The annual project is open to all P6 pupils across Scotland, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, culture and European affairs. Heats take place in local authorities from January to March, with the winning teams from all areas progressing to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in June.
Visit the SEET website for more information and to register.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations
Mathématiques sans Frontières
7 December 2020 (University of the West of Scotland)
The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is again organising the world-wide Maths and Language competition “Mathématiques sans Frontières” in Scotland.
You are invited to participate in this stimulating and light-hearted competition which combines Mathematics and Modern Languages and aims to motivate pupils in these subjects, promote teamwork, and bridge borders.
Please find attached a training test for “Mathématiques Sans Frontières”, and one entry form for the competition proper.
S4 classes should attempt 10 questions and S5 classes 13 questions. A whole class should attempt the test with questions divided up between groups to ensure that the questions can be completed in the allotted time of 90 minutes. Question one will require an explanation in a foreign language. We hope that this encourages cross-curricular working and teamwork. Answers are also attached, in French, another opportunity for teamwork in the translation.
The competition proper will be held on Thursday 11 March 2021. The prize-giving will be held in June (hopefully!) at UWS when the achievements of the top ten schools at each level are recognised. All schools competing will receive a certificate.
Schools who would like to register for the competition are kindly requested to complete the proforma attached and return by 29 January 2021.
We will send out the actual test as a PDF file by e-mail on the Friday prior to the test. This has proved to be very popular and we intend continuing to issue the test in this format. We would therefore kindly ask you to ensure that the e-mail address provided is legible or, preferably, typed. It would also be beneficial to provide an alternative e-mail address, possibly a personal address, which may help prevent firewall issues.
4 December 2020 (SCILT)
Are you looking for ways to bring the festive season to your languages classroom?
SCILT have compiled a range of online resources for use with your pupils, from interactive advent calendars and games, to lesson plans and festive facts. Find out how Christmas is celebrated in France, Germany, Spain and around the world!
Read more...
27 November 2020 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter is here! Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning offer, our motivating competitions and our programme of support during school closures. Find out how schools celebrated European Day of Languages, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
Read more...
24 November 2020 (East Lothian Courier)
A teacher at North Berwick High School has been named ‘German Teacher of the Year’ by the German Embassy in London.
Suzanne Ritchie was presented with the award in recognition of her “outstanding dedication to and tireless support of the teaching of the German language”.
Miss Ritchie, a former pupil at Musselburgh Grammar School, lived and worked abroad for several years after university.
Her work mainly consisted of translating for the football organisation FIFA in Zurich in Switzerland.
In 2006, she decided to retrain as a teacher and joined North Berwick High School the following year.
She was encouraged to enter the competition by Ann Robertson, who leads East Lothian Council’s 1+2 languages development programme.
Read more...
24 November 2020 (SEET)
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) have launched their annual Our World language learning and filmmaking project. With a specific focus on building a sense of gobal citizenship and cultural understanding amongst participants, the project asks S3-S6 pupils to create multilingual films based on topical issues. Teams of 4 have the chance to create their films at an online workshop with professional filmmakers on hand to provide assistance and practical filmmaking tuition. Films must include at least one language other than English, and should be based on, this year, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
If you are interested in entering a team or multiple teams, please sign up here and ensure your pupils send us a storyboard of their film idea by the revised deadline of January 15th, 2021. Tons more information available on SEET's website, or by emailing alex@seet.org.uk. We look forward to receiving entries!
Read more...
18 November 2020 (The Herald)
Young Gaelic speakers who have a passion for the environment and a talent for songwriting could have their chance to shine, thanks to a new songwriting project launched by Highland arts organisation, Fèis Rois.
The competition, which is open to applicants until November, Monday 23, is calling on budding Gaelic songwriters from secondary schools across the Highlands to come up with new Gaelic material, connected to the environment and Scotland's landscape.
Fèis Rois, an arts organisation based in Dingwall, Ross-shire, has collaborated with NatureScot to launch 'Caithream na Cruinne', aimed at emerging Gaelic songwriters who take their inspiration from nature and the current environmental challenges.
Read more...
17 November 2020 (Language Show Live)
If you weren't able to join this year's online Language Show which took place 13-15 November, all the brilliant speakers can now be watched on-demand and entirely free of charge.
Read more...
10 November 2020 (Oxford German Network)
The 2021 Oxford German Olympiad run by the Oxford German Network at the University of Oxford is now open.
A range of age-specific tasks can be found on the competition website along with a taster category for entrants with no prior knowledge of German.
All the activities centre around this year's competition theme of Die Alpen.
Visit the website for more information. Closing date for entries: 11 March 2021.
Read more...
28 October 2020 (Scottish Book Trust)
Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading, supported by Creative Scotland and SLIC. This year's Book Week Scotland will be taking place from 16 to 22 November 2020.
The programme of events is now available. All are taking place online and whilst most are free to attend, the events are ticketed so make sure you book in advance.
As always, there's a selection of readings and events which will appeal to linguists. This year's collection of stories and poems on the subject of Future contains entries in Scots and Gaelic and the e-book is now available to download. For younger learners you can always access the Authors on Demand session exploring The Gruffalo in Scots and Gaelic.
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland - save the date!
23 October 2020 (SCILT)
We are pleased to announce that Languages Week Scotland 2021 will run from 1 - 5 February 2021. The theme is "Celebrating Scotland’s languages landscape" and we hope that schools and learners, universities and colleges, businesses and social enterprises, community and arts organisations across the country will join with us in celebrating the many languages learned and spoken in Scotland!
Follow the hashtag #scotlandloveslanguages for all the latest news, and don't forget to use this hashtag to share how you celebrate.
20 October 2020 (King's College London)
The German Department of King's College London is seeking to publish one original piece of writing in German on the topic of Die Digitale Zukunft, written by a student of German in Year 12 or 13 (S5 or S6 in Scotland).
The winning submission will be published in the winter edition of the Königspost, the Department newspaper, which has a wide circulation among university students and learners of German across the UK.
Visit the website and see the attached document for more information. Submission deadline is 20 November 2020.
Read more...
9 October 2020 (The Herald)
It’s the highlight of the Gaelic year and the community has come together to make sure the Mod will still take place – albeit in virtual form.
In common with all other major cultural events, the annual Mod has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic but although this has resulted in a dramatic change to the format there has been a positive outcome, according to James Graham, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach.
The decision to cancel the week long physical event was taken in May but the organisers, aware of the huge impact this would have on the Mod community, agreed to create an online version to fill the void in October.
While Mr Graham admits it was a daunting task, the switch has resulted in many more entries from across the world.
“We have had a lot of interest from people who would not necessarily got over to the Mod because of the travel costs,” he said. “But one of the positives this year was that they could actually take part by recording from where they were.”
Read more...
9 October 2020 (DAAD)
Das Wort der Zukunft – The word of the future
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Institute of Modern Languages Research (IMLR) are joining forces for the seventh time to invite all learners and lovers of German to take part in a German language competition.
This year’s competition aims to encourage learners of the German language to combine their linguistic creativity with their hopes and thoughts for the future. They say that new words capture the zeitgeist. New circumstances and events encourage us to create new terms to describe the world. Slowly but surely, these new words then become part of our everyday language.
Visit the DAAD website for more information and submit your entry by 8 January 2021.
Read more...
1 October 2020 (SCILT)
How did you celebrate European Day of Languages this year?
Email us a short description and some photos of your activities, and we will feature you in our EDL blog for 2020. We may even include your story in our next SCILT newsletter.
We already have our first blog entries uploaded, be sure to take a look!
Read more...
1 October 2020 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce the launch of Mother Tongue Other Tongue 2020-21! This exciting competition is now open, and we want to find the next generation of young multilingual poets in Scotland. The competition has been redesigned to suit our new digital era, and we are inviting young people to submit entries focussing on the spoken word. Videos, sound files, voiceovers, narrated presentations – whatever format fits best, we want to hear the voices of young linguists showcasing their language and poetry skills. It’s a great time to get involved with the creative side of language learning, so visit our MTOT webpages to find out more.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news
25 September 2020 (Scots Radio)
Plans have been unveiled for the return of the acclaimed Doric Film Festival – with some exciting developments set to be implemented for the second event.
Following the runaway success of the first two Doric Film Festivals, the second annual event is now inviting entries until November 1st and is asking applications to create a film around the theme: “Jist Faar I Bide.”
This time around, a total of nine awards will be spread equally across three categories, namely individuals, schools and community groups. Each will receive £500 towards the cost of producing a five-minute film which will be screened during an online event in spring 2021.
The much-lauded Doric Film Festival, which is supported by the Scottish Government, took the North East by storm during its inaugural event in 2019. It is the idea of award-winning Scots Radio Director Frieda Morrison who created the unique platform to celebrate the Doric language and its cultural identity.
Commenting on plans for this year’s Doric Film Festival, Frieda Morrison said: “Ongoing restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic have prompted a change of format for this event, and we hope that the changes will encourage even more people to get even more creative in support of the Festival.
“In previous years we have been heartened by the quality and diversity of entries and we are sure that the judges have a hard task ahead of them again this year.”
To find out more, visit www.doricfilmfestival.com or www.scotsradio.com
Read more...
26 September: The European Day of Languages
25 September 2020 (ECML)
Statement by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
Strasbourg, 25.09.2020 – At the Council of Europe’s initiative, the European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26 September - together with the European Commission. “The European Day of Languages gives us an opportunity to value and promote all languages and cultures in Europe. This year we are putting special focus on inclusive language education, which supports all learners to reach their potential and play an active part in diverse and democratic societies”, declared Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić.
Background information on the Day
It is estimated that there are over 225 indigenous languages in Europe, without even including languages which have arrived on the continent through migration.
The specific aims of the EDL are to:
- raise awareness of the importance of language learning in order to increase plurilingualism and intercultural understanding;
- promote the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe;
- encourage lifelong language learning in and out of school.
The Council of Europe and the European Commission work closely together on the co-ordination of the Day.
The dedicated website, which is available in 39 languages, provides details of the hundreds of events taking place in celebration of the Day, as well as a wide variety of resources and activities for everyone interested in languages and language learning. A new app, created specifically for the 2020 Day, encourages users to carry out a series of language challenges thereby developing further competence and confidence in using different languages.
Contact: Giuseppe Zaffuto, Spokesperson/Media officer, tel. +33 3 90 21 56 04
24 September 2020 (MLOE)
The competition invites Year 9 language students (S2 in Scotland) to do a little bit of research on how COVID-19 has affected an area in which a language other than English is spoken. This could be a language you speak outside of school, are learning independently, or are studying in school.
Students can work individually or in groups up to four to produce a poster submission based on their discoveries. Further guidelines and information about the competition can be found on the Modern Languages Outreach and Engagement website. Submission deadline: 18 December 2020.
Read more...
24 September 2020 (Voice of Islam)
We should all be encouraged to learn new language and age is never an excuse! On today's show, the importance and benefits of studying new languages and how it brings knowledge and a greater understanding of one another’s cultures.
Among the guests you can hear SCILT's Director, Fhiona Mackay, speaking about the European Day of Languages (7 minutes in).
Read more...
21 September 2020 (ALL)
ALLNE, NfLNE and partners are once again organising the annual European Day of Languages Competition for Schools and in 2020 it is again open to anyone! The organising committee invites language learners in any key stage to create a piece of text in a language they are learning on the theme: International city.
Submission deadline: Wednesday 7 October 2020.
Visit the ALL website for more information.
Read more...
17 September 2020 (SEET)
Our World is a languages and citizenship based film making project for S3 - S6 pupils. It's designed to complement the Curriculum for Excellence and help tackle the Attainment Challenge by providing a free project, which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Apply now to take part in the 2020-21 project.
Visit the SEET Our World webpage for more information.
Read more...
17 September 2020 (University of Oxford)
The Queen’s College Translation Exchange is inviting expressions of interest in our new competition for schools, The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators. The prize launches this month with ready-made resources designed to be used around European Day of Languages (26 September) and International Translation Day (30 September). The competition is for students of French, German, Mandarin, or Spanish across four levels in Key Stages 3-5.
The competition is inspired by the 'Juvenes Translatores' competition run by the European Commission, for which UK students are no longer eligible.
More information can be found on the attached document or on the competition website.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations
11 September 2020 (Scots Language Awards)
Celebrate Scots culture and language with the nation’s favourite icons at the 2020 Scots Language Awards online on Saturday 24 October at 8pm.
Awards will be presented in 11 categories. Visit the website for more information and to submit your nominations.
Read more...
11 September 2020 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our winter 2020 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages. We'd love to hear about any exciting or innovative work which took place during school closures, or any new projects being introduced this year.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 2nd October 2020.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
8 September 2020 (British Council)
Story-a-thon is a platform for young authors to explore their creative writing skills. To celebrate International Literacy Day children aged 5-11 are being invited to submit a story of no more than 350 words on the subject 'How Will You Make the World A Better Place.'
Stories can be written in English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic, whichever language they are comfortable with.
Visit the Story-a-thon website for more information. Submission deadline: 30 September 2020.
Read more...
3 September 2020 (SCILT)
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on 26 September each year. What is your school doing in 2020?
If you're looking for inspiration SCILT has compiled lots of ideas for primary, secondary and parents & families on our EDL webpage. You will also find links to competitions, blogs and websites with a huge range of celebration ideas and activities.
Let us know how you celebrate and we'll include you in our EDL 2020 blog! Send a short description and some colourful photos after your event to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
24 August 2020 (Goethe-Institut)
#oekoropa is a Europe-wide digital youth competition on sustainable travel.
Pupils between the ages of 16 and 19 and teachers from all EU member states are invited to create innovative proposals for a climate-neutral journey across Europe. With the competition, the Goethe-Institut aims to demonstrate that travel is still possible in these times – at least as a concept, and later in a very real way.
Form teams online and devise an innovative roundtrip from your hometown to the trio capitals of the EU Council Presidency (Berlin, Lisbon, and Ljubljana) and inspire us with your idea of a sustainable Europe. The deadline for submitting proposals is 1 October 2020.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information.
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4 June 2020 (German Embassy)
The deadline for nominations for this year's German Teacher Award has been extended to 30 September 2020.
So if you know of an outstanding German language teacher at your primary or secondary school – make sure that their dedication and excellence get the recognition they deserve!
Please note, pupils and teachers themselves cannot submit a nomination. This must come from the headteacher.
Visit the German Embassy website for more information and to make your nomination.
Read more...
3 June 2020 (The Story Is)
Could you be Young Scots Writer of the Year 2020? Enter our fantastic competition for young people aged 11-18 to write a poem, a story, a play or a song in the Scots language.
Visit the website for more information about the competition and submit entries by 24 June 2020.
Read more...
3 June 2020 (SEET)
Whilst we are all carry on with our home learning, SEET continues to offer opportunities for pupils to engage in language learning and citizenship projects from home. Due to such a high demand for our new SEET @ Home project, and the quality of entries for the 'Community in Isolation' theme (judgement of films ongoing), SEET is proud to launch SEET @ Home: Take Two! Once again, all pupils need is access to a smart phone or tablet (any device that shoots video), and to download a free app or two!
This project is open to all ages (both primary and secondary pupils). We invite pupils to make a short film (maximum 2- minutes) based on the theme 'Sustainability at Home'. We also ask that pupils include at least one language other than English in their films, making this excellent opportunity for pupils to develop and showcase their language learning. Our favourite films will win cinema vouchers!
If you would like to take part, and we really hope you do, then please get in contact with us by emailing info@seet.org.uk and we will send you more information. Alternatively, you can find more information on our website. We have created an online document that includes a suggested timetable, a list of recommended free apps and a few useful filmmaking tips and tricks which we think will really help.
The deadline for these films is Monday 22 June 2020 at 5pm. Please don’t forget to tweet about your experience using #SEETatHome to @SEET_scotland.
Read more...
7 May 2020 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published. Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning partnerships, our support for DYW and our new 'Discovering the Arabic World' initiative. Find out how schools celebrated Languages Week Scotland, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
Read more...
28 April 2020 (Stephen Spender Trust)
The 2020 Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation and the Polish Spotlight are now open for submissions! There are some exciting changes this year – as part of our aim to make the prize more inclusive and vibrant than ever, we are welcoming translations from rap and spoken word, as well as from BSL poetry. There will also be more prizes and commendations in our youth categories.
Stephen Spender Prize
Translate into English any poem from any language – ranging from Arabic to Uzbek, from Danish to Somali—and win cash prizes! There are categories for young people (14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under) as well as an open category for adults.
The ‘Polish Spotlight’
This is a special strand of the Stephen Spender Prize for the translation of Polish poems. Open to all UK or Irish citizens or residents, or pupils at British Schools overseas, there are usually three age categories for entrants: 18-and-under, 14-and-under and 10-and-under. Additionally this year there will also be a 16-and-under category. This year, we are inviting entrants to translate one poem from our curated selection of Polish poetry.
Visit the website for more information about both strands of the competition and submit entries by 17 July 2020.
Read more...
26 April 2020 (The National)
The Scots language is the source of many of the first words we hear. Bairn. Greet. Bonnie. For many of us it is the language of those we love most, those who raised us, who taught us about the world. The tongue of couthy grannies, freenly neebors, loving parents. It’s the language of funny rhymes an sangs like Ally Bally Bee an the Three Craws.
For a huge number of us it is the language of childhood but for almost as many it is not the language of adulthood. When we go to school, Scots switches to English. Scots has its place in the playground but not in maths or chemistry. So we store away so many great words – shoogle, bahookie, fankle, haver – that mean so much to us but that we seldom get to use.
Scots is the language of 1.5 million of us, about 30% of the population. In entire chunks of the country – the Borders, Shetland, the north-east – it is the everyday language of the clear majority. But there are many more areas of Scotland, particularly urban areas, where Scots is strictly socially policed. And across the nation as a whole, Scots remains almost entirely absent from classrooms, from publicly funded media and from the business of government.
Read more...
23 April 2020 (SCILT/CISS)
Are you looking for something to lighten your lockdown spirits? Well we might have just the thing!
The SCILT and CISS team have compiled a YouTube playlist of our favourite songs sung in or featuring languages other than English. From French chanteuses to K-pop, there's something for everyone. You might even discover your new favourite artist!
So far you can hear Arabic, Cantonese, Estonian, French, Gaelic, German, Irish, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Mongolian, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Welsh, and we’ll keep adding more.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch, listen, or dance along in your living room.
Read more...
17 April 2020 (German Foreign Office)
Are you between 5 and 19 years old? Do you love books and stories? Do you like to write? If so, please take part in our competition and get your prose, short story, essay or poem published in the next Foreign Office e‑book!
Tell us about your dream for the future.
All entries submitted in German or English will be edited by professionals and accepted in the following age groups:
- 10 years and under
- 11‑14 years
- 15‑19 years
The deadline for entries is 1 July 2020. The e-book will then be published and launched in August, when it will be available to download for free.
Visit the German Federal Foreign Office website for more information about the competition. You can also access previous editions of the e-book.
Read more...
16 April 2020 (Variety)
Kelly Clarkson dropped her new single “I Dare You” – along with duets of the song performed with five different singers in their native languages. The bundle sees Clarkson joined by Zaz (“Appelle Ton Amour” – French Version), Faouzia (“كنتحداك” – Arabic Version), Blas Cantó (“Te Reto A Amar” – Spanish Version), Glasperlenspiel (“Trau Dich” – German Version) and Maya Buskila (“בוא נראה” – Hebrew Version).
Clarkson will also share a world premiere performance music video for “I Dare You” on an episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” singing virtually with her global duet partners.
[...] “This is my favorite/hardest project that I’ve ever worked on” explained Clarkson. “It has always been a dream of mine, as I grew up singing in different languages, to find that perfect song, with the perfect message, to connect us all globally and then record that song with several other artists around the world in their native languages."
Read more...
1 April 2020 (uTalk)
In case you are looking for fun language learning activities for your schools - we've responded to the need for home learning with a competition, called the uTalk Language Games, the format gives entrants access to any one of our languages - pupils and teachers from the same school or class can learn together and compete, learning the same language - tracking their scores and rankings on a leaderboard exclusive to their group.
The competition builds on our award-winning Junior Language Challenge competition (JLC) which has helped more than 25,000 children learn languages over the last 15 years, but is now open to all - this has resulted rather amusingly in people of all ages, from grandchildren to grandparents competing against each other - spread around the country - indeed world ... entrance is £5, $5 or €5 and the competition runs until the end of July 2020.
Read more...
Mathématiques sans Frontières 2020
26 March 2020 (UWS)
Announcement from Alan Walker, University of the West of Scotland:
Due to the current pandemic, we've had to make a big change to the marking of the entries this year, and unfortunately we won't be able to hold our annual prize-giving. However, the overall winner of the Scottish side of the competition will still be offered a prize, and certificates to all schools who entered will be made available (once I can get back into my office).
With regards to the Top 10 teams of each competition, I'll release these over Twitter, in a countdown over the next couple of weeks. If you (or your school/department) don't already follow the MSF twitter account, please do so at https://twitter.com/MSF_Scotland.
For those of you not on Twitter, I'll email the Top 10s after announcing, and will be in touch with the winners directly.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting this competition each year. Thanks also to those who volunteer to mark each year (even though they got a year off this year!). A big thanks too to my colleagues Wan and Ken for their help in putting the questions together for the Scottish side of the competition.
26 March 2020 (University of Cambridge)
Could you imagine how the English language might change in the next 500 years? How about devising a sustainable long-term strategy for freight transport in the UK? Or could you write an object biography to bring history to life?
These are just three of the five exciting challenges Gonville & Caius College have launched this week for Year 12 students in any UK school (S5 in Scotland). This year set in Engineering, History, Linguistics, Modern Languages, and Natural Sciences, our Schools Prizes are designed to prompt lower sixth form students to think creatively and individually about the subjects they love. Each competition carries a first prize of £600, to be split equally between the winning candidate and his or her school or college, and a second prize of £400, which again is to be shared equally between the candidate and his or her school or college.
Visit the website for more information. Entry deadline: Friday 5 June 2020.
Read more...
16 March 2020 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has a fantastic competition for young people aged 11-18 to write a poem, a play, or a song in Scots Language. The competition is run in partnership with Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Government, Scots Hoose and Hands up for Trad.
Visit the competition website for more details and submit entries by Wednesday 24 June 2020.
Read more...
9 March 2020 (The Scotsman)
One of the great strengths of Gaelic culture in Scotland is that it cares not at all for the traditional distinctions between art forms; in the Gaelic-speaking world, music, song and theatre tend to appear as aspects of the same mighty storytelling tradition.
[..] “Maim is a Gaelic word that means panic, terror, consternation or alarm,” explains Muireann Kelly, after a week of rehearsals at the National Theatre of Scotland’s Glasgow base, “and there’s no doubt that we want this show to confront some huge and frightening issues we all face now. It’s about the continuing decline of native Gaelic language and culture in the islands, despite more people learning the language in the central belt of Scotland; and it’s also about the threat posed to traditional Hebridean and West Highland landscapes by climate change, as the sea rises into the machair.
[..] The only way you can really protect a language and culture is make new things out of it, to make it part of the present and future as well as the past; and that’s what we try to do.
[..] See Maim in Glasgow, Edinburgh and on tour to Inverness, Aberdeen, Oban and across the islands until 28 March.
Read more...
6 March 2020 (Education Scotland)
The German Embassy is looking for nominations for the German Teacher Award 2020.
Scottish schools have been notable by their absence from this competition, but thanks to the new German Consul General in Scotland, we are now firmly placed to have our fabulous German teachers in the running for this!
So if your primary or secondary school has an outstanding German teacher who deserves recognition, visit the German Embassy's website or see the attached flyer for more information about the award and how to submit a nomination by 10 April 2020.
Read more...
3 March 2020 (Goethe-Institut)
The German Olympics (IDO) is the biggest competition for the German language. Every two years over 100 students from all around the world meet to compete in their most beloved foreign language.
The competition is open to secondary school students born between August 2002 and July 2006.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information about eligibility and how to enter the competition. Submission deadline is 27 March 2020.
Read more...
Scotland loves languages: A celebration of success
2 March 2020 (SCILT)
Language leaders and local authority development officers joined representatives from national education organisations for a day-long event on 25 February 2020 to share the latest information on language learning in Scotland and to celebrate creative and innovative successes in language teaching.
The event, “Scotland loves languages: A celebration of success” was held in The Ramshorn at the University of Strathclyde. Delegates received an overview from Education Scotland on the position nationally of languages in the primary and secondary sectors and an update on the implementation of the Scottish Government’s flagship policy, “Language learning in Scotland: A 1+2 approach”. Delegates also heard analysis on uptake and attainment in languages, with a focus on data from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Speakers included representatives from Education Scotland, Scotdec, SQA and the University of Strathclyde.
Feedback from delegates has been positive. One stated: “[It was] enlightening to hear of developments across language learning and with the implementation of policy. [There were] plenty of ideas to cascade and disseminate to my schools. [It was] very useful to hear the present position of the 1+2 policy.”
Fhiona Mackay, Director of SCILT, states: “Language learning enriches lives and opens doors to opportunities. It encourages our youngsters to be curious about the world, widens horizons and develops understanding of other people, cultures, traditions and ways of life. Through learning other languages, we also develop a deeper understanding of our mother tongues and a greater appreciation of our own heritage. In other words, language learning builds tolerance and cohesion by giving us a way of recognising our similarities while celebrating what makes us different and unique. In short, it makes us citizens of the world.”
The event marked the annual celebration of languages, “Languages Week Scotland”. This week of events and activities in schools around the country showcases the wide range of languages learned and spoken in Scotland.
Depute First Minister, John Swinney, supports Languages Week Scotland and attended the launch on 4 February 2020 at the Scottish Parliament.
A social media campaign #ScotlandLovesLanguages ran through the duration of the week. Schools were able to share and celebrate the languages learned and spoken in their classrooms.
SCILT works with Education Scotland and LANGS (Languages Network Group Scotland) to deliver Languages Week Scotland.
Follow the hashtag #ScotlandLovesLanguages and discover how Scotland celebrated language learning this February.
2 March 2020 (Japan Foundation)
Last chance to apply for this year's Nihongo Cup, the Japanese Speech Contest for Secondary School students.
Finalists will be invited to perform their speech at the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies, University of Oxford in front of a panel of judges and VIPs from the field of Japanese language education and Japan-UK relations, for the chance to win some fantastic prizes – including a trip to Japan!
Visit the website for more information and to download an application pack. Closing date is 20 March 2020.
Read more...
24 February 2020 (Institut français)
Do you think you could sing or rap in French? Do you have the skills to make a video clip for your song? If so, this competition is for you!
The competition is open to any student or groups of students in full time education in the national-curriculum primary and secondary schools of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the Channel Islands, in 3 age-group categories: 7-11, 12-15, and 16-18.
Entries should be original compositions around 3 minutes long and must be performed in French.
Visit the competition website for more information and submit entries by 3 April 2020.
Read more...
20 February 2020 (The Press and Journal)
Passengers on CalMac ferries will be treated to a performance which celebrates the waters surrounding the Western Isles and the people who travel on them.
With the help of local communities and world class artists, Ferry Tales will bring a musical tale, told using English, Gaelic, and sign language, to three of Scotland’s major ferry routes.
Travellers from Oban to Craignure, Ullapool to Stornoway and Wemyss Bay to Rothesay will all have the chance to enjoy the show. Ferry Tales will feature songs by Scottish folk singer Josie Duncan, who is originally from Lewis and known for songs in Gaelic, Scots and English.
Read more...
18 February 2020 (Francophonie UK)
Vive la Francophonie Quiz is back!
Last year's quiz was a huge success, with more than 787 entries (individuals or collectives) around the UK.
This year the quiz is prepared by the Québec Government Office in London, together with the group Francophonie UK; so expect lots of question about la Belle Province, and not only about poutine, maple sirup, circus or Céline Dion!
There will also be the same number of questions about la Francophonie and french speaking countries.
The quiz is a fun way to test your French (or the French of your students) and learn more about the culture of the 88 countries part of l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)!
This quiz is open to UK learners of French in the United Kingdom. For the first time, we are also introducing a new category open to anyone living in the UK (all ages). Here are the categories:
● UK Secondary Schools : KS3 pupils (S1,S2, and S3 in Scotland) - can enter as teams or individuals
● UK participating Alliances Françaises and Instituts Français : all students, teens and adults
● UK people interested in French and French speaking countries
Registration is open until 13 March 2020. The quiz will be available online during la Francophonie week, from 14 to 22 March 2020.
Read more...
17 February 2020 (BBC)
Pupils from across the UK headed to London for the national final of a Mandarin speaking competition.
At stake is an all-expenses-paid trip to Beijing where they can test their language skills for real.
See the video.
Read more...
17 February 2020 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our summer 2020 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 13th March 2020.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter. Submissions can be sent to scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
10 February 2020 (Slator)
The European Commission announced the winners of the 2019–2020 edition of Juvenes Translatores on January 30, 2020. Twenty-eight winners bested a field that saw 3,116 students from 740 secondary schools participate.
It was the first time since its inception in 2007 that Europe’s annual competition for young translators was conducted completely online. The students, who were given the option to translate between any two of the EU’s 24 official languages, used 150 of 552 possible language combinations.
As in most other years, the highest number of participants came from Italy and Germany. This time, however, the United Kingdom dislodged France to take third place in terms of number of entries, in a year that marked the UK’s leaving the European Union the day after the contest winners were announced.
Read more...
6 February 2020 (Scotland-China Association)
Open to all pupils in P5, P6 and P7 in Scottish schools, this year's competition from the Scotland-China Association asks students to design a kite.
Kites have been made and flown all over the world for thousands of years, and are very popular in China. The aim of the competition is to inspire the creativity of Scottish primary school pupils and to encourage them to learn more about Scotland and China. Entries should explore ideas which demonstrate understanding of links between Scotland and China through the design for a kite. We are working in partnership with RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, where the prize giving will be held.
Individual or group entries are welcomed and should take one of the following forms:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Craftwork (for example an actual kite)
- Writing
- Photography
- Video/media/film (no more than 10 minutes long)
- Embroidery/stitching/textile
See the attached flyer for more information and the entry form, which must accompany all submissions. The deadline for entries is 15 May 2020.
Read more...
3 February 2020 (Newcastle University)
The LinguaChef Prize will be awarded to the person who uploads the best language learning recipe using the Linguacuisine recipe author software during the period 1 February to 15 June 2020. The prize consists of a payment of £200 plus a LinguaChef Gold Certificate. There are 2 runner-up prizes with £50 each plus a LinguaChef Silver Certificate. All will feature on the front page of all Linguacuisine media and the recipes will be promoted around the world on the website.
The language learning recipe can involve learning any language and any recipe. Entry to the competition is open to all and is free.
Visit the website for full details and submit entries by 15 June 2020. For any queries regarding the competition, contact Professor Paul Seedhouse - paul.seedhouse@ncl.ac.uk.
(PLEASE NOTE, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE LINGUACHEF COMPETITION PREVIOUSLY RUN BY SCILT.)
Read more...
28 January 2020 (Goethe-Institut)
The German Olympics (IDO) is the biggest competition for the German language. Every two years over 100 students from all around the world meet to compete in their most beloved foreign language.
We are happy to welcome the German Olympics for schools worldwide to the United Kingdom in 2020 for the third time. The competition is open to secondary school students born between August 2002 and July 2006.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information about eligibility and how to enter the competition. Submission deadline is 27 March 2020.
Read more...
24 January 2020 (SCILT)
Following the successful pilot last year, this exciting competition, using Spanish, design team work and creativity is now officially open to secondary schools across all local authorities in Scotland to take part in this year.
Aimed at S3, learners will work in teams to research and design a building in a Spanish speaking area. They will present their design in Spanish, and then go forward to represent their school at national level. The finalists will take part in a live event at the University of Strathclyde where their designs will be judged by industry professionals and academics. The winners (as part of their prize) will have their model made in 3D by the School of Architecture.
This highly motivating project for learners has had a positive effect on uptake in the senior phase for those schools who participated in the pilot in 2019. The skills focus delivers on key aspects of Developing the Young Workforce. The learner materials that are designed to fulfil evidence requirements for achieving Level 4 Benchmarks are available on the SCILT website, and can be easily adapted to suit your chosen group.
Visit the Eventbrite page to find out more and register your interest by Friday 27 March 2020.
Read more...
Language competitions
22 January 2020 (RZSS)
RZSS and our partner StampIT have launched language competitions. All are based on a fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives starting with just one postage stamp. Tell the story of a Spanish, French, Chinese or in fact any country/language stamp. Full details are on the attached pdf leaflets. There are specific leaflets for Spanish, French and Mandarin. There is also another leaflet 'Stamps from around the World' and for this competition any topic (including any language) can be entered. This activity links to the RZSS & StampIT language series.
The competition will continue to run each year, therefore there is no time limit for entries. However for entries to be shown in the 2020 Scottish Annual Congress, please send by 1 March 2020. Entries are encouraged from all age groups. Example pages are shown but younger pupils can still enter and possibly draw around the stamp and write a word or two in the language as appropriate. Pupils can enter more than one of the competitions.
Check out the attached leaflets for more information on each of the competitions. If anyone has difficulty in finding stamps, please contact Sandie Robb - SRobb@rzss.org.uk.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations
16 January 2020 (Education Scotland)
If you haven't already done so, make sure you get your nominations in for the 2020 Scottish Education Awards! The awards celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education.
The annual event recognises those who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcases the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
Among the wide range of categories are the awards for Gaelic Education and the Internationalism and Languages award.
Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for further information and to submit your nomination by 14 February 2020.
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7 January 2020 (FilmG)
You can now watch this year's YOUTH and OPEN category entries in the FilmG short film competition, and voting is open for the People's Choice Award.
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7 January 2020 (UKLO)
UKLO is a competition for students who are still at school (or equivalent college) – any age, any ability level, where competitors have to solve linguistic data problems. It’s free to enter and offers participants the chance to be the team selected for entry in the International Linguistics Olympiad. In recent years the UK teams in the international competition have been very successful.
Round 1 of the competition takes place 3-7 February 2020.
To find out more and to register to take part, visit the UKLO website.
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6 January 2020 (Institut français)
Do you think you could sing or rap in French? Do you have the skills to make a video clip for your song? If so, this competition is for you!
The competition is open to any student or groups of students in full time education in the national-curriculum primary and secondary schools of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the Channel Islands, in 3 age-group categories: 7-11, 12-15, and 16-18.
Entries should be original compositions around 3 minutes long and must be performed in French.
Visit the competition website for more information and submit entries by 3 April 2020.
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2 January 2020 (Japan Foundation)
Applications are now open for this year's Nihongo Cup, the Japanese Speech Contest for Secondary School students.
Finalists will be invited to perform their speech at the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies, University of Oxford in front of a panel of judges and VIPs from the field of Japanese language education and Japan-UK relations, for the chance to win some fantastic prizes – including a trip to Japan!
Visit the website for more information and to download an application pack. Closing date is 20 March 2020.
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16 December 2019 (UWS)
Mathématiques sans Frontières is an annual international mathematics competition for S4-S6 schoolchildren, centrally run by the Académie de Strasbourg since 1989. This interclass competition involves a number of mathematical puzzles where one of the puzzles is posed, and must be answered, in a foreign language. The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is organising the competition in Scotland and invites schools to register for the competition by 31 January 2020.
More information can be found in the attached invitation letter. Also attached is the registration form and a competition training test and answer sheet.
Further information about previous competitions can also be found on the UWS Mathématiques sans Frontières website.
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Parlons français 2020
6 December 2019 (AMOPA)
The competition for Advanced Higher students of French has now been running for over ten years and is back again for 2020!
To enter, all that's needed is a short recording of students as they prepare for their speaking test. Judges will assess it, provide feedback to everyone and some will be awarded prizes and certificates. It is hoped that taking part will be a useful exercise to support pupils' learning and preparation and not a distraction. Since they are practising anyway, why not let them have some feedback on that?
For more information and how to enter see the attached flyer.
Scottish school pupils show off their language skills in Mandarin Speaking Competition
6 December 2019 (CISS)
Over 40 pupils from 14 Scottish Schools put their linguistic skills to the test on 26 November as they bid to be crowned Scotland’s best Mandarin speakers. They took part in the Glasgow heat of this year’s British Council Mandarin Speaking Competition, held at the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) within Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT).
The winners of the heat will be announced next month after all the UK heats have been completed, and they will be put forward to the final in London in February 2020 with the overall winner winning a fully-funded educational and cultural visit to China. Now in its sixteenth year, the national competition aims to build interest in Chinese language and culture.
Mr Jiayi Chen, Teacher of Mandarin at Kinross High, said:
“Learning Mandarin has been incredibly important at Kinross High and our pupils gain so much confidence when using the language and taking part in the competition. We’ve seen a big impact from the opportunity to put language skills to use outside of a classroom setting. It’s also great to see that many of our students have been inspired to continue studying languages to a higher level.”
As the most spoken language in the world, Mandarin is recognised as a valuable skill for young people in the UK to acquire. 77 per cent of British business leaders surveyed in 2018 saying that speaking Mandarin will give school leavers a career advantage. Research by the British Council has found that Mandarin is the second most important foreign language for the UK’s influence on the global stage.
However, the numbers of pupils studying Mandarin are low when compared to other languages. This year, in Scotland for example, just 232 pupils took the Scottish National 5 exam in Mandarin compared to more than 10,720 students who took French and over 7000 pupils who took Spanish.
Jackie Killeen, Director, British Council Scotland said;
“It’s wonderful to see so many Scottish Schools and pupils involved in the Mandarin Speaking Competition this year – and we’re delighted to help host this event in Glasgow. Mandarin Chinese is a vital language world-wide and this competition provides a powerful way for students not only to enhance their language skills but also to broaden their horizons for life and work in the global economy. We wish all the pupils and Schools the very best for the heats and the final”.
Fhiona Mackay, Director, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, added;
“SCILT is delighted to host the Scottish heats of the British Council’s annual Mandarin Speaking Competition. These events highlight the importance of languages as key skills for life and work and showcase the talents of youngsters across the country who are enthusiastically learning Mandarin. It’s certainly not easy an easy task to speak in a language you are learning in front of a panel of distinguished judges and I am impressed by the young people’s courage, motivation and commitment. The confidence that is developed by taking part in such an event will serve them well throughout their school careers. Regardless of the outcome of the judges’ final decisions, everyone who takes part is a winner!”
Since 2003, around 3,000 young people from across the UK have entered the competition – with some of these pupils later going on to graduate in Mandarin Chinese.
Pupils can compete in the Individual Language Ability or the Group Performance section. In the Individual section, contestants give a short presentation in Mandarin and translate sentences from English into Mandarin. In the Group Performance section, groups of five students of mixed Mandarin experience perform a piece of drama in Mandarin, involving imaginative performances and drama.
The national final of the Mandarin Speaking Competition will take place in London on 5 February 2020.
6 December 2019 (Goethe-Institut)
The German Olympics (IDO) is the biggest competition for the German language. Every two years over 100 students from all around the world meet to compete in their most beloved foreign language.
We are happy to welcome the German Olympics for schools worldwide to the United Kingdom in 2020 for the third time. The competition is open to secondary school students born between August 2002 and July 2006.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information about eligibility and how to enter the competition. Submission deadline is 27 March 2020.
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6 December 2019 (Scottish Parliament)
Well done to all the semi-finalists and finalists of the Gaelic National Schools Debate. And congratulations to winners Sgoil Lionacleit and Raonaid Campbell from Sir E Scott.
The final was hosted at the Scottish Parliament on 5 December and is available to watch on the Scottish Parliament's TV channel.
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4 December 2019 (Scottish Education Awards)
The Scottish Education Awards celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education.
The annual event recognises those who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcases the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
Among the wide range of categories are the awards for Gaelic Education and the Internationalism and Languages award.
Nominations are now invited.
Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for further information and to submit your nomination by 14 February 2020.
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3 December 2019 (Greenock Telegraph)
It's a case of mind your languages for Greenock school pupils who impressed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as they put on a superb show at the Scottish Parliament.
Whinhill Primary were invited to bring their culture and diversity showcase to Holyrood and blew everyone away with a special performance.
The Greenock school uses performing arts to bring languages to life and the children were able to express themselves in Gaelic, German and Tamil.
Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan arranged for them to come to parliament and said they proved great ambassadors.
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2 December 2019 (Stornoway Gazette)
The semi-finals of the National Secondary Schools’ Gaelic Debate will take place on Wednesday this week.The first semi-final will see Inverness Royal Academy B up against Lionacleit School. The second debate will see Bishopbriggs High School take on Sir E Scott.The two winning teams will meet in the Final, at The Scottish Parliament on Thursday, December 5th, at 7pm, where they will debate, ‘In 20 years time, the real Gàidhlig communities will be situated in the big cities’.
Looking forward to the final, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, said: “Gaelic matters. “It is part of who we are and part of Scotland’s rich cultural identity. The humour, insight and linguistic skill displayed by young people in this competition year after year, convincingly demonstrates that the language continues to flourish. “It gives me immense pleasure that the final will be held on the floor of Holyrood’s debating chamber, marking this, our joint twentieth anniversary.”
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29 November 2019 (SCILT)
The winter 2019 edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published. Read about SCILT’s work to support the learning and teaching of languages, including our professional learning offer, our new DYW toolkit and the Scottish Languages Employability Award. Find out how schools celebrated the European Day of Languages this year, and hear from local authorities about their latest inspiring initiatives. There is also the opportunity to read about the work our partners have been doing to support language learning in Scotland.
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29 November 2019 (SCILT)
Are you looking for ways to bring the festive season to your languages classroom?
SCILT have compiled a range of online resources for use with your pupils, from songs and games to lesson plans and festive facts. Find out how Christmas is celebrated in France, Germany, Spain and around the world!
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28 November 2019 (Queens University Belfast)
This competition invites you to consider the linguistic ‘ingredients’ that make up place-names, and capture elements of these as they exist today in a photo
- Entries welcome from individuals and schools
- Cash prizes for both categories
- Easy to enter, email some details and the photo to townlands@qub.ac.uk
- Closes 31st Dec
- Funded by the ‘Language Acts and World Making project
Visit the website for more information.
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20 November 2019 (SEET)
Have you registered your school yet for either of the competitions run by the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET)?
The Euroquiz project is open to all P6 pupils across Scotland and sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, culture and European affairs. Heats commence January 2020.
Our World is a film making project for S3-S6 pupils asking them to use modern languages to express thoughts on topics such as migration and sustainable tourism through the media of film. Deadline for storyboard submissions is 3 December 2019.
More information about each project and how to register can be found on the attached document or visit the SEET website.
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8 November 2019 (ULIP)
Studying French at AS/A Level (or equivalent) and fancy a weekend away to the City of Light?
The University of London Institute in Paris’ (ULIP) annual Win a Trip to Paris competition is now open for students of AS/A-Level French (or equivalent)! The weekend offers the perfect chance to explore the French capital, try out your taste for croissants, and see what it might be like to live and study for your undergraduate degree in one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities.
This year's competition focuses on an important forthcoming event that will take place in Paris. To spur creativity, we have changed our format: this year we are inviting you to create an image caption. Be imaginative and bold! For your chance to spend a weekend in Paris, simply answer two questions and add your snappy caption under the image before midnight UK time 31 January 2020.
Visit the ULIP website for more information and to enter.
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Spanish stamp competition
7 November 2019 (RZSS)
RZSS and partner StampIT have launched a great new Spanish competition. It's a fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives all starting with just one postage stamp. Tell the story of a Spanish stamp. Full details about the competition and how to enter are on the attached pdf leaflet. This activity links to the RZSS & StampIT Spanish language pack (but you don't need the pack to enter).
The competition will continue to run each year, therefore there is no time limit for entries. Entries will be entered as appropriate to the current year competition, so schools can just send in when complete. All age levels can enter in primary and secondary.
3 November 2019 (Grampian Online)
Entries are being sought for an annual Scots language writing competition.
The Keith branch of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland are looking for entries for the Charles Murray Writing Competition, which encourages the passing down of the Scots language from generation to generation.
The competition was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Charles Murray, an Alford-born poet, and is now into its sixth year.
Work entered into the competition can be prose or poetry and can be written about anything – but has to be in Scots. The competition is open to anyone, of any age, but must be written by two or more people of different generations – for example mother and daughter or grandfather and grandson.
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28 October 2019 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut currently has the following opportunities for schools teaching German. Click on the relevant link for more information:
Visit the main Goethe-Institut website for more information about the organisation and the full range of activities offered.
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28 October 2019 (Institut français)
The Institut français d'Ecosse has launched their annual Concours de la Francophonie for schools, which aims to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland to celebrate the international day of la francophonie.
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French.
Entries can be submitted in four categories: P1/P4 - P5/P7 - S1/S3 - S4/S6.
The submission deadline is 20 January 2020.
This school competition is sponsored by TOTAL E&P, the Franco Scottish Society and is organised in partnership with the Alliance française de Glasgow, SALT, SCILT and the University of Edinburgh.
Visit the Institut français website for more information and to discover previous competition winners.
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25 October 2019 (African in Motion Film Festival)
The Africa in Motion Film Festival takes place from 25 October to 3 November. Screenings in Glasgow and Edinburgh include several foreign language films.
Visit the website for full details of this year's programme.
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25 October 2019 (The Daily Record)
Do you ken what the most iconic Scots word is? If not, dinnae get yourself in a fankle, you soon will.
A panel organised by the Scottish Book Trust have whittled our favourite Scots words to 30. And now the public have the chance to vote for them.
Tying in with A Year of Conversation and the International Year of Indigenous Languages, the public were invited to submit iconic Scots words through the charity’s social media channels and website. More than 200 words were nominated, from various dialects such as Doric, Shetlandic, Dundonian and Glaswegian.
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23 October 2019 (Scottish Book Trust)
Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place every November. The programme for this year's Book Week Scotland has just been launched. The programme includes workshops, poetry and storytelling sessions in Gaelic and Scots for both adults and children.
Visit the website to find out about events and activities taking place near you.
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19 October 2019 (The Times)
Cambridge academics are opening the country’s first museum of languages today but it will be located in a shopping centre, not one of its historic colleges.
World-renowned professors of linguistics are desperately trying to stem the decline in modern foreign languages at schools. The number of teenagers taking French GCSE has more than halved in the 15 years since taking a language ceased to be compulsory.
The museum has been set up in a shopping centre alongside high street stores like Clintons and Claire’s accessories, to encourage people – particularly children – to learn.
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17 October 2019 (French Film Festival)
The 27th French Film Festival takes place throughout the UK during November and December 2019.
Visit the Festival website to discover screenings near you. Educational packs are available to accompany the following films:
- La Famille Bélier
- Gus petit oiseau, grand voyage
- Une colonie
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16 October 2019 (King's College London)
The Department of German at King's College London are again holding their Königspost essay writing competition for year 12 and 13 students of German (senior phase in Scotland).
Students are invited to write an article in German on the subject of Jugend und Protest. The winning entry will be published in our popular newspaper, the Königspost, and there will be further prizes for the winner and runners-up.
See the attached flyer for full details about the competition and how to enter or visit the website. Submission deadline is 18 November 2019.
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15 October 2019 (The National)
Scotland's Gaelic development board has unveiled a new campaign inspired by a scheme in Wales aimed at spreading pride in the language.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig launched the “#cleachdi” hashtag at the Royal National Mod 2019 in Glasgow.
The body is urging Gaelic speakers and learners to include #cleachdi alongside #useit and #gaidhlig on social media, email signatures or by wearing the symbol on stickers, showing their pride in the language.
Shona MacLennan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig chief executive officer, said: “More and more people want to use and learn Gaelic and this initiative is a very positive and easy to use means to encourage more people to use more Gaelic in more situations.
“We will be joining all those who speak the language in displaying our pride at letting others know we are Gaelic speakers. We think #cleachdi is the perfect way to do this. So let’s #useit and put #gaidhlig firmly on the map.”
The new #cleachdi campaign is similar to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s “Iaith Gwaith”, or “Welsh at Work”, scheme, which is used in Wales to show that a service is available in Welsh.
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10 October 2019 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut invites secondary school students to take part in a competition to engage with questions about ecology, sustainability and Europe.
There will be different rounds in which the participating schools compete against each other. At the end, all students will be invited to the final in which the two winning teams will show their language skills.
The preliminary rounds will take place at participating schools whilst the final will take place at the British Council in London.
In order to prepare the students for the competition and to ensure that they can express themselves at the appropriate language level, the Goethe-Institut provides teachers with useful phrases.
The debating competition offers a great chance to actively use the German language in an authentic setting and at the same time to get to know other secondary school students from across the United Kingdom. Debating in a foreign language will bring immeasurable benefits to significantly improve the students' communication skills.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to register eligible teams of four by 25 October 2019. Spaces for taking part in the competition are limited and you will be confirmed after the deadline.
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8 October 2019 (Discovery Film Festival)
This year's Discovery Film Festival takes place from 19 October to 3 November. Now in its sixteenth year, the festival brings another selection of the best films for young audiences from around the world. With several native language films on offer, and a programme for schools, language learners have a great opportunity to test their listening and comprehension skills.
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7 October 2019 (The Times)
Glasgow’s first Gaelic poet laureate has urged Scotland not to treat the language like a “fragile vase that you can’t afford to drop” after a big decline in its use.
Niall O’Gallagher — who was appointed bard baile Ghlaschu, or Glasgow city bard, in July — said that Gaelic was under threat but thinking of it as a dialect that must be carefully preserved could make the situation worse. He also admitted that speaking it in public had become “awkward”.
The poet is urging learners to grapple and experiment with the language, and has called for more public spaces to embrace events in the language.
Subscription required to read full article
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7 October 2019 (Light Bulb Languages)
Write Away! is a magazine celebrating the writing that primary children do in their language lessons.
All primary schools across the UK are now invited to enter submissions for the next issue. The closing date is 23.59 on Friday 29 November 2019.
Visit the Light Bulb Languages website for full submission guidelines and to read previous editions of the magazine.
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4 October 2019 (The Herald)
Along with the growing interest in Gaelic culture, the Royal National Mòd is flourishing into a celebration that is more inclusive and accessible than ever.
This year the biggest Gaelic festival in the world returns to Glasgow for the first time since 1990 for Mòd Ghlaschu, nine days filled with music, arts, and sport.
The birth of the Mòd came in 1891, and ever since then it has been organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, which, for more than a century, has supported the teaching, learning, and use of the Gaelic language as well as the study and cultivation of Gaelic literature, history, music and art. The festival has held its royal charter since 1992, becoming Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd).
The main focus of the Mòd is competition, something that attracts the best in Gaelic sport and culture from Gaelic communities throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and the US.
Whether they are looking to compete or spectate, visitors can enjoy more than 200 competitive events in highland dancing, sport, literature, and drama, as well as Gaelic music and song. For example, this year sees the welcome return of the London Gaelic Choir after an absence from the Mòd.
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3 October 2019 (Oxford German Network)
The Oxford German Olympiad competition 2020 is now open!
The 2020 theme is Natur und Technik.
There are four age categories with different competition tasks for each, which can be found on the competition webpage. There is also a category for group/class submissions as well as a Discover German - Taster Competition for those with no prior knowledge of the language.
Visit the website for full details. Submission deadline is 13 March 2020.
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29 September 2019 (The Scotsman)
Writers, broadcasters, singers, poets and schools have been honoured at the first ever Scots Language Oscars, in the latest addition to the nation’s traditional arts and culture calendar.
The event, which saw 11 awards presented at the Mitchell Theatre in Glasgow, was launched to coincide with the United Nations’ International Year of Indigenous Languages initiative.
The new Scots Language Awards celebrate the country’s original tongue, which dates back around 1,400 years and is thought to have been spoken by almost a third of the population.
The event, backed by arts agency Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Scots Language Centre, has been instigated by Hands Up for Trad, who are also behind the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year contest, which has been staged for the last 20 years, and the Scots Trad Music Awards, which were launched in 2003.
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25 September 2019 (British Council Voices)
Spend enough time in any European country and you’re likely to hear English words peppering people’s speech.
But look more closely, and you’ll see how this is deeper than parroting your favourite Netflix show. English words have been blended, moulded, changed, mixed and adopted by European languages in many linguistic ways.
For European Day of Languages, we called on the expertise of colleagues in our offices across Europe to put together a non-exhaustive (but we hope still enlightening) library of our favourite English loan words.
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Statement from the President of the Federal Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, on the occasion of the European Day of Languages, 26th September 2019
23 September 2019 (Council of Europe)
Openness, tolerance and rejection of hate at all levels of society are key indicators of a strong, value-conscious and successful Europe.
At the initiative of the Council of Europe, the European Day of Languages (EDL) has been celebrated every year, on 26 September since 2001 – a call to encourage all European citizens to learn languages and to recognise and appreciate Europe's cultural diversity.
This special day represents an occasion to celebrate the many languages spoken within our countries and across our communities, and to demonstrate that all voices in Europe are treated with equal respect. These are the values of the Council of Europe, the continent’s oldest intergovernmental organisation which this year celebrates its 70th anniversary.
I am proud that Austria and the city of Graz host the Council’s European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML), which plays a special role in fostering language learning. 2019 also marks an anniversary year for the ECML; together with its 33 member states, it is celebrating 25 years of promoting plurilingualism which puts languages at the heart of learning and mutual understanding.
To celebrate the European Day of Languages, hundreds of events have been organised across Europe and beyond by schools, universities and cultural establishments, with Austria one of the most active countries in this regard.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports this wonderful initiative. I send you my best wishes for the future!
European Day of Languages website
Background information on the Day
It is estimated that there are over 225 indigenous languages in Europe, without even including languages which have arrived on the continent through migration.
The specific aims of the EDL are to:
- raise awareness of the importance of language learning in order to increase plurilingualism and intercultural understanding;
- promote the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe;
- encourage lifelong language learning in and out of school.
The Council of Europe and the European Commission work closely together on the coordination of the Day. The dedicated website, www.coe.int/edl, which is available in 39 languages, provides details of events taking place in celebration of the Day, as well as a wide variety of resources and activities for everyone interested in languages and language learning.
22 September 2019 (The Times)
It could cause a stooshie or a hootenanny, depending on your viewpoint, but Scots, the dialect or language that has been spoken in Scotland for several centuries, may get its own agency to help it survive.
Nicola Sturgeon is under internal pressure from SNP activists in this UN year of indigenous languages to recognise Scots as an official language. It could mean it is treated like Gaelic, which was given its own statutory agency, Bord na Gaidhlig, after a catastrophic drop in native speaker numbers.
Some nationalists believe the move would help many more people to learn or promote the so-called “mither tongue”, with support for it to be more widely taught, learnt and promoted as part of public life in Scotland.
Subscription required to read full article
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21 September 2019 (The Press and Journal)
The announcement that the Doric Film Festival will return coincides with the news that last year’s inaugural event, and its creator Scots Radio, have been nominated for awards in the prestigious Scots Language Awards.
Also nominated is John Black, headteacher of Meethill Primary School in Peterhead which won the schools’ section of last year’s Festival competition.
And Sheena Blackhall, who wrote and read a special poem for the Doric Film Festival awards, will receive the Janet Paisley Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scots Language Awards.
The Doric Film Festival is the brainchild of Scots Radio director Frieda Morrison, who created the platform to celebrate the Doric language and its cultural identity.
Read more...
20 September 2019 (ECML)
The latest issue of the European Language Gazette edited by the ECML has just been published in English and in French. This issue is dedicated to the 18th edition of the European Day of Languages.
Contents:
- Explore the online calendar of EDL activities and add your events!
- Handbook of Language Challenges and initiative for the Day
- What do you dare to do in a foreign language?
- Competitions galore!
- Do you know…?
- Last minute materials and up to date information
- 18 events taking place in celebration of the Day!
- Council of Europe and European Commission events taking place around the Day
Read more...
19 September 2019 (SCILT)
How are you planning to celebrate European Day of Languages 2019?
Email us a short description and some photos after your event, and we will feature you in our EDL blog for 2019. We may even include your story in our next SCILT newsletter.
If you are still looking for ideas on how to celebrate you can visit our EDL webpage which has lots of suggestions for activities, downloadable resources and links to useful websites.
Read more...
18 September 2019 (SEET)
Want to get pupils more engaged in language learning, global citizenship and encourage uptake? Are you keen to improve their confidence and win an award or two? Then get involved!
SEET’s popular Our World film making project has now launched for the 2019-20 year! Our World uses film making and global citizenship as a means to help pupils explore and improve their use of foreign languages. It’s totally free, and all you have to do is sign up. Last year over 70% of participant pupils said they were more likely to continue with their study of languages after taking part.
Teams of four, from S3-S6, need to come up with a creative idea for a film based on one of this year's themes and submit their storyboard by 3 December 2019.
See the attached flyer or visit the website for more information.
Read more...
German debating competition for secondary schools
16 September 2019 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut invites secondary school students to take part in a competition to engage with questions about ecology, sustainability and Europe.
There will be different rounds in which the participating schools compete against each other. At the end, all students will be invited to the final in which the two winning teams will show their language skills.
The preliminary rounds will take place at participating schools whilst the final will take place at the British Council in London.
In order to prepare the students for the competition and to ensure that they can express themselves at the appropriate language level, the Goethe-Institut provides teachers with useful phrases.
The debating competition offers a great chance to actively use the German language in an authentic setting and at the same time to get to know other secondary school students from across the United Kingdom. Debating in a foreign language will bring immeasurable benefits to significantly improve the students' communication skills.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to register eligible teams of four by 25 October 2019. Spaces for taking part in the competition are limited and you will be confirmed after the deadline.
12 September 2019 (SCILT)
Do you have a story to share with the languages community?
We are currently taking submissions for our winter 2019 newsletter. This is a great opportunity to promote what has been happening in your school or local authority with regard to languages.
We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 4th October 2019.
Visit our website to read the full submission guidelines, and to view previous editions of the newsletter.
Read more...
10 September 2019 (British Council)
Applications are now invited for the British Council Mandarin Speaking Competition 2019/20.
The competition provides a great, fun opportunity for secondary school students to practice and improve their Mandarin Chinese language skills along with the chance to win a week in Beijing!
Heats will be held in Belfast, Glasgow and London during November and December 2019 with the final taking place in London on 5 February 2020.
See the attached flyer for more information and visit the website for eligibility and entry criteria.
Entry deadline: 14 October 2019.
Read more...
28 August 2019 (TES)
As educators, we are used to teaching our pupils in English. Sometimes we may use French or Spanish, consolidating our learning of these languages into our daily routine. But how often do we teach in or teach through Scots?
Every January, as we celebrate the life of Robert Burns, children across Scotland busily and eagerly learn a Scots poem ready to recite to their peers – but for many learners that is it.
Could we, and should we, be doing more?
In the 2011 census, over 1.5 million people self-identified as being able to speak Scots. With a language that is spoken that widely, shouldn’t we extend our teaching of Scots beyond a once-a-year celebration?
The Scots language is part of our culture and heritage and by teaching Scots – beyond dipping our toe in to celebrate Burns night – we are recognising and placing value on the diverse language and vocabulary that many pupils bring with them to school.
Read more...
23 August 2019 (SEET)
Our World is a languages and citizenship based film making project for S3 - S6 pupils run by the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET). It's designed to complement the curriculum for excellence and attainment challenge by providing a free project, which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Participants submit a storyboard outlining the film they propose to make. This year's films should explore the idea of global citizenship and touch on one or more of the following themes:
- Migration and welcome
- Sustainable Tourism
- Trade
The film must also include the use of a language other than English. Entry deadline is 3 December 2019.
Schools wishing to take part should visit the SEET website for more information and to register.
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News from language & education organisations
23 August 2019 (European Commission)
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Translation (DG Translation) runs Juvenes Translatores 2019, an online translation contest for secondary schools in the European Union. Up to now, we’ve been asking Juvenes Translatores contestants to put pen to paper. Now we want to bring them closer to the real world of professional translation world by going digital. This time round, contestants will be translating online for the first time.
Interested schools can enter 2-5 participants who must have been born in 2002. Schools can register on the official website between 2 September, 12 noon (Central European time), and 20 October 2019, 12 noon (Central European time). A random electronic draw will be held to select schools for the contest from among those that have registered. The contest will be held on 21 November 2019.
Visit the Juvenes Translatores website for more information.
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14 August 2019 (Daily Record)
Two Galloway writers are among nine scrievers nationwide to be awarded funding to support their work in Scots.
Stuart A Paterson from Kirkbean and Susi Briggs from Gatehouse have both received Scots Language Publication grants.
The scheme, funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Book Trust, was created by the Scots Language Resource Network to support Scots publishers and to encourage Scots writers.
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13 August 2019 (Scottish Gaelic Awards)
The Scottish Gaelic Awards reward all aspects of the Gaelic language and culture across the length and breadth of the country.
The Daily Record, alongside headline sponsor Bòrd na Gàidhlig are proud to host the most prestigious night of the year within the Gaelic community calendar. Celebrating Gaelic culture, education and language highlighting the excellent work undertaken to maintain growth and heritage.
The awards are now in their seventh year and attended by over 200 guests including finalists, event sponsors and members of the Gaelic community. The event itself will be a celebration embracing traditional and modern entertainment.
The Scottish Gaelic Awards will take place on Tuesday 19 November at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel and returning to host the event will be Scottish Broadcaster and Producer, Cathy MacDonald.
Visit the website for more information and to view the award categories. Submit your nominations by 25 September 2019.
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Related Links
Gaelic Awards: hail the Gaels (Daily Record, 13 August 2019)
Young culinary and linguistic talents celebrated
21 June 2019 (SCILT)
Thirty-one young learners from across Scotland cooked up a storm on Friday 14 June 2019 at the City of Glasgow College, testing their culinary and language skills in the LinguaChef 2019 competition final. Dunblane High School were crowned as winners in the Secondary category. Glasgow Academy Milngavie were winners in the P1-P4 category, whilst Doune Primary took the honours in the P5-P7 age group.
The competition is a partnership project from Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) and City of Glasgow College. It brings together languages and food, challenging primary and secondary school pupils to create an international dish from a country whose language they are learning in school, or which is spoken at home.
Participating schools entered the recipe for the dish, including ingredients and instructions, in both the language of the chosen country and in English. Finalists from each of the age categories (P1-P4, P5-P7 and Secondary) were selected to attend the Grand Final where they prepared, cooked and presented their dish to professional chefs and judges.
One teacher said of the competition: “It was an excellent experience for pupils to see the college facilities and to engage with cooking and language skills.”
A participating pupil added: “I liked that it gave us a chance to have a conversation in French and to work in a team.”
Fhiona Mackay, Director of SCILT, said: “Food is a fundamental part of any culture and is inextricably linked with language. Much of the vocabulary used in English to describe food originates in other parts of the world. Words from other languages, such as chef, cuisine, pizza, tapas, paella and frankfurter are all commonplace and English speakers feel particularly comfortable with them. It is therefore very fitting to see our children and young people exploring culture and deepening their language skills while developing their understanding of food, its origins and preparation. The competition provides another great example of the cross-sector work going on in the languages community in Scottish schools, colleges and universities and we are thrilled to be working with our colleagues from City of Glasgow College in this initiative.”
As activities heated up in the kitchen, dishes from France, Greece, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and South America were produced, celebrating culinary and cultural diversity.
The pupils got the chance to discuss their dish with the judges, both in English and the target language, and decorated their presentation table with artefacts representing the country and culture.
Winners were selected based on the culinary success of their dish, presentation and table display and the ability to discuss their recipe in the target language. The successful teams were awarded a trophy. All participants at the event received a certificate and goody bag.
LinguaChef is an annual competition that provides pupils in primary and secondary schools across Scotland with an opportunity to have fun with food and languages whilst honing other important skills such as team-work, communication and IT.
Entries were submitted from schools in East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Shetland, Stirling and West Lothian.
Find out more about the event and winning recipes on the SCILT website.
28 May 2019 (Light Bulb Languages)
Write Away! is an exciting new project from Light Bulb Languages.
It's a magazine celebrating the writing that primary children do in their language lessons.
Open to all primary schools across the UK, submissions are now invited for issue 2. Closing date is 23.59 on Friday 27 September 2019.
Visit the Light Bulb Languages website for full submission guidelines.
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NEW! Languages in a nutshell
16 November 2018 (SCILT)
NEW! Languages in a nutshell
Languages in a nutshell is a guide to learning languages, produced by SCILT in partnership with The National Parent Forum of Scotland. Aimed at parents, this leaflet explains how the 1+2 Approach will be put into practice and why learning other languages is so important. It also suggests ways parents can support their child’s language learning.
If you are interested in ordering this leaflet for your school please visit our Leaflets page.
Languages in a nutshell is one in a series of Nutshell leaflets produced by The National Parent Forum of Scotland.
5 November 2018 (SCAT)
Cinemaattic’s Catalan Film Festival returns to Scotland bigger than ever with ten days celebrating Catalan culture.
The festival runs from 2-5 November in Glasgow and 13-18 November in Edinburgh. Scotland Catalan Film Festival is back with a new name – SCAT – and an extended programme of films where music, poetry and performance will also be part of this year’s edition.
Visit the website for full details.
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1 November 2018 (An Comunn Gaidhealach)
The organisers of the Royal National Mòd have published their latest newsletter which is available to view online.
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1 November 2018 (Japan Foundation London)
We are delighted to announce that the 14th Japanese Speech Contest for University Students is open for applications!
This contest gives students the chance to make their voices heard in Japanese, and win some fantastic prizes! Finalists will all perform their speeches on Saturday 2nd March 2019 at King’s College London.
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30 October 2018 (Glasgowist)
Glasgow’s Gaelic heritage is celebrated every year as part of the Celtic Connections festival. This year, there was also the Glaschu festival in August, with Gaelic poetry in Queens Park and a Ceilidh on Glasgow Green. Every year, the city is filled with the spirit of Scots Gaelic heritage, as tourists and Glaswegians unite for a celebration of Scottish tradition.
With song and dance at the heart of Gaelic culture, it is no wonder that it continues to fascinate the world. Recent books and television series have prompted a surge in interest in the Gaelic language, while Betfair hosts a slot game called Gaelic Luck. The University of Glasgow has been teaching Gaelic to undergrads for 50 years, and a recent literary festival and ad hoc lessons in Gaelic have responded to a surge in interest.
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30 October 2018 (BBC)
BBC Culture polled 209 critics in 43 countries to find the best in world cinema.
We felt it was time to direct the spotlight away from Hollywood and celebrate the best cinema from around the world. We asked critics to vote for their favourite movies made primarily in a language other than English. The result is BBC Culture’s 100 greatest foreign-language films.
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29 October 2018 (British Council)
Teachers and school leaders in the UK and across the world are being encouraged to bring the world into their classrooms to celebrate International Education Week (IEW).
Each year, the British Council encourages schools to celebrate International Education Week to promote the benefits of international collaboration, languages and cultural exchange. During International Education Week, 12-16 November, The British Council is focusing on global communication and particularly language learning, believing these skills are more important now than ever. That is why this year’s theme is ‘Be International’.
Visit the British Council International Education Week website to find out more about how your students can take part in the Great Schools Online challenge and to access the IEW teaching resources.
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25 October 2018 (SEET)
SEET is delighted to announce that registration is now open for Euroquiz 2018-19!
Euroquiz is an annual project open to all P6 pupils across Scotland, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, culture and European affairs. Heats take place in every local authority from January to March, with the winning teams from all areas going forward to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in May.
See the attached flyer to find out more about how your school can get involved and visit the website to watch the Euroquiz Highlights Film for a taste of the Euroquiz journey, including interviews with previous participants and teachers.
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French,
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News from language & education organisations
24 October 2018 (Daily Record)
The finalists have been announced for this year’s Daily Record and Bòrd na Gàidhlig Scottish Gaelic Awards.
The awards pay tribute to all aspects of Gaelic culture, education and language.
And the winners will be revealed on Wednesday, November 14, in Glasgow.
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16 October 2018 (Press and Journal)
A youth committee is working with An Comunn Gàidhealach to shape the Mods of the future.
The group was set up this year giving a nod to The National Year of the Young Person – and so far has set its sights on modernising the way in which the historic organisation communicates with the public to secure its future.
The committee of three – Shannon MacLean, 21, Padruig Morrison, 22 and Katie MacInnes 18 – is supported by 25-year-old Alison Bruce who is also employed by An Comunn Gàidhealach.
Miss MacLean, from Mull, said: “Being on the committee has been very interesting. Our main goal is to get more young people to come to the mod and get them involved in local mods around the country.
“This is my third mod in Dunoon, and it is certainly the competitions that have helped me, as a non-native speaker, take the language seriously.
“My job is to make sure it survives for a long time yet.”
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Related Links
Top Gaelic learner blooms at the Mòd (The Scotsman, 17 October 2018)
14 October 2018 (Argyllshire Advertiser)
It’s Mòd time again, and the Gaelic party is well and truly up and running in Dunoon.
Storm Callum and well-publicised road closure problems at the Rest and be Thankful were never going to prevent Gaels from all over Scotland and beyond from enjoying themselves.
Friday saw the the Royal National Mòd (Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail) get into full swing with an energetic night of live music and celebrations, as Scotland’s biggest Gaelic cultural festival arrived in the Argyll town.
The Mòd is set to bring thousands of people to Dunoon as visitors and competitors until Saturday October 20.
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13 October 2018 (BBC)
A 22-year-old singer from Skye has been named Gaelic Ambassador of the Year, as the Royal National Mod gets under way.
Eilidh Cormack, from Portree, said she was "absolutely delighted".
The Gaelic cultural festival began in Dunoon on Friday night, with a special celebration honouring Scotland's Year of Young People.
Over the next eight days there will be more than 200 competitions and events in Highland dancing, sport, literature, drama, Gaelic music and song.
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12 October 2018 (Education Perfect)
Raise the profile of languages at your school. The competitive element threaded through Education Perfect can excite and engage even the most unenthusiastic students!
The championships are a brilliant chance for revision of vocabulary and celebration of achievements in language learning. Students compete live and online from computers and iPod/Android apps.
The competition runs from 6 - 13 November 2018 and registration is now open!
Visit the website for more information.
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Königspost competition 2018
12 October 2018 (King's College London)
King's College London's Department of German is delighted to announce its 2018 competition for Year 12 and 13 students of German, the equivalent S5 and S6 in Scotland.
Students are invited to write an article of around 400-450 words in German in response to this quotation from a short story by the German-Japanese author Yoko Tawada: ‘Das Monsterbaby erwartet von der Mutter Meer, immer wieder neue Windeln zu waschen. Das Meer wird als eine überdimensionale Waschmaschine benutzt.’
The winner and runners-up will be invited to a prize-giving ceremony and seminar at King's College London in early December 2018.
Entries should be submitted by 22 November 2018. See the attached flyer for more information.
12 October 2018 (Scottish Book Trust)
Book Week Scotland is a week-long celebration of books and reading that takes place every November. This year's event is taking place from Monday 19 – Sunday 25 November 2018.
There are a range of events, some with specific appeal to Gaelic and Scots readers. Visit the website to find out more on these and other ways you can get involved. Why not host a foreign language reading club or book sale?
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11 October 2018 (SEET)
SEET’s popular Our World film making project has now launched for the 2018-19 year! Our World uses film making and language learning as a means to help pupils explore the themes of LfS and the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s totally free, and all you have to do is sign up.
The project has been running for the past 6 years, has a proven track record of encouraging languages uptake at higher secondary levels, and is open to any team of four from S3 - S6 (no previous film making knowledge is required). All teams have to do to enter is come up with a creative idea for a film, based on one of this year's themes. Then, with SEET’s help teams put that idea into storyboard form and send it to us with an audio or video clip explaining it. The deadline for storyboard submissions is 5th December 2018.
Themes:
As part of a team of four, come up with a creative idea for a short film about being a citizen of the world. Your team should consider one of the following themes to get you started:
- Sustainable Tourism (going on holiday, exploring other countries and cultures and making a positive impact on the environment)
- Migration and welcome (refugees, moving abroad, how people are treated)
- Trade (how businesses work in different countries, importing and exporting)
All films must include the use of at least one language other than English - but the more the merrier!
After all the entries are submitted, 18 teams from across Scotland will be invited to one of three regional film making workshop days (roughly 6 teams per workshop) where they will get the opportunity to make their film a reality. Pupils are given technology and professional film-making training on the day to help them, so don't worry if they don't have experience - all they need are their ideas.
Throughout the project SEET staff are happy to make trips to schools to work with classes and answer any questions you might have.
If you'd like to register or sign up a team visit the website, where you can also hear previous participants talk about their experience of the project, OR contact Madeleine McGirk at SEET (madeleine@seet.org.uk).
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Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
Technology,
News from language & education organisations
10 October 2018 (Africa in Motion Film Festival)
Africa in Motion is Scotland’s major annual celebration of African cinema, and is delighted to return for the 13th year to bring audiences in Edinburgh and Glasgow a wide variety of creative stories from across the African continent.
Screenings will take place from 26 October to 4 November. Several films in the programme will offer the opportunity to brush up your language skills in French, Arabic, Japanese and Swahili.
Find full programme details on the website.
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8 October 2018 (The Herald)
When cult Gaelic rock group Runrig signed off at their final concerts at Stirling some weeks ago their popularity with fans of all ages was abundantly evident. Forty years earlier these young Gaelic speakers launched their band and captured the lasting interest of many in their language and the challenging history of their people.
The group instilled new confidence and self-esteem among young Gaels and in communities in other countries. Runrig’s appearance coincided with renewed interest in Gaelic language revival and their music