Latest News

19 May 2026 (The Herald)

A parade celebrating Ukrainian culture will take place in Glasgow this weekend, to celebrate Vyshyvanka Day.

The holiday celebrates the Ukrainian national dress, an embroidered shirt worn by both sexes, and was first celebrated in 2006.

For the 20th edition a Vyshyvanka Parade will take place, with participants to gather at Kelvingrove Art Gallery from 12.15 for a 1pm start.

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19 May 2026 (British Council)

Supported by Formula 1, Learning Sectors connects your pupils with a partner school in India or Spain while building STEM knowledge and improving their real-world communication, presenting and spoken skills.

Building on our exciting first year that reached over 150,000 young people across more than 700 schools worldwide, the programme brings schools together to tackle real-world STEM challenges and develop real-world communication skills!

Communicating science and engineering is as important as understanding it and through its global broadcasting platform, Formula 1 shows how clear, confident communication brings STEM to life for audiences worldwide.

For this year, Learning Sectors includes a new, exciting, enhanced focus on oracy and communication skills, supporting current school priorities around developing pupils’ ability to collaborate effectively and communicate with confidence.

Alongside their STEM learning, students will take part in activities that build these skills, from discussing ideas with international partners to presenting their thinking and solutions. Inspired by the fast-paced, team-based environment of Formula 1, this integrated approach helps pupils develop the communication skills they need for future learning, careers and global collaboration.

Visit the website for more information and to apply for the new round commencing October 2026!

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19 May 2026 (British Council)

Are you wondering how Erasmus+ can benefit your school? Or maybe you’d like to find a partner school to work with? With the next funding application window fast approaching in November 2026, it’s time to start planning now.

This June, we are organising a series of free online events to help schools discover what Erasmus+ can offer and get started on a project with an international partner.

Whether you are just starting your journey or looking for the perfect partner, we have a session for you.

Visit the British Council website for more information about the Erasmus+ sessions available for schools during June 2026.

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18 May 2026 (Languagenut)

Many schools subscribe to multiple tools for languages vocabulary, grammar, exam prep, and games. Languagenut brings all of this together in one place, with consistent data, engaging activities, and full curriculum alignment.

What do teachers really think of Languagenut?

“Possibly the most effective app I have ever used to not only support teaching of languages and our EAL pupils I have ever experienced, but our pupil's absolutely love it! Even our most reluctant language learners engage with it! As Language Lead Learner I am loving the tracking facility now available.” Teacher at Boghall Primary School 

"As a department, so far, we are really enjoying Languagenut and as are the pupils. We are using it for year group competitions and this has really motivated the pupils, who are enjoying playing the games to win points and practicing their learning. We are also finding it beneficial for the senior pupils who are using it to prepare for their exams.” Teacher at Lourdes Secondary School

Experience engaging tools, curriculum-matched resources, and time-saving teacher workflows. Try a free trial today and see how Languagenut can transform language learning at your school!

Email

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17 May 2026 (Pressreader / The Herald)

Staff and stu­dents at Heriot-watt have joined forces to warn pro­posed redund­an­cies and course clos­ures now threaten lan­guages teach­ing, online learn­ing and the long-term future of Scot­tish higher edu­ca­tion.

It is a bucolic morn­ing in the south of Edin­burgh as I step off the num­ber 25 bus. It is just five miles from the city centre, but walk­ing down a tree-lined path to the smell of wild onions, it could be a world apart. Then emer­ging from the woods on to a round­about full of angry pink-clad aca­dem­ics, and real­ity comes crash­ing back. I am in Ric­car­ton, home to Heriot-watt Uni­versity.

The aca­dem­ics and other staff protest­ing on the pave­ment are mem­bers of the Uni­versity and Col­lege Union (UCU), and it is in defi­ance of the uni­versity, or rather, its man­agers, which has brought them to the picket line.

Heriot-watt faces an exist­en­tial chal­lenge to two com­pon­ents of its insti­tu­tional frame­work – its depart­ment of Lan­guage and Inter­cul­tural Stud­ies (LINCS) and online learn­ing hub Scholar.

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16 May 2026 (BBC)

A musician who played at the Highland wedding of Madonna and filmmaker Guy Ritchie is helping to resurrect a local Gaelic festival which paved her way to that performance.

Jennifer Port plays the clarsach, a traditional Celtic harp, and performed at the couple's big day in Dornoch in 2000.

The Highland-based harpist and singer is chairing a committee reviving a local mòd, a celebration of music and language, that was last held in Golspie 10 years ago.

Taking place on 6 June, it will feature competitions in singing, piping, clarsach, fiddle and Highland dancing.

Read more...

14 May 2026 (The National)

More than 20 MSPs were sworn in to the Scottish Parliament after saying their oaths and affirmations in languages such as Gaelic, Mandarin, Shetlandic, French and Scots.

As well as taking oaths in English, a number of MSPs used additional languages when taking their oath, with the SNP’s Karen Adam using British Sign Language – which she learned as a child to help her communicate with her deaf father.

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14 May 2026 (Institut français)

The Summer School programme with the AF de Normandie is back!

For primary teachers

Designed for non-specialist primary school teachers who wish to improve their French language skills (no teaching methodology involved here).

Location: Alliance Française de Normandie, Rouen, France

Date: Sunday 2 August to Sunday 9 August 2026

Eligibility: Primary School Teachers teaching French

Content: General French language group courses will be offered (20h) as well as 2 workshops focused on French phonics. This summer school is intended to help teachers upskill their proficiency in the language in order to feel more confident in the classroom. Please note that the course will not cover the pedagogy of teaching French and will not provide any teaching materials or techniques.

Fees: Training fees, breakfast, dinner and accommodation in a French host-family are covered by the Institut français du Royaume-Uni. Travel expenses will be incurred by the participant.

Registration deadline: Sunday 31 May 2026

Apply now 

All applications will be reviewed. Selected candidates will be contacted by mid-June.

For secondary teachers

Location: Alliance Française de Normandie, Rouen, France

Date: Sunday 2 August to Sunday 9 August 2026

Eligibility: Secondary School Teachers of French (KS3 – KS5), with a minimum level of French equivalent to B2.

Following the Summer School, selected participants will be invited to run a workshop with the Institut français du Royaume-Uni to share tips and best practices with other UK-based teachers.

Content: Through a series of workshops, the summer school will focus on cultural skills and innovative pedagogical practices in French class. On the programme: jeux & grammaire ludique ; phonétique en classe ; lexique : carte mentale & approche interculturelle.

Fees: Training fees, breakfast, dinner and accommodation in a French host-family are covered by the Institut français du Royaume-Uni. Travel expenses will be incurred by the participant.

Registration deadline: Sunday 31 May 2026

Apply now

All applications will be reviewed. Selected candidates will be contacted by mid-June.

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14 May 2026 (The Conversation)

From live speech translation in video calls to auto-dubbing on TikTok, the technology to dissolve language barriers has arrived. Real-time translation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is now embedded in everyday life.

Tools from OpenAI, Meta, Google and many others now offer near-instant translation across dozens of languages, and they keep improving.

All this raises a vital question. If machines can do this faster and more accurately than humans, is investing years in learning another language still worth it?

The logic is appealing. Humans have always offloaded cognitive work onto tools. Writing reduced demands on our memory. Calculators removed the burden of mental arithmetic. AI sits within this long tradition. Used well, it can support learning and expand access in ways that matter enormously.

But there’s a difference between using a tool to extend your capabilities and using it to avoid doing something altogether. That distinction becomes important when you are not just replacing a skill, but a form of cognitive and cultural engagement.

The effort is the point. Effort plays a central role in how we acquire knowledge.

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13 May 2026 (SCILT)

The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published!

Read about SCILT's work to support language learning and teaching, including our latest language initiatives, awards and competitions. Find out about the about the inspiring and creative activities going on in schools and local authorities around the country. 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...

13 May 2026 (Wonkhe)

Higher education “cold spots” aren’t new, but they’re becoming harder to ignore. Since 2024, our team at the British Academy has tracked cold spots – areas with no provision in a subject within a commutable distance – across social sciences, humanities and arts (SHAPE) provision, identifying clusters across the North, East and South West of England, as well as in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In September 2025, we reported that Modern Foreign Languages are already under acute pressure, alongside disciplines such as Linguistics and Anthropology, while more widely studied subjects including English and History are also beginning to show signs of strain.

Taken together, these trends increase the prospect that cold spots could become a systemic feature of the higher education landscape.

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13 May 2026 (GCHQ)

In November 2025, nearly 3000 teams of Year 9 students from across the country took part in GCHQ’s annual National Language Competition (NLC), a week long virtual competition where teams from around the UK competed against each other to solve language-based puzzles and score points. More challenging than ever, the teams had over 70 puzzles available to complete making it a fierce competition.

Our winning team for 2025 with an impressive total score of 8590 points come from Greater London. Team Devoted Jellyfish, (Linh, Sophie C, Samhitha, Sophie D) were all invited to Cheltenham to learn more about GCHQ, receive the highly coveted NLC trophy presented by Director Anne Keast-Butler, speak to staff about the work they carry out and discover more about GCHQ's vital language mission.

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13 May 2026 (Times Higher Education)

How to develop intercultural communication in students of different ethnic backgrounds, from the perspective of a translation educator.

“This is my first time interacting with non-Chinese students. I find it interesting and meaningful.” (Nicole)

Nicole, a Cantonese-speaking local student, was enrolled in my course, Introduction to Translation Technology. I’ve heard similar feedback from other students.

The non-Chinese students Nicole refers to are often labelled “ethnic minorities” and typically refer to South Asians. Whether they are newly arrived immigrants or longstanding residents of Hong Kong, many of them may not speak the city’s two primary languages – Cantonese and Mandarin – affecting their full participation in society, particularly in education.

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12 May 2026 (Primary Language Network)

From Monday 8 to Thursday 11 June, the Primary Languages Network are hosting The Importance of Primary Languages: a free four-evening webinar series for everyone who cares about the standard of languages teaching in our primary schools.

Four sessions. Four nights. All free!

Secure your place now.

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12 May 2026 (Stephen Spender Trust)

Calling all language teachers! Bring creative translation into the classroom with the Stephen Spender Prize for poetry in translation - open for entries until 31 July 2026.

The annual competition celebrates the creativity of young people across the UK and Ireland – and their teachers! The free to enter Prize has categories for schools, teachers and individual young people, which welcome translations from all languages, as well as a special ‘Spotlight‘ strand that each year focuses on a different widely spoken language. Our Spotlight language for 2026 is Polish.

Visit the Stephen Spender Prize website for more information.

Read more...

12 May 2026 (British Deaf Association)

The Jock Young Award celebrates exceptional young Deaf people across Scotland, recognising their achievements, talents, commitment, and positive impact within their communities.

Each year, BDA Scotland invites nominations for young Deaf people who deserve to have their achievements recognised. This could be through education, sport, personal development, promoting Scottish culture, being a role model to others, or showing outstanding personal skills.

We welcome nominations from anyone who knows a remarkable young Deaf person in Scotland. Whether they have overcome challenges, inspired others, achieved something special, or made a difference in their community, this award is an opportunity to celebrate their success.

Visit the BDA website for more information and to submit your nomination by 28 May 2026.

Read more...

11 May 2026 (Schools Week)

Ministers have been blasted for axing bursaries for overseas applicants hoping to become trainee physics and languages teachers without notice.

The mid-year change was quietly announced at 5pm on Thursday.

It means overseas students are no longer eligible for sizeable financial incentives to train to teach physics or languages.

The Department for Education said the decision to “pause” overseas eligibility was taken because recruitment has improved.

But experts warned this was “not a time for scaling back” approaches to improving teacher supply, and have criticised the DfE for rolling out the change without warning.

Bursaries and scholarships to train as a physics or languages teacher were expanded to international students in 2023, as recruitment lagged significantly below target.

Read more...

8 May 2026 (The Guardian)

In February 2022, while he was plugging away at rendering the US writer Dana Spiotta’s novel Wayward into French, the literary translator Yoann Gentric decided he needed a bit of light relief. He would test whether AI could put him out of work.

Gentric had been grappling with a short non-verbal sentence that described the book’s protagonist’s feelings upon opening a window: “Bright, sharp night air, bracing.” He put the prompt into DeepL, a neural-network-powered machine translation engine that regularly outperforms Google Translate in accuracy assessments.

The proposed translation was reassuring, with his job security in mind: L’air de la nuit, vif et vif, était vivifiant (The night air, lively and lively, was enlivening.) AI had translated the sentence’s meaning but was seemingly unaware that the repetitions rendered the line absurd. It was far inferior to his own translation that would be published in the book a year later: L’air pur et piquant de la nuit, vivifiant.

When Gentric repeated his experiment this spring, however, the outcome made him feel less at ease.

Read more...

7 May 2026 (Institut français)

In 2026, Institut français d’Écosse turns 80! To celebrate this special moment, we want to light up our building with your messages. We’re inviting all schools teaching French in Scotland to join the party.

How? Send us messages in French via the link below.

Selected messages will be featured in a unique video mapping display on the façade of our building in Edinburgh from 3-7 November 2026.

Want to see your French words in lights? Fill out the schools form here by 26 June. 

30 April 2026 (SCILT)

Come and see SCILT at this year’s Glasgow Science festival! The Sustainable Designs for Living and Learning research team (UofS/UofG/SCILT) will be at the Botanic Gardens on Saturday 13 June 'Sowing Seeds of Languages'.

We've a range of tabletop activities to try:

Braw beastie builders

Get hands on and messy creating your own fantastical creature using natural and recycled materials. We can’t wait to see what amazing creatures you imagine!

Journey of a bird

Go on a journey and gather languages with your own colourful and creative paper bird. On your travels, take photographs and tag us on Instagram @sdllmultilingualism_uofg #journeyofabird

Plant your ideas

Come and share your thoughts and ideas about Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share! (Permaculture ethics) What do these make you think of in your languages and culture? Plant your ideas and let them grow!

We will be there from 11am – 3pm. Just come along, no need to book. All activities are free of charge.

Full programme details can be found on the Science Festival website.

Read more...

23 April 2026 (Institut français)

Created by the Council of Europe, the European Day of Languages (EDL) has been celebrated every year on 26 September since 2001, in partnership with the European Commission.

The 2026 edition of the European Day of Languages in Scotland will be held at the Institut français d'Écosse in Edinburgh, with the following events taking place:

A professional conference (Tuesday, 22 September 2026 @5pm)

An update on the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC), a systematic review led by Education Scotland to evolve the national curriculum. More information and registration.

Event for pupils in S2 and S3 (Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September 2026)

Interactive Activities: Dynamic "language corners" featuring up to 8 different countries, including Czech, Italian, French, German, Irish, Polish, Romanian, and Spanish.

Contact for more information Charlotte HYVERNAUD education.ifecosse@institut-francais.org.uk 

The events take place at the Institut français d'Écosse, West Parliament Square, Edinburgh, EH1 1RN. Entrance on George IV Bridge.

21 April 2026 (The Stephen Spender Prize)

The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation that celebrates the creativity of young people across the UK and Ireland – and their teachers!

The Prize has categories for schools, teachers and individual young people, which welcome translations from all languages, as well as a special ‘Spotlight‘ strand that each year focuses on a different widely spoken language. Our Spotlight language for 2026 is Polish.

The Stephen Spender Prize 2026 will launch on 1 May but teachers can find out more and register now on the website.

The deadline for entries is 31 July 2026.

Read more...

26 March 2026 (GCHQ)

The GCHQ Virtual Language Outreach sessions are aimed at Year 8/9s (S2/S3).

In these one-hour long sessions your pupils will hear about the importance of languages, GCHQ and the work our Language Analysts do. After that they will do a scenario challenge in a language they are currently studying, so please ensure you choose the correct language on offer. We will end with a Q&A session.

Visit the website for available dates and to register.

Read more...

26 March 2026 (ALL)

Is one of your students the next Amélie? Or the future Pedro Almodóvar? If so, this competition is for them! We are looking for creative, independent groups of Year 8 and 9 (S2/S3) students to take part in the Association for Language Learning Short Foreign Film Competition. 

Please see the guidance here here for all of the details, the entry form and a powerpoint to launch it with your classes. It can be used however you see fit; for example as a Unit of work in itself or a fun, creative home learning activity to get their imaginations going!

They can be in ANY language which is a wonderful way to celebrate all of the languages we have in our classrooms though if it's in a language other than French, German or Spanish, it must be clearly subtitled.

You will find all of the details in the guidance and entry form here, including the deadline and the 'brief' for their films.

We can't wait to see what your students will create! Entries due by 3 June 2026.

5 February 2026 (Civil Service Languages Network)

British Council, GCHQ and the Civil Service Languages Network are working together to promote language learning among pupils in UK schools.

Your S2/S3 pupils, who will be choosing their N5s, and S4/S5 students, prior to choosing their Highers/AH, are invited to our open, online events – see dates below. There, they will hear from speakers with different roles across government who have used languages in their career, and how either studying a language in school, or speaking a heritage language, has enriched their life and career. Pupils will have the chance to ask the speakers questions (via their teacher) through a Q&A session.

You can see some example videos here:

Rosemary Pennells (British Embassy Tokyo) S2/S3

Nerys Jones (British Embassy Berlin) S4/S5 Government Languages Outreach talk

The online events are free of charge, and if you are unable to attend the events, there are recordings which you can use instead.

To express interest, and help us keep in touch, please complete the form

We look forward to welcoming your pupils to our events!

Spring term 2026:

S2/S3 - Tuesday 10 February, 09:15-10:15

Summer term 2026:

S2/S3 - Monday 29 June, 09:00-10:00

S4/S5 - Wednesday 1 July, 09:00-10:00

Future events are also planned for both age categories during the Autumn term and into 2027. These can also be seen/selected via the expression of interest form.

Read more...

15 January 2026 (SCILT)

SCILT’s 2025-26 menu of professional learning workshops is available to book throughout the year.

Free to book for groups of primary or secondary teachers working in local authority schools. Sessions are designed and facilitated by our friendly and experienced Professional Development Officers.  

Select a workshop from the menu below, or request a bespoke input tailored to your audience – the choice is yours. Choose your workshop theme(s), pick your dates and submit your workshop request. We’ll confirm arrangements with you promptly.  

These workshops offer a chance for groups of colleagues to dive into professional learning that explores engaging language pedagogies and examples of current practice.  

Requests from professional learning leads in schools, clusters, local authorities and SCIS welcomed all year round.

Primary 

• Developing a multilingual ethos in your primary school
• First steps in teaching primary languages
• Next steps in teaching primary languages
• Assessment as learning in primary languages
• Getting outdoors with primary languages

Secondary

• Teaching Sprints – Small change, big impact
• Developing a multilingual and multicultural ethos
• BYOW: Build Your Own Workshop!
• The Big Question

For workshop descriptors, and to book one or more session for the group of teachers that you support, find the link to the professional learning request form below.

Read more...

5 September 2025 (SCILT)

SCILT’s ECT Primary Languages Signpost Sessions are online, free of charge and open to newly or recently qualified primary teachers working in Scottish schools and to student primary teachers studying at Scottish universities.

Our Signpost Sessions are for you if are looking for:

• advice on how to support multilingual pupils and their families
• strategies for teaching additional languages
• the chance to network informally with others at a similar career stage from across the country

Each Signpost Session is themed, informal and will point you in the right direction for free resources, up-to-date guidance and practical teaching ideas. Sign up for as many sessions as you like:

• Wednesday 24 September, 16:00–17:00 - Developing a multilingual ethos in your primary class
• Wednesday 26 November, 16:00–16:45 - First steps in teaching primary languages
• Wednesday 28 January, 16:00 -16:45 - Digital tools for primary languages
• Wednesday 25 March, 16:00–16:45 - Getting outdoors with primary languages
• Wednesday 27 May, 16:00–16:45 - Next steps in teaching primary languages

Registration closes two days before each session, and the online link to join via MS Teams will be sent out one day in advance. These sessions will not be recorded.

Register via the link below. Please also find attached flyer which can be shared with colleagues. 

Read more...

15 August 2025 (SCILT)

SCILT’s 2025-26 menu of professional learning workshops for groups launches today!

Free to book for groups of primary or secondary teachers working in local authority schools. Sessions are designed and facilitated by our friendly and experienced Professional Development Officers.  

Select a workshop from the menu below, or request a bespoke input tailored to your audience – the choice is yours. Choose your workshop theme(s), pick your dates and submit your workshop request. We’ll confirm arrangements with you promptly.  

These workshops offer a chance for groups of colleagues to dive into professional learning that explores engaging language pedagogies and examples of current practice.  

Requests from professional learning leads in schools, clusters, local authorities and SCIS welcomed all year round…starting now! 

Primary 

• Developing a multilingual ethos in your primary school
• First steps in teaching primary languages
• Next steps in teaching primary languages
• Assessment as learning in primary languages
• Getting outdoors with primary languages

Secondary

• Teaching Sprints – Small change, big impact
• Developing a multilingual and multicultural ethos
• BYOW: Build Your Own Workshop!
• The Big Question

For workshop descriptors, and to book one or more session for the group of teachers that you support, find the link the professional learning request form below.

Read more...

25 March 2025 (Civil Service Languages Network)

British Council, GCHQ and the Civil Service Languages Network are working together to promote language learning among pupils in UK schools.

Your S2/S3 pupils, who will be choosing their National Qualifications, and S4/S5 pupils choosing their Highers, are invited to our open, online events – see dates below. There, they will hear from speakers with different roles across government who have used languages in their career, and how either studying a language in school, or speaking a heritage language, has enriched their life and career. Pupils will have the chance to ask the speakers questions (via their teacher) through a Q&A session.

You can see an example of a previous event here: Where will languages take me? | British Council.

The online events are free of charge, and I hope to make recordings available of some of the events. To express interest, and help us keep in touch, please complete the form.

We look forward to welcoming your pupils to our events!

Summer term 2025

S4/S5: Tue June 3rd 2025, 09:15-10:15

S2/S3: Wed June 11th 2025, 09:15-10:15

Autumn term 2025

S4/S5: Wed Oct 15th 2025 09:00-10:00

S4/S5: Tue Nov 11th 2025 09:15-10:15

S2/S3: Thur Nov 20th 2025 09:00-10:00

Spring term 2026

S2/S3: Wed Jan 14th 2026 09:00-10:00

S4/S5: Tue Jan 20th 2026 09:00-10:00

S2/S3: Tue Feb 10th 2026 09:15-10:15