Latest News

26 February 2026 (University of Edinburgh)

This is the final call for registration for Block 3 of the free online Japanese language courses for secondary schools in Scotland.

Block 3 courses commence 4 March and are delivered on eSgoil in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and Japan Foundation.

Visit the eSgoil website to register.

Read more...

26 February 2026 (SCILT)

Following the success of artworks created by pupils from the project’s partner primary schools, the exhibition showcasing the SDLL logo competition has been extended and will now take place at Glasgow City Chambers.

This is fantastic news for pupils of all ages from Cradlehall, Thornwood and West Primary Schools, who created over 100 designs full of colour, creativity and inspiration. Each entry beautifully captured the spirit and values of the SDLL project.

The exhibition not only celebrates the SDLL’s values but also highlights the incredible artistic talent and imagination of young people. From bold, vibrant compositions to thoughtful and symbolic designs, the pupils demonstrated impressive creativity and skills.

The artworks, which were first showcased at the University of Strathclyde and are currently on display at the University of Glasgow, will move to Glasgow City Chambers on 9 March. The exhibition will feature all 100 artworks and will run until 7 April.

Join us to admire the creativity and artistry on display!

For regular updates about the project, please visit the SDLL blog.

Read more...

24 February 2026 (Light Bulb Languages)

Write Away! is a magazine celebrating the writing that primary children do in their language lessons.

Submissions are now invited for Issue 25.

Visit the Light Bulb Languages website for guidance on submitting pupils' work by 19 March.

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24 February 2026 (Consejería de Educación)

Spring term webinars/online seminars for teachers of Spanish offered by Edinumen and MINELE:

• Edinumen webinars - free to attend, focusing on current topics and encouraging active teacher participation
• MINELE - online seminars which explore cross-cutting themes in language education (free for ELEUK members, €5 for non-members)

Visit the Edinumen website for more information and to register.

Read more...

24 February 2026 (UK-German Connection)

The German Pupil Courses (“Deutschland Plus”) are open to Year 10 and Year 12 pupils (and equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) and offer the opportunity to spend two immersive weeks in Germany.

Applications for the German Pupil Courses 2026 are open until 23:59 on Wednesday, 4 March.

Visit the UK-German Connection website for more information.

Read more...

24 February 2026 (NE Festival of Languages)

It's National Careers Week from 2-7 March and as part of the NE Festival of Languages there are several online events taking place highlighting careers with languages, aimed at different age groups and open to all UK schools.

Visit the Festival website and check the listings under 'Languages and Careers Events and Resources'.

You'll see there are lots of other online languages and cultures events open to UK schools up until the end of March too!

Read more...

23 February 2026 (The Herald)

The biggest-ever edition of Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) kicks off today (Monday), heralding the start of seven days of celebrations for one of Scotland’s official languages.

More than 200 events are set to be staged by Gaelic speakers, learners and supporters across Scotland and around the world for the 2026 edition – up 15% on last year.

The record-breaking fifth edition of the annual language initiative aims to promote the theme, Use it or Lose it(Cleachd i no Caill i), championing the vitality of Gaelic as a living language.

From bagpiping, folk music and singing sessions, talks and language tasters, to step dance, Highland dance, film festivals, nature walks and storytelling, the diverse programme of events taking place across 24 local authority areas are expected to attract more than 40,000 attendees across the week.

The popular Say a Gaelic Phrase Day will also take place this Thursday, where thousands of people share or try a favourite Gaelic word or phrase and highlight their love of the language on social media.

Related articles:

Song portal launch marks start of World Gaelic Week (BBC, 23 February 2026)

Read more...

19 February 2026 (BBC)

Special nurseries are helping the Sámi people in Finland to bring their almost-lost language back from the brink of extinction.

It's -8C (17.6 F) and snowing heavily, but in Inari, a village in Lapland, 350km (220 miles) above the Arctic Circle, that doesn't stop nursery children from going outside to play. Bundled up in colourful warm clothes, they're busy building snow forts and tunnels, as their excited chatter resonates through the cold air.

The words thrown around are in Inari Sámi: an indigenous language that's only spoken in the area of Lake Inari in Finland, and one that was on the brink of extinction just a few decades ago.

In 1995, only two families spoke Inari Sámi to their children, and just four speakers were under the age of 20.

"At that point, it was quite a typical opinion that the Inari Sámi language was going to die out," says Annika Pasanen, professor of sociolinguistics at the Sámi University of Applied Sciences in Kautokeino, Norway. "Most speakers were elderly and they didn't have many opportunities to use Inari Sámi, so it was spoken very little."

Everything changed, Pasanen says, when local children began taking part in a novel, immersive language experiment.

Read more...

19 February 2026 (BBC)

A contestant on the UK's first British Sign Language (BSL) dating show says he hopes it teaches people about the deaf community - and shows they can "have banter" too.

Oliver Scott is among the first to take part in the new series, Hold My Hand, which follows deaf or children of deaf adult (CODA) contestants as they navigate dating through BSL.

Read more...

19 February 2026 (BBC Sounds)

Hear Michael Rosen talking to Sophia Smith Galer about the languages we're losing.

She's found that by the end of this century half of the world’s 7000 languages will be gone, and she's travelled across the world to meet both the people who are experiencing this and those who are fighting to keep the words and the knowledge they hold alive.

Read more...

19 February 2026 (British Council)

Come together with teachers and pupils in Ukraine to share the joy of reading and build an understanding of the stories we tell in our different cultures.

This unique programme supports UK schools to build lasting international partnerships with schools in Ukraine, and explore reading as a tool to expand horizons, build confidence and boost mental wellbeing. Schools work together on activities to encourage reading for pleasure, building an understanding of each other’s cultures through a common love for reading. We offer full support and resources, including a fully-funded partnership workshop in Poland, where partner teachers meet in person to create a strong foundation for the partnership.

The UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme is funded by the UK Government, in support of the 100-Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine. The 100-Year Partnership is an ambitious, long-term commitment to broaden and deepen the bilateral relationship across defence, trade and other areas and enable closer community links between both countries. The UK-Ukraine School Partnerships Programme is the flagship education offer for the 100-Year Partnership, signalling the UK’s support for fostering cross-cultural understanding among pupils, teachers and wider school communities and to help bring international awareness into classrooms.

Visit the British Council website for more information about the UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme. Applications close on 2 March.

Read more...

19 February 2026 (TES)

The most recent St Andrew’s Day marked a very important day for Scots and Gaelic - it was when the Scottish Languages Act came into force, which recognises both of these as official languages of Scotland.

The act aims to promote and support Scotland’s national languages more consistently across public life, with a special emphasis on education. These provisions are perhaps most significant for Gaelic, making it easier for parents to request Gaelic-medium education (GME) for their children, but also with an expectation that education authorities promote the teaching and learning of Gaelic, including Gaelic-learner education.

(Note - subscription required to access full article).

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19 February 2026 (Open University)

The Open University and Education Scotland are delighted to offer Masters-level CPD to any teacher in Scotland on embedding Scots language as part of language and literacy in education.

This is an important time in both Scottish society and Scottish education for CPD such as this, particularly in light of the Scottish Languages Bill that was passed by the Scottish Government on 17 June 2025, giving the Scots language legal recognition for the first time in Scotland’s history.

Now in its third year, this award-winning course gives teachers the opportunity to study virtually, share reflective work on their own classroom practice with peers, and attend tutorials online alongside fellow professionals from schools across Scotland, with each teacher focussing on the language and literature of their particular part of the country. The course has been designed to suit any learning environment, and is suitable for teachers in Primary, Secondary, Early Years, FE and ASN. Delivered entirely online, the course shares examples of best practice on using the Scots language in education, with the opportunity built-in for teachers to specifically explore the language and literature most appropriate for their learners wherever they are in Scotland.

It is free to sign up, and all places have been funded by the Scottish Government.

Visit the OU website for more information and to fill in an online form by 26 February to register for a place on the course.

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19 February 2026 (University of Oxford)

The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages at the University of Oxford runs an annual Flash Fiction competition inviting secondary school pupils to submit a complete story of no more than 100 words, in French, Spanish, or German, for the chance to win up to £100.

The judges are primarily looking for creativity, imagination and narrative flair, as well as linguistic accuracy.

Pupils’ language skills will be considered in the context of their age and year group: in other words, we will not expect younger pupils to compete against older pupils linguistically. Each language competition is divided into three age categories:

• Years 7-9 (ages 11-14)
• Years 10-11 (ages 14-16)
• Years 12-13 (ages 16-18)

Visit the Flash Fiction competition website for more information and to submit entries by 12 noon on 31 March 2026.

Read more...

19 February 2026 (British Council)

Modern Language Assistants are speakers of French, German, Irish, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Hiring a language assistant helps your students develop their language skills and understand other cultures. So bring languages to life in your classroom and apply to host a language assistant in 2026-27!

Applications open 25 February and close 30 April (for Chinese Language Assistants the closing date is 1 April 2026).

Visit the British Council website for more information.

Read more...

17 February 2026 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut offers a range of opportunities and materials to support the teaching of German language and culture. Follow the appropriate link below to find out more about upcoming initiatives:

• Wuschel - an immersive exhibition for primary schools exploring the creative world of Axel Scheffler. Along the way, pupils will pick up German words, though no prior knowledge of German is required, making the exhibition suitable for all primary schools. The exhibition can be experienced either on-site as a German Day at the Goethe-Institut London or as an exhibition kit directly at your school.
  
• German Days at the Goethe-Institut Glasgow - groups of school pupils can experience a taster day, a workshop on culture and society or a careers event (note a small charge per pupil applies)
• Gimagine Award - offers an introduction to the German language while at the same time promoting global awareness and intercultural skills and can be used as option for fulfilling the Skills Section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (“DofE”)
• Accompanying teacher for the International German Olympiad 2026 - German teachers from UK state schools can apply to chaperone the two finalists for the IDO taking place in Mannheim this July
• German Clubs - discover club materials and support to help you start a German club.

17 February 2026 (BBC)

The BBC's most expensive Gaelic TV drama is to return for a second series, it has been confirmed.

An t-Eilean (The Island), which cost more than £1m per episode to make, was a four-part thriller from BBC Alba centred around a murder investigation.

The show was the BBC's first Gaelic language crime drama and starred Sorcha Groundsell - who grew up in Lewis and Glasgow - and Harrow-born Sagar Radia.

Scenes were filmed in Lewis, Harris and Glasgow and the first series was aired early last year.

Related articles:

Scotland's first big-budget Gaelic drama greenlit for return (The Herald, 17 February 2026) - Note, subscription required to access full article.

Read more...

17 February 2026 (Institut français)

The Institut français d’Ecosse receives numerous requests from French junior and high schools asking to put them in touch with Scottish schools that might be interested in exchanges whether physical or virtual.

As you know, exchanges give concrete meaning to foreign language learning, as learners communicate with their peers, which boosts motivation. In addition, regular interactions (virtual or physical) improve fluency and confidence in speaking. Finally, as part of the Curriculum for Excellence, which aims to develop responsible citizens and confident individuals, school partnerships promote student autonomy, empathy and collaboration, and are a wonderful opportunity for cultural enrichment.

Do you teach French? Do you want to give opportunities to your learners to encourage them with their learning of the language and culture? Why not envisage a partnership with a French school?

For further information, please contact Charlotte HYVERNAUD, Education Attaché at the Institut français d’Ecosse : charlotte.hyvernaud@institu-francais.org.uk

17 February 2026 (DfE)

The DfE has released a recording of a live Q&A webinar on YouTube for any schools considering applying for funding from the Turing Scheme for potential international visits.

• Schools Q&A webinar

The application window portal and supporting guidance is available on the Turing Scheme website. The deadline for all applications is 16:00 on Monday 16 March 2026.

Read more...

17 February 2026 (CISS)

A huge thank you and well done to everyone who submitted a poster! We loved seeing everyone’s brilliant designs, and we received so many fantastic entries that the judges had a hard time picking just a few in each age category! We’ve therefore also selected some highly commended entries to recognise the talent and creativity we saw.

View the winning entries on the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools (CISS) website.

Read more...

17 February 2026 (SCILT)

Virtual Exchange Teachers is an award-winning innovative and international partnership project linking Scottish pupils with postgraduate student teachers from partner universities in China. Scottish schools can now register interest in the next block of the Mandarin Virtual Exchange Teacher programme, beginning w/c Monday 27 April until w/c Monday 15 June. Over eight weeks, classes will be allocated a pair of student teachers who will work with their class to delivery weekly live streamed Mandarin lessons. The project provides classes for beginner level 1, 2, & 3. The courses are suitable as L3 provision for BGE pupils in P5-7, as well as being suitable for Secondary BGE learners.

There will be an online information meeting (with a choice of two dates in February/March), to give an overview of the course and what is required of Scottish class teachers. Attendance at an information meeting is a requirement to participate in the programme, with the exception of teachers who have previously attended an information session and/or taken part in the VET programme within the last year. Teachers who are new to the programme are required to attend the meeting, even if the school has taken part previously.

Interested teachers should fill out the registration form. More information about the programme can be found on the SCILT website, and any questions can be directed to scilt-chinese@strath.ac.uk

Read more...

12 February 2026 (The Tab)

Another language has disappeared from a UK university timetable. This time it was beginner’s Czech at Bristol, cut due to “low uptake”. But this isn’t just about one module, it’s about the steady decline of modern languages nationwide, and what that means for the future of a supposedly “global” Britain.

Last summer, first year Russian students at the University of Bristol who had chosen to study beginner’s Czech as an optional unit received an email announcing the discontinuation of the module. The email referred to a “lack of student interest” as the motive behind this decision (the modern languages faculty requires that optional language units must receive a minimum cohort of 15 students in order for them to run), a seemingly permanent cut to the Slavonic studies programme.

Read more...

12 February 2026 (Qualifications Scotland)

Recruitment for the 2026 National Qualification exams is underway, with opportunities available across all subjects and levels including modern languages.

Approximately 11,000 markers are required. Markers play a key role in supporting the exam diet, ensuring the consistent application of national standards. Marking also provides the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge and gather evidence for continuing professional development. Full training and support is provided.

To find out more about the marker role or to apply, please visit the Qualifications Scotland website.

Read more...

12 February 2026 (SCILT)

Sustainable Designs for Living and Learning (SDLL) is an interdisciplinary research project led by the University of Glasgow and SCILT at the University of Strathclyde. The project promotes creative and multilingual approaches to Learning for Sustainability, underpinned by ethics of Permaculture: Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share.

We are now moving into Year 2 and are looking for a diverse range of 10 primary schools to work with us. Participating schools will:

• take part in professional learning for teachers
• trial arts-based activities with learners to support languages taught and represented in their classrooms
• collaborate to co-create learning framework
• support learners in developing their language skills and global citizenship

Each school involved will receive £5,000 to support their participation in the project. You can follow SDLL’s progress on our blog and website.

To register your interest, please complete this short form by close of business Friday 27 March 2026.

12 February 2026 (University of Edinburgh)

During February/March the following events relating to Japan are taking place in Edinburgh. Follow the appropriate link for more details/registration:

• Remembered: Hiroshima and Nagasaki Exhibition (16 February - 31 March) - as part of the exhibition there is an Opening Talk and Origami Workshop on 16 February, 4-6pm. Free but registration is required.
• "The Great Wave" Spin Off: The Profound Sound of the Shakuhachi (20 February, 5.30-6.30pm) - this special musical event, a spin-off from the new opera "The Great Wave", will feature a shakuhachi lecture and performance by shakuhachi player Shozan Hasegawa. The lecture will be mainly presented in Japanese with English translations.
  

12 February 2026 (SCILT)

Do you have a story to share with the languages community?

We are currently taking submissions for our spring 2026 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 have taken place since our last submission date in October. We would love to hear from, or your pupils!

We are looking for articles of a maximum of 300 words, with a couple of colourful photos. The deadline for contributions is Friday 13 March 2026.

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 2026 (The Guardian)

Now, Gary, repeat after me: Quiero una margarita, por favor,” my Spanish tutor instructs. I cringe at the butchered Spanglish my estuary accent produces. Like Del Boy Trotter ordering a cocktail: “Key – yeah – row oon margari’a, pour far four.”

It’s 2023, I’m 41, living in Argentina and battling the frustration and disempowerment of learning a new language at this age, longing for my elastic 11-year-old brain over this husked-out mush. I’m also wishing, for the umpteenth time, that I was taught Spanish instead of French at school.

Not to throw shade on French: it’s a beautiful language, and I studied it until my first year at university. I even worked in Nice for three summers. But Spanish would have really set me up for life – and that is even more true for today’s students.

Related articles:

Español o français? Learn a language because you love it, not because it’s useful (The Guardian, 16 February 2026) - response from readers

Read more...

6 February 2026 (The Herald)

Researchers at a Scottish university are to lead a new, multi-million pound research project into language learning in schools, The Herald can exclusively reveal.

The ground-breaking study from the University of Stirling will examine the educational, economic, social and cultural factors that impact on language learning, analysing the different approaches and outcomes in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

(Note - registration required to access full article)

Read more...

10 February 2026 (University of Edinburgh)

Babble, the University of Edinburgh language student magazine, will be delighted to showcase collective essays written by S6 learners from any Scottish schools in its annual supplement from this year onward.

This year's themes will be "friendship" and "nature", so any essays written in Chinese, German, French, Italian or Spanish and related to these are welcomed.

If you want to see what it looks like, take a look at the last Babble supplement.

Deadline: 28 February 2026.

If want to submit an article, please contact Sylvain Blanche at sblanche@ed.ac.uk

10 February 2026 (The Conversation)

If you’re bilingual, moral choices can often feel more urgent and emotionally charged in one language yet distant and rational in another. This raises an intriguing question: does language merely shape how we express our thoughts, or can it also influence what we judge to be right or wrong?

Our research team has explored this question, looking not just at how moral decision-making is influenced by the language a person uses, but also by their underlying cognitive and emotional abilities.

By examining factors such as working memory and emotional intelligence along with language background, our research moves beyond the idea of a simplistic “foreign language effect” and offers a more nuanced picture of how bilingual minds navigate the balance between emotion and cognition when facing moral dilemmas.

Read more...

9 February 2026 (The Herald)

Dynamic Earth is taking a bold step towards inclusion.

From March 1, 2026, the Edinburgh science centre will offer daily British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted shows in its planetarium, becoming one of the first in the UK to do so.

The BSL-interpreted experiences will include live astronomy shows developed by Dynamic Earth’s in-house team.

The initiative is supported by the Birkdale Trust and aims to make science accessible to more people.

Read more...

8 February 2026 (The Herald)

Academics and business leaders have called for an “urgent review of languages provision” in an effort to protect its “sustainability” in schools, The Herald can exclusively reveal.

In an open letter to Scotland’s political parties, the group argues that Scotland “leads the way in the UK” in terms of its “vision and ambition” for language learning, but warns that outcomes have not always matched the rhetoric.

Related articles:

In depth: language learning in Scotland's schools (The Herald, 8 February 2026)

(Note - Registration required to access full articles).

Read more...

6 February 2026 (Ayr Advertiser / Glasgow Times)

Discover how some primary learners in Scotland celebrated LWS:

• St Patrick's Primary celebrates diversity and language (Ayr Advertiser, 6 February)
• Children in Hamilton take part in French postcard contest (Glasgow Times, 5 Feb)

6 February 2026 (SCILT)

With Languages Week Scotland 2026 championing diverse voices, common ground, the SCILT/Education Scotland team that brings you Scotland’s Languages Leadership Programme (SLLP) is excited to announce that the very first SLLP Reunion Year will run in academic session 2026-27.

We are keen to support ongoing leadership development with language champions who have been through any iteration of the programme since 2014, whether in person or online, with or without GTCS Professional Recognition. All alums welcome.

From summer 2026 onwards, plans we currently have in the pipeline include:

• Connect and reconnect with the ever-expanding SLLP family
• Continue occasional online twilights in conversation with inspiring speakers
• Publish monthly newsletters, disseminate information and opportunities
• Host in person SLLP Alum get-togethers around the country
• Explore our own language leadership stories through a collaborative enquiry

If you took part in the SLLP (aka 1+2 LLP or TTT) at any time between 2014 and 2024/25 and you wish to join or rejoin the SLLP Alums Network, please email your Glow address to scilt@strath.ac.uk and we will join you to the network’s Team.

Any suggestions you have for other activities, big or small, that you would like to see feature in SLLP Reunion Year 2026-27, please get in touch with the SCILT inbox at the above email.

6 February 2026 (SCILT)

SCILT would love to hear from schools and other organisations about how they celebrated Languages Week Scotland!

Please complete this form with details of your activities, or you can email SCILT (scilt@strath.ac.uk). We will feature all submissions on the Languages Week Scotland website and selected articles in the next SCILT newsletter. It’s a great opportunity to promote the great work you are doing to promote languages!

Visit the Languages Week Scotland website and discover how the Week was celebrated across the country!

6 February 2026 (SCILT)

SCILT is delighted to offer all primary and secondary state schools the opportunity to have a Chinese language assistant teacher in their school/cluster free of charge in 2026-27!

Your teacher could help deliver L3 Mandarin to primary and secondary BGE classes, lead IDL projects such as Eco Learning Partners (ELP) organise live-link ups with Chinese schools, team teach with Virtual Exchange Teachers (VETs), team teach with your own staff, work with small groups for speaking activities, support senior phase learners with preparation for NQs alongside the Discovering China programme. This exciting opportunity could complement or supplement any existing Mandarin provision you have. Having a Mandarin language assistant teacher could revolutionise your L3 provision next year.

For more information contact scilt-chinese@strath.ac.uk for more details.

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...

5 February 2026 (Alliance Française)

The Alliance Française in Glasgow offers a wide range of French courses for adults, children and teens. Registration is now open for courses taking place February-March. Follow the appropriate ink to find out more and to sign up:

• Adult conversation and revision courses
• Exam preparation courses (for National 5 and Higher students of French)
• DELF/DALF exams and preparation courses

Visit the Alliance Française Glasgow website for more information about all the activities they provide.

Read more...

5 February 2026 (Consejería de Educación)

The Spanish Education Office reminds teachers of its wide range of resources and opportunities for teachers and learners of Spanish, available during Languages Week and throughout the year.

You can find out more in the attached documents.

5 January 2026 (SCILT)

TOIIS is a professional network for teachers of Italian working in schools across Scotland. Join to receive updates on online network meetings, our first in-person event in February, and other opportunities, resources and news to support Italian teaching.

3 February 2026 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a range of activities and funding to support partnerships between schools in the UK and Germany. Follow the appropriate link below to find out more about their current initiatives:

• School partnerships bursaries - UK schools and colleges can apply for up to £1000 in funding to support direct contact and collaborative engagement between the young people from both countries. Apply by 16 February 2026.
• Funding - Grants are available on a rolling deadline for schools and youth groups with a partner in Germany for planning visits and joint thematic projects.
• German Pupil Courses 2026 - Year 10 and Year 12 pupils (and equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) can spend two immersive weeks experiencing life in Germany whilst enhancing their cultural knowledge and language skills. Apply by 4 March 2026.
• German Pupil Course Group Leaders - Secondary teachers of German can also experience the immersion and excitement by acting as Group Leader. This paid role involves accompanying a group of motivated young people to Germany whilst engaging in international professional development and enhancing your leadership skills.

Visit the UK-German Connection website to find out about all the activities they provide.

Read more...

3 February 2026 (Japan Foundation)

The latest JFF Theater line-up is here. Watch a fantastic new selection of Japanese films online for free!

Visit the JFF Theater website for full details.

Knowing me, Knowing you, the Japan Foundation's Touring Film Programme 2026 is also kicking off this week. Running from 6 February to 31 March visit the Touring Film Programme website for details of what's screening near you!

3 February 2026 (Japan Foundation)

Applications for JaLaChamp 2026 are still open! JaLaChamp, or Japanese Language Championship for Young Learners UK, is a contest for primary and secondary school students studying Japanese.

There are two categories with two different application deadlines:

• The Speech Category for secondary school students studying Japanese: Deadline: Tuesday 3 March, 3pm
• The Video Category for primary and secondary school students, including those studying Japanese at all levels and heritage language speakers: Deadline: Tuesday 10 March, 3pm

Visit the Japan Foundation website to find out more about this year's contest and to apply.

Read more...

30 January 2026 (SCILT)

Discover the World of Arabic with your P5-P7 class!

Imagine your pupils confidently greeting each other in Arabic, exploring ancient souks through virtual tours, or discovering the fascinating science and stories of the Arab world. This immersive experience is within easy reach for your classroom.

SCILT, in partnership with QFI, have now opened registrations to local authority primary schools for our Discovering the World of Arabic programme in 2026-27. Designed specifically for P5-P7 learners in Scotland, this programme makes introducing a critical world language engaging, effective, and simple for teachers.

Why Choose This Programme for Your Class?

• Engage with a Global Language: Give your learners a solid foundation in the world’s 5th most spoken language, opening doors to future opportunities.
• Truly Interdisciplinary Learning: Our 10-week blocks are more than vocabulary. Pupils explore Arab cultures, geography, history, and arts, enriching your classroom’s global perspective.
• Built for Teachers, by Teachers: All courses are developed and delivered by experienced, fluent Arabic-speaking teachers. We provide the expertise so you can enjoy the learning journey alongside your class.
• Flexible & Supported: Choose a beginner or post-beginner course, and select a term that suits you (Term 1: Sep-Dec or Term 2: Jan-Mar). Live lessons are scheduled on Thursdays or Fridays.

Participating primary schools will receive:

• Weekly live, interactive online lessons via Glow Teams.
• A loan box of authentic artefacts to bring culture to life in your classroom.
• Asynchronous materials on Glow Teams for consolidation and flexibility.
• Dedicated funding: New schools receive a start-up grant of £1000, and returning schools get continuation funding of £500. Schools can bid for further funding to provide resources and experiences that enhance the language learning and promote a positive experience of Arab cultures.
• Ongoing support from the SCILT Arabic team.

Don’t just take our word for it:

“The materials... were great, the workbooks were very useful. The mix of live and recorded sessions was a good idea.” – Participating Teacher

“We really like the box of resources. We liked learning about the different colours and clothes!” – Pupil Feedback

To secure this unique opportunity for your pupils, please complete our short Registration of Interest Form by Friday, 24 April 2026. Please email us at SCILT-Arabic@strath.ac.uk  if you have any questions. 

Open the door to curiosity, connection, and global skills for your class. We can’t wait to learn with you!

Read more...

30 January 2026 (SCILT)

For Secondary Schools: Discover the World of Arabic in 2026/27!

SCILT, in partnership with QFI, has now opened registrations to local authority secondary schools for our Discovering the World of Arabic programme 2026-27. With courses designed specifically for BGE and Senior Phase learners, this programme offers a chance to engage in a truly unique and valuable L3 experience.

Why Arabic? Why Now?

Arabic is the world’s fifth most spoken language, a key to a region of immense cultural, economic, and geopolitical significance. Our programme moves beyond textbooks to develop practical, conversational skills that enhance global awareness and, for Senior Phase learners, boost employability and university portfolios.

Choose what best fits your timetable:

• BGE or Senior Phase Course (Sept-Mar): A deeper, skill-building journey co-created with language specialists.
• Shorter Introductory Course (8 weeks, by arrangement): A perfect taster to ignite interest in Arabic language and cultures.

Participating schools will receive:

• Live Lessons: A dedicated, weekly online lesson with highly experienced and qualified Arabic teachers via Glow Teams, scheduled at a mutually agreed time.
• Engaging Asynchronous Materials: Flexible resources to consolidate learning and encourage independent exploration.
• Dedicated funding: New schools receive a start-up grant of £1000, and returning schools get continuation funding of £500. Schools can bid for further funding to provide resources and experiences that enhance the language learning and promote a positive experience of Arab cultures.
• Future-Ready Skills: Focus on conversational ability and cultural insight, preparing learners for a globalised world.

Our courses are designed for non-heritage, beginner learners seeking to stand out. Whether starting with our Beginner course or advancing with the Post-Beginner level, learners build a solid linguistic foundation while exploring the vibrant diversity of Arab cultures.

To apply, please complete our Registration of Interest Form by Friday, 24 April 2026. Please email us at SCILT-Arabic@strath.ac.uk  if you have any questions. 

Expand your learners’ language skills and build their intercultural competence. Start their Arabic journey with us!

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29 January 2026 (British Council)

This unique programme from the British Council supports UK schools to build lasting international partnerships with schools in Ukraine, and explore reading as a tool to expand horizons, build confidence and boost mental wellbeing.

Schools work together on activities to encourage reading for pleasure, building an understanding of each other’s cultures through a common love for reading.

The programme offers full support and resources, including specialist resources on the theme of reading for pleasure and Ukrainian language and culture, created by the British Council and the National Literacy Trust.  

Visit the British Council website for more information and to apply by 2 March 2026.

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29 January 2026 (British Council)

Each February, as part of British Council's Festival of Languages, we invite pupils to Celebrate Speaking.

Encourage your pupils to showcase their language skills by posting a short video of them singing, talking or reciting in a language they are learning at school or one they speak in their community on social media.

Remember to use #CelebrateSpeaking so we can see your contribution!

Find out more on the British Council website.

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29 January 2026 (SCILT)

Scottish schools can now register interest in the next block of the Mandarin Virtual Exchange Teacher programme, beginning w/c Monday 27 April until w/c Monday 15 June. Over eight weeks, classes will be allocated a pair of student teachers who will work with their class to delivery weekly live streamed Mandarin lessons. The project provides classes for beginner level 1, 2, & 3. The courses are suitable as L3 provision for BGE pupils in P5-7, as well as being suitable for Secondary BGE learners.

There will be an online information meeting (with a choice of two dates in February/March), to give an overview of the course and what is required of Scottish class teachers. Attendance at an information meeting is a requirement to participate in the programme, with the exception of teachers who have previously attended an information session and/or taken part in the VET programme within the last year. Teachers who are new to the programme are required to attend the meeting, even if the school has taken part previously.

Interested teachers should fill out the registration form. More information about the programme can be found on the SCILT website, or via the attached flyer, and any questions can be directed to scilt-chinese@strath.ac.uk.

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29 January 2026 (ISPS)

International School Partnerships Scotland (ISPS) are delighted to be working with Challenges Abroad to introduce exciting overseas opportunities for senior phase learners across Scotland. Programmes with Challenges Abroad cover a range of skills development in line with national SDE, Global Citizenship and Language Learning priorities. Placements can include studying with partner schools, working on community action projects, sustainability challenges, teaching and more.

Challenges Abroad offer full support to schools who want to apply for UK Government funding to enable learners with fewer opportunities to benefit from these life changing international experiences. There’s a helpful guide to Turing Scheme funding for 2026/27, covering everything from eligibility to full project management support. Get in touch to discuss how Challenges Abroad can help get your bid in shape before the March deadline! See the Challenges Abroad Turing Scheme website for details.

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29 January 2026 (SCILT)

We have not one but two exciting events coming up for you!

1. Monday 23 February @ 4.15 – 5.15: Join us for the online launch of our new French teachers' association for primary, secondary and tertiary education in Scotland! Come along to meet one another and discuss plans for the Teachers of French in Scotland association, otherwise known as TOFIS! Sign up on Eventbrite.

2. Monday 22 June @ University of Aberdeen: save the date and venue for the third edition of The Future of French en Écosse forum! More information and registration link to follow soon.