North East Festival of Languages

2026 Festival Highlights for North East Schools include: 

• The opportunity to explore languages such as sports with Futbol Lingo, a mini-Olympics with Newcastle University Sport and music in a live concert with Munich Supercrew. 
• Creative multilingual projects which enable children and young people across the region to express themselves through music, art, writing and world recipes 
• Competitions in French (Crêpe design), Spanish (Spanish Omelette design) and German (Karneval Masks) 
• Classroom activities for children aged from 3 - 18 years with teaching resources relating to different languages and countries – with films, quizzes, games, storytelling and more  
• Languages and Careers webinars, events, and resources to inspire young people to progress with languages 
• World languages and cultures - activities, events and resources exploring the Arab World, Japan, China, South Asia, Africa, and South America 
• Live lessons with Durham, Newcastle and Northumbria universities exploring different languages and cultures 

Supported by our North East Mayor

Now entering its sixth year, the Festival is bigger than ever after new funding from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness enabled it to expand to reach even more schools, community schools and groups across the North East. The part-funding by the North East Combined Authority via a grant to Newcastle City Council and Festival co-ordination by International Newcastle embodies the North East’s commitment to diversity, opportunity, and education.  

Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor said:

“I’m proud that we are supporting Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages 2026 and the opportunities it brings for our young people. Across the villages and towns of the North East, our schools are full of potential - bright, curious minds ready to explore the world. This programme will help raise aspirations, nurture talent, and prepare the next generation - from our smallest village schools to our largest city academies - for a diverse, global society.  

“By inspiring a love of languages and learning, we’re breaking down barriers, opening our kids’ eyes to the whole world from an early age, and ensuring that every child can take their place on the global stage with pride and ambition.” 

Contribute to School of Sanctuary work

Our creative multilingual projects help embrace the languages, cultures and traditions of all pupils and the school community, and can be beneficial for Schools of Sanctuary work, and the British Council International School Award. There are 15 separate classroom activities with teaching packs available covering Modern Foreign Languages (EYFS to Secondary), world languages and cultures and careers available up to the end of March.