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10 ways to celebrate

In a primary school

Since 2001 and the European Year of Languages, schools across the UK have been organising events to join in the celebrations on 26 September. Here are some ideas for activities in the classroom or in assembly:

 

In a secondary school

Some successful activities in schools have included fashion shows, competitions and singing contests. Here are some more ideas:

  • Hold an international food market
  • Offer language taster sessions at lunchtime EDL character - model
  • Invite local speakers to share positive stories about languages
  • Hold a fashion show with Spanish commentary
  • Organise an international sports day for the whole school
  • Perform a play in French
  • Host a multilingual student karaoke
  • Display EDL materials in foyers, common rooms and corridors
  • Create a student newspaper with articles in foreign languages
  • Invite students and staff to a multilingual conference

We've also a huge range of activities and resources for you to use on our Languages Work website, designed to show young people the advantage language skills can bring later in life.

 

At college or university

College and university students, full-time or part-time, specialist or non-specialists, can all show off their language skills on 26 September. Involve other departments and subjects to get as many students as possible doing something on the day. Here are some suggestions to start you off, but be as creative as you like!

  • Organise a poetry reading in Italian 
  • Offer language taster sessions
  • Invite ex-students to share positive stories about languages EDL character - taking part in a quiz
  • Hold an exhibition with Chinese commentary
  • Organise an international sports tournament
  • Promote work and study placements in foreign countries
  • Welcome international students and find them a local 'buddy'
  • Invite students and staff to a language and culture quiz night
  • Enjoy a multilingual pub crawl
  • Display EDL materials in foyers, common rooms and corridors

 

At work

Whatever your job, why not organise something to get tongues wagging at work? 75% of adults in the UK think it's good to speak another language;many of your colleagues/staff want to learn another language but have never got round to it. The European Day of Languages is a great time for setting language goals. These are some ideas of how to celebrate on the day:

  • Plan an Italian coffee morning or German breakfast
  • Enjoy lunchtime salsa in Spanish EDL character - answering the telephone
  • Invite an expert to run a language and culture workshop
  • Organise a European quiz with tapas
  • Answer the phone in different languages
  • Have a staff meal in Greek
  • Investigate opportunities for international work placements
  • Organise an away day focusing on multicultural issues
  • Send an e-mail greeting to your customers in their own language
  • Learn key words and phrases in British Sign Language

 

At home or in the community

Whether it's parents learning alongside their children, couples or flatmates signing up for classes together, internationally themed parties or coffee mornings there are many ways to make EDL special in your home and community. Ideas include:

  • Making your shopping list in Russian
  • Inviting friends round for a Bollywood night EDL character - listening to iPod
  • Playing scrabble in German  
  • Listening to a foreign-language radio programme
  • Organising an international film night
  • Reading a book or magazine in another language
  • Teaching a friend a language
  • Learning to say hello to your neighbour in their language
  • Learning some fun holiday phrases
  • Sign up to a local language course

 

Don’t forget to email us if you come up with something new, so that we can publicise it on this website. And remember to register your event on the events calendar, where you'll find a whole range of ideas from which to draw inspiration.

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  • Languages Work
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