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International Mother Language Day 2026
International Mother Language Day 2026
The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and has been observed throughout the world since 2000.
Find out more about the origins of the day here.
At the Swanswell Network, we will be celebrating IMLD2026 in the week before half term. Below you will find activities to use in the primary and secondary classrooms to celebrate this important day with your students.
We are also running an in-person day of activities for students in years 6-8, called Languages Unlocked. Schools can apply for a place here.
© UNESCO/Montakarn S. Kittipaisalsilp
Languages Unlocked
Languages Unlocked
This week, we welcomed nearly 50 students from across the region to join us at Sidney Stringer Academy for a day filled with workshops including Kolam art, Polish culture and crafting, Arabic writing and an Escape Room finale.
The workshops were incredibly well received. I've linked to the external organisations who facilitated workshops, should you wish to reach out and use them in your own schools.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with pupils and staff wanting more sessions and a longer day! We're sharing some photos below.
A huge thanks to Anna and Daria from the Polish School in Coventry, to Gita and her team from ThaiTamil Sangam and to Aarav who joined us from Warwick University School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
In-School Activities
In-School Activities
Primary-School-Assemblies-200619.pdfUNICEF Primary Assembly Pack
Unicef have created 20 assembly ideas for IMLD. Find the pdf here.
Ramadan Lantern.pdfRamadan Lantern
Ramadan also takes place during February this year, so why not celebrate by crafting a lantern. BBCBitesize have made this easy to follow resource.
ECM_2023_CarnivalMasks_ENG-3.pdfCarnaval Masks
This fantastic resource from Exploration Museum in Greece shows you how to make Carnival masks.
chinese_new_year_education_pack_year_of_the_horse_2026_aw.pdfChinese New Year
Some brilliant ideas from the British Council to celebrate the Year of the Horse in your classrooms.
ukrainian_language_and_culture_education_pack_-_english.pdfUkrainian Language & Culture
The British Council have created this wonderful resource for bringing Ukrainian language into your school.
Competitions
Competitions
World Arabic Language Day 2025
World Arabic Language Day 2025
The UN Arabic Language Day is celebrated annually on December 18th, commemorating the day in 1973 when Arabic became the sixth official language of the United Nations. Why not celebrate in school by sharing some of these simple activities as part of your language lessons, or as extra-curricular enrichment.
If you want to raise the profile of Arabic in your school, contact your local Arabic Teachers' Council - find them here.
Please share any activities you try out in school with us!
Great Union Day Romania 2025
Great Union Day Romania 2025
1st December 2025
1st December 2025
The national day of Romania is celebrated on 1st December. How might you bring the celebrations into your classroom and wider school?
European Day of Languages 2025:
European Day of Languages 2025:
Languages Open Hearts & Minds
Languages Open Hearts & Minds
Stories from School
Stories from School
Some success stories from schools in our network
Mug Decorating
Mug Decorating
Students at Sidney Stringer Academy decorated mugs to celebrate European Day of Languages.
Snap!
Snap!
Primary pupils at Radford Academy tried out our game of hello snap!
Bake Off
Bake Off
KS4 students at Sidney Stringer chose from a range of global bakes and competed for the Star Baker prize!
Movie Night
Movie Night
Year 7 stayed after school to watch Disney's Encanto to understand a little about family life in Colombia.
JLH Language Cafés
JLH Language Cafés
GCSE students of French and Spanish brushed up their restaurant skills and tried some typical foods when JLH Languages came and delivered an immersive cafe experience.
Favourite Words
Favourite Words
At Southam Primary School, students chose their favourite words and translated them into other languages, creating these beautiful posters! Well done Year 3!
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