Trying new languages, exploring creative activities and celebrating cultural diversity will be open to all as part of Leeds City of Languages.
The fortnight-long festival, led by the University, is putting languages in the spotlight across the city from 10-24 November.
As well as delivering taster sessions in 15 languages for schools across West Yorkshire, the programme offers beginner sessions for all in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, French and Portuguese, alongside concerts, talks and exhibitions.
This initiative demonstrates the University's commitment to connecting research with communities, using language and culture as a bridge to foster meaningful engagement across the region.
The packed programme is coordinated by Sofia Martinho, Associate Professor of Portuguese, and Bettina Hermoso-Gómez, Associate Professor in Spanish, in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. It aims to celebrate linguistic diversity in a city where more than 170 languages are spoken.
Sofia Martinho, who is also Director of the Camões Centre for Portuguese Language, said: “More than one in four UK adults regret not learning a second language, but with Leeds City of Languages, we want to make language learning less intimidating for people of all ages.
“Learning about languages and cultures other than English isn’t just about vocabulary or exams – it helps to expand perspectives and bring people together. We’re excited to see this in action in November.”
The programme also explores some of the most pressing questions about languages in a series of free, public talks both online and on campus. These include: Where can languages take you in work and life? How can we address challenges in language education? How does language shape artificial intelligence (AI)? Why is language so important in child development? And, why are certain languages stereotyped as ‘romantic’ or ‘aggressive’?
Research about the heritage of languages is also being showcased, with talks on a Somali village in Bradford in 1904, and how the words on coins can be a window to the past. Collaborative talks with the British Library also explore the history of writing, and language in children’s literature.
Initiatives like these play an important role in the recognition of multilingualism as a national asset which should be nurtured.
Cultural activities include a multilingual poetry competition called Mother Tongue, Other Tongue, sessions on Chinese dance, film screenings and a concert by Brazilian duet Isabella Bretz and Rodrigo Lana.
Bettina Hermoso Gómez, who is also Director of Routes into Languages Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “We’re proud to be celebrating the amazing cultural diversity that already exists in Leeds and the West Yorkshire region. This initiative demonstrates the University's commitment to connecting research with communities, using language and culture as a bridge to foster meaningful engagement across the region.
“We are grateful to our regional, national and international partners, who share their expertise, time and resources to celebrate multilingualism and encourage language learning across Yorkshire.”
For teachers, there are several talks about languages in the classroom, including children’s speaking and listening skills, and using multilingualism as an asset. The British Council is contributing a webinar on careers in languages for pupils in Key Stage Three.
Vicky Gough, Modern Foreign Languages Adviser at the British Council, said: “The learning of languages is essential for developing international and intercultural skills. In our multilingual and multicultural society, every child should have the opportunity to learn a language and to celebrate their home and heritage languages.
“We congratulate the organisers of Leeds City of Languages on putting together this fantastic festival. Initiatives like these play an important role in the recognition of multilingualism as a national asset which should be nurtured.”
Leeds City of Languages has evolved from Leeds Language Week, which first started in 2023 as part of Leeds 2023 Year of Culture and the festival is now funded by the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds.
The full programme is now available for booking on the Leeds City of Languages website.
Further information
For media enquiries and interviews, email Mia Saunders in the University of Leeds press office via m.saunders@leeds.ac.uk
Top image credit: Ossett Academy.
Leeds City of Languages is delivered in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including:
- Association for Language Learning (ALL)
- Alliance Française de Leeds
- British Council
- British Library
- Camões Centre for Portuguese Language at Leeds
- Camões, IP
- Camões, IP Reino Unido e Ilhas do Canal
- Centre for World Literatures
- Chapel Allerton FM
- Confucius Institute Leeds
- German Saturday School
- Global Leeds
- Instituto Cervantes Leeds
- Joe Dale – Independent Consultant (Language Teaching with AI)
- Language@Leeds
- Languages for All
- Leeds Chinese Community School
- Leeds International Film Festival
- Leeds Libraries
- Mother Tongue Other Tongue
- Sanako
- The Language Collaboration Project@Success4All
- The Language Zone
- The Library4Multilinguals
- The Little Bookshop
- The Spelling Bee
- UK Linguistics Olympiad
- University of Leeds International Concert Series
- Wilkommen in Dortmund