The deadline for entries to the 2026 European Day of Languages Competition is 23rd October 2026.
Register below to download your entry templates and get ready to enter the competition.
2026 Competition for Schools
For this year’s competition, we’re asking students to explore and express in their own words how languages unite us.
The competition is open to all schools that study or speak in a European language and aims to showcase the importance of language learning and how they unite us.
Using the ‘Languages Unite’ templates, students will reflect on:
🌎 The importance of communicating across cultures
🤝 How language learning helps us to foster inclusion
💬 How languages help us understand different perspectives and ways of life
👀 How speaking and learning languages can create friendships and connections
❤️ How languages can help everyone feel seen, heard and that they belong
🌎 How languages can bring communities together and help us become global citizens
Entries must include text in a European language (e.g. a phrase, paragraph, poem, or creative format). All participating schools will receive access to a resource pack including an assembly, quizzes and cross-curricular activities.
How to enter
Using the ‘Languages Unite!’ template, students should creatively respond to the question: What does ‘Languages Unite!’ mean to you?
There isn’t one right answer. Students could think about:
- How can languages bring different people together?
- How can speaking someone’s language help them feel welcome?
- What languages are part of your school, family or community?
- What can we learn from people who speak different languages?
- How can languages help us understand other cultures?
- Why is being able to communicate across cultures important?
- How can learning languages help us become global citizens?
Students can draw, illustrate, write, collage or combine different creative approaches within the template. We want students to interpret Languages Unite! in their own way.
Entries must include some text in a European language. This could include:
- A word or phrase
- A greeting or message
- Sentences or paragraphs
- A poem or haiku
- A letter or message to someone
- A calligram
- An acrostic
- Original song lyrics
Each student can create their own individual entry. Entries must be submitted by a teacher on behalf of their students on the Global School Alliance platform.
How to submit entry
- Register via the form on this page.
- Check your email with the information to access the project space.
- Navigate to ‘Documents’ and upload the submission to Primary/Secondary folder.
How the competition will be judged
Entries will be reviewed by our judging panel, who will be looking for:
a) Creativity – an imaginative and original response to Languages Unite!
b) Meaning – how well the entry communicates the importance of languages, connection and inclusion
c) Language – thoughtful and creative use of a European language
d) Presentation – an engaging entry that communicates the student’s idea clearly
We aren’t looking for perfect language skills. Ideas, creativity and what languages mean to the students matter more.
Who can enter
The competition is open to Primary and Secondary age groups.
Please refer to ‘How to Enter‘ for further guidance.
When is the deadline?
23rd October 2026.
When will the winners be announced?
30th October 2026.
Sign up to enter the competition!
Register below to receive your entry templates and get ready to submit!
