Leeds City of Languages
Leeds City of Languages is a vibrant celebration of the city's languages, cultures, and communities, highlighting our connections across the world. The initiative is led by Bettina Hermoso-Gómez and Sofia Martinho, with the support of the Arts and Humanities Outreach team. To find out further information, including the wider offer from Leeds City of Languages, access the main website. In 2025, Leeds City of Languages took place 10-22 November.
In-school taster workshops
Leeds City of Languages offers a fantastic selection of language workshops delivered by our academics in local schools. These workshops are aimed at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. Sessions aim to introduce school students to new topics or languages, help them build on their current subjects and support them in developing skills and insight into the university experience.
Leeds City of Languages programme has now finished for 2025 - however you can see what was on offer below. Re-visit our website in autumn 2026 to see what we have on offer for November 2026.
November 2025 workshop options
Arabic
Available 15-17 November, 19 and 21 November 2025
Session info:
Option 1: taster session for beginners
Option 2: taster session for heritage speakers with previous knowledge.
Comparative literature
Available on 11 or 12 November
Session info:
This is a 1-hour workshop of poetry in translation for 6th formers.
French
Option 1: A-level workshop
Available 19 November
Option 2: French taster workshop (beginner)
Available - 20 November (AM), 21 November
German
Option 1: A-level workshop
Available - 10-14 November 2025
Option 2: German taster session (beginner to GCSE level)
Available 12, 13, 18 & 21 November 2025
Option 3: German A-level translation workshop
Available 17-21 November 2025
Option 4: German A-level workshop on German film and literature
Available 10-21 November 2025
Intro to conference interpreting
Available Monday 10 November (AM)
Session 1 info:
GCSE language class, ideally a max of 20 students; no language requirements.
The taster session will introduce the profession, discuss the possible implications of AI, and give the students the chance to have a go at some of the practical skills.
1 hour long
or
Session 2 info:
A-level languages class, ideally a max of 20 students; all languages welcome
The taster session will introduce the profession, discuss the possible implications of AI, and give the students the chance to have a go at interpreting some content.
1 hour long
Italian
Available:
- 13 November after 10am
- 21 November from 10am
Session info:
Taster session for beginners
Japanese
Availability - Friday 14 November from 10am
Session info:
Taster session for beginners
Korean
Available 17 November 1pm - 3pm
Session info:
Taster session for beginners.
Linguistics
Session 1 - linguistics taster
Availability: 10, 11, 13 or 14 November AM
21 November PM.
Session info:
2 hour session; any interested students of any level welcome. School to provide individual whiteboards for each student if possible.
Session 2 - how to do linguistic research
Availability: Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12, Tuesday 18 & Wednesday 19 November.
Session Info:
1 hour session aimed at Year 12 A-level English language students.
Mandarin
Session 1 - Mandarin taster
Availability: Tuesday 11 November AM & Thursday 13 November AM
Session Info:
Language taster session featuring Chinese cuisine. Available at all levels.
Session 2 - Mandarin (Confucius)
Availability: Tuesday 11 & Thursday 13, Tuesday 18 & Thursday 20 November
Session Info:
90 minute Mandarin language and culture taster for beginners.
Persian
Available 12 November AM
Session info:
Taster for beginners
Portuguese
Availability: Wednesday 12 or Thursday 13 November
Session info:
Option 1: taster session for beginners
Option 2: taster session for heritage speakers with previous knowledge.
Quechua
Available Friday 21 November
Session info:
Open to all levels.
Russian
Available Tuesday 11, Thursday 13 or Friday 14 November, all after 10am
Session info
Taster session for beginners
Subtitling workshop
Availability: 13 or 14 November
Session info:
Subtitling workshop. All languages and levels welcomed. Workshop for a max of 30 students.
Thai
Availability 10 November AM & 11 November AM
Session info:
Beginners level - Thai greetings, how to order Thai food, and a fun introduction to Thai cuisine.
Ukrainian
Availability 11 November & 12 November
Session info:
Taster session for beginners.