Monday 29th June 2026.
An uplifting online event organised by the British Council in partnership with London: City of Languages as part of the London Festival of Languages 2026 brought classrooms across the UK together to explore the power of language learning. Three speakers from different professional backgrounds shared their personal language journeys — the languages they’ve learned, the places they’ve travelled, the people they’ve met, and the skills that languages have given them throughout their careers.
The lively session was streamed live into classrooms, with teachers preparing pupils using a dedicated booklet and projecting the event so pupils could interact directly with the speakers. The aim was clear: to help young people see the genuine opportunities languages open up and to encourage them to continue their studies to GCSE and beyond.
Highlights from the session
- David Lelliott (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) described how school French and German led him to Arabic and Spanish, shaping a diplomatic career that has taken him to Iraq, Qatar, Mexico, El Salvador, India and South Sudan. He emphasised connecting with people, valuing heritage languages, and embracing mistakes rather than fearing them.
- Ailsa (Cabinet Office) shared her path from a comprehensive school in Gateshead to university, a year abroad, work in Switzerland, banking roles in London and Paris, and later teaching French and German. She highlighted languages as a unique selling point, building confidence, and unlocking travel and career progression.
- Gabriel (Teacher) spoke about the advantages of being born to parents who speak languages other than English at home, language learning in school today, how teachers use languages in and beyond the classroom, and why pupils should keep going to GCSE and further study.
The session also included opportunities for pupils to pause, reflect, and submit questions live — creating a dynamic, interactive experience for schools nationwide.
Replicate the experience in your own classroom
Teachers can recreate the session using the freely available resources:
- Download the pupil booklet
- Show the video in manageable chunks
- Allow time for class discussion
- Email organisers with reactions or questions
- Browse additional British Council resources
Chapter list
- 00:00 – Welcome & schools joining
- 02:24 – Opening remarks – Vicki Gough (British Council)
- 04:30 – Speaker 1 – David Lelliott (FCDO)
- 17:31 – Pause for questions
- 19:00 – Speaker 2 – Ailsa (Cabinet Office)
- 35:05 – Speaker 3 – Gabriel (Teacher)
The event showcased the transformative impact of languages — not only as academic subjects, but as tools for connection, confidence, and global opportunity.