About
Leeds City of Languages is a vibrant celebration of the city's languages, cultures, and communities, highlighting our connections with the world.
Originally founded as Leeds Languages Week in 2023, the initiative has grown into a regional festival celebrating the rich diversity of languages and cultures across Yorkshire. The festival offers free activities in schools, community spaces and at the University of Leeds, inspiring people of all ages to embrace multilingualism, explore new languages and celebrate the cultural tapestry that surrounds us. The initiative is led by Bettina Hermoso-Gómez and Sofia Martinho, working alongside Professor Emma Cayley, Head of the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds, and supported by the Arts and Humanities Outreach Team.
In November 2025, we delivered two week-long programme of events that attracted over 10,000 attendees bringing together children, young people, families and the wider community through creative workshops, performances, competitions and interactive sessions. This year the festival will return from 9th - 22nd of November, continuing to shine a light on the many voices and stories that make Leeds a truly global city.
The rich and diverse programme of activities is brought to life through the generous support of our local, regional, national and international partners, who contribute their expertise, time and resources to enrich the lives of children, young people and communities throughout Yorkshire. Now in our third year, we’re expanding our programme and deepening our collaborations, thanks to an ever-growing network of committed partners.
Leeds City of Languages provides a hugely exciting opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the 170 languages spoken in Leeds, and to valorise the infinite benefits of learning about other cultures and societies. We are proud at the University of Leeds to be a partner of this initiative bringing our communities together.
Professor Emma Cayley, Head of the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
Co-Founder: Bettina Hermoso-Gómez Bettina is an Associate Professor in Spanish in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds, where she has worked as the lead for Widening Participation and Educational Engagement. Her work focuses on language pedagogy, developing fluency in speaking, authentic methods of language assessment and digital literacies. Originally trained as a teacher of English, French and German, Bettina has worked in a wide range of institutions including secondary schools, the Instituto Cervantes as well as several universities in the north of England. She is also the regional Director for Routes into Languages for Yorkshire and the Humberside where she supports language teachers and heritage language schools. Bettina is deeply passionate about promoting languages and understanding between different cultures. She is also one of the co-founding chief editors of the Language Scholar, an open access and peer-reviewed journal on language learning pedagogies based on the Centre for Excellence in Language Teaching. Bettina is regularly invited to speak at regional, national and international events to disseminate her work and promote the benefits of language learning. Contact: [email protected] |
Co-Founder: Sofia Martinho Sofia is an Associate Professor of Portuguese in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds, where she also serves as Director of the Camões Centre for Portuguese Language. Her work focuses on language pedagogy, digital literacies, and internationalisation in higher education. A passionate advocate for multilingualism and intercultural understanding, Sofia has led a number of innovative projects, including Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives connecting students across borders to enhance language learning through virtual exchange. She also co-founded The Language Scholar journal, promoting the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Language Education, and is President of TROPO UK, the national association for teachers and researchers of Portuguese language. Her commitment to outreach and language advocacy has inspired countless educators and students, fostering a community that values linguistic diversity and global citizenship. Contact: [email protected]
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