About the JLC

BIG THANKS to everyone who took part in the Junior Language Challenge 2017.

We had more than 2,000 entrants and 32 amazing finalists.

uTalk Chairman Dick Howeson says: “This really was the best year ever for us and we hope everyone went away loving languages a little bit more!”

Applications for the Junior Language Challenge 2018 will open in January. Hope to hear from many of you again then and best of luck to all the children who’ll be leaving primary school - and the JLC - behind next Summer.

The Junior Language Challenge is a national competition open to primary school age children in the UK.

Run by language learning company uTalk, it was set up to encourage children to find out how fun and easy learning languages can be.

All money raised from registration to the competition goes to uTalk’s sister charity onebillion which works to educate children in developing countries.

What the children say

"It felt amazing to win the JLC. I am really looking forward to going to Malawi and seeing how JLC has helped children's education there."

Ella Whittingham, JLC Champion 2013

"After 10 years, I still can't believe I won, and I will never forget my experience. Thanks to the JLC, I now have a passion for languages, and I still love learning new ones!"

Lucy Smith, the first ever JLC Champion

"I’m very proud. All the hard work has paid off! My favourite language this time was Mandarin, because I enjoyed the way it related to other languages I’d learnt before"

Tudor Mendel-Idowu, 3-time finalist and JLC Champion 2015

What the teachers say

"A fantastic and easy way to offer language extension in primary schools."

Jo Baird, Sawtry Junior School, Cambs

"Each year when the initial language is announced a buzz of excitement goes around the school. It is a great motivator and has really brought languages to life."

Teresa Stark, St Helen's College, Uxbridge

"The JLC has been the talk of Year 5! The children have really enjoyed the challenge of learning new languages."

Lisa Izard, Fairfield Prep School, Loughborough

What the parents say

"The JLC has definitely opened the eyes of both our boys to the opportunities that learning languages brings."

Judith Flint, Nottingham

"It's been amazing. It's inspired my children to learn different languages. It's taught them not to be afraid of different languages, that they can learn it too. And it's brought the boys closer together as they can discuss amusing words and the competition experiences."

Anna Fawcett, Hants

"What a fantastic way to learn through games."

Karen Mustard, Kettering