Fresh ideas and free-to-download resources from the British Council

1. Reading for pleasure

Ignite your pupils’ love of books and connect them with readers in another country. This inspiring resource, developed with the National Literacy Trust, is filled with activities to build a reading culture in your school and share stories across cultures.

It’s the perfect springboard for joining in the DfE-backed National Year of Reading in 2026. Watch the video below to see how schools in the UK and Jamaica have shared their reading journeys, building friendships through a joint love of storytelling.

2. Getting to know you

Start your international school partnership on the right foot with our specially designed introductory pack. These activities help you and your partner school learn about each other’s cultures and communities, turning a first meeting into the foundation for a lasting relationship.

Compare everyday life, swap stories, and discover how much you have in common while celebrating what makes each school unique.

3. Let’s talk about languages

Make language learning lively and meaningful. For primary pupils, our songs and interactive games introduce new words in a playful way, opening a window to different languages and cultures.

For secondary students, our discussion-based activities explore why learning other languages matters whether for careers, cultural understanding or global citizenship.

4. Explore Europe through the power of football

The summer of women’s sport may be over, but the legacy is just beginning. Designed for ages 9–13, this resource celebrates women’s achievements in sport while supporting curriculum areas such as languages, literacy and communication, health and well-being, and humanities.

Through football-themed stories, competitions and challenges, students reflect on empowerment and equality, while also looking at languages spoken across Europe through football-related words. This resource was funded by the Welsh government but is relevant throughout the UK.

5. The Great Languages Challenge

This fun challenge can be run as part of a lesson or set for homework. Available in seven different languages, it encourages students to try out new words and phrases, test their memory and stretch their creativity.

A blank template lets pupils design their own challenges, perfect for swapping with classmates or partner schools overseas. It’s a playful way to practise language skills while building international understanding.