Welcome to
Language Detectives!
Language Detectives is a growing collection of quick, engaging activities that explore languages, words and cultures from around the world. With over 25 languages on Languagenut, this series celebrates the rich variety of languages spoken around the world and the stories, cultures and connections that bring them to life.
Linked to seasonal themes, international celebrations and awareness days, each resource can be used as a lesson starter, tutor time activity, enrichment task or language club activity for learners of any age.
Join us throughout the year as we uncover the stories hidden inside words and discover just how connected our languages really are.
Lets get started…
New blog coming soon!
Thanksgiving
Languages: French and Spanish
Celebrate Thanksgiving with new French and Spanish resources.
Students can practise seasonal vocabulary across all four skills using Languagenut vocab games, alongside sentence-building activities covering opinion phrases and infinitives.
Search “Thanksgiving” in the Languagenut Content Library to find the new resources, perfect for seasonal lessons and cultural enrichment.
World Ballet Day
Languages: French
World Ballet Day (2nd November)
Celebrate World Ballet Day with this Language Detectives activity! Students match famous ballet movements to their French names and discover why French became the international language of dance.
Download the presentation below for a fun cultural activity, perfect for lesson starters, tutor time or enrichment.
World Pasta Day
Languages: Italian
World Pasta Day (25th October)
Celebrate World Pasta Day with this fun Language Detectives activity! Students match popular Italian pasta shapes to their meanings, discovering how names like farfalle (“butterflies”) and orecchiette (“little ears”) connect language, culture and food.
Download the presentation below and see how many pasta shapes your students can identify.
World Apple Day
Languages: Various
World Apple Day (21st October): Apples Around the World
How many languages can your students recognise from a single word? In this Language Detectives activity, learners match the word for apple to 27 different languages, exploring the diversity of languages spoken around the world.
Download the presentation below and challenge your class to become language detectives! Perfect for tutor time, lesson starters and enrichment activities.
International Chef Day
Languages: French and Spanish
International Chef Day (20th October): A Taste of France and Spain
Celebrate International Chef Day with this Language Detectives activity! Students explore traditional French and Spanish dishes while learning food vocabulary, matching ingredients and completing recipes using cooking verbs.
Download the worksheets below and search “International Chef” in the Languagenut Content Library for more vocabulary and resources. Perfect for a lesson starter or mini cultural lesson.
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