English Language Day - October 13th

Get ready for English Language Day 2010

Wednesday, October 13th

13 October 2010* is the next English Language Day, the English Project’s high point in a whole week of events starting with National Poetry Day on Friday October 8th

This year’s theme is the Language of Place and Community. There will be language debates, treasure hunts, open days, lectures, panel games, poetry and theatre, all offering the chance to discover YOUR local English.

Placing YOUR language

Language roots us to a place and connects us with people. English Language Day will let you share your community’s English. What does your accent say about where you come from and who you are? Tell us about the language of your community, what is distinctive about it, why you are proud of it.

What do the place names where you live mean? Everyone knows that New York is 'The Big Apple', London is 'The Smoke' and 'Motown' is Detroit. But does your local city, town, district or village have a nickname? Do you know why? Tell the English Project so that we can create a National Nickname Map.

We will be posting all manner of activities on our website, but we would also like to hear from you if you have ideas to explore the Language of YOUR Place and Community.

What Should You Do Next?

  • Put 13 October in your diary and start telling people about English Language Day.
  • Decide whether you and your organisation can offer to run events on this year’s theme, and tell us about it.
  • Rack your brains and be creative. Think maps, place-names, local language. How can you get your local community involved? Could your local schools be involved? Is there an event, a project, or a part of your programme that could feature the English Project? How about materials that use words, songs, sound and image recordings, road names, local maps and street plans?
  • We’ll be bringing you more information soon including tips on organising your own English Language Day event and how to find one in your area.
Send your ideas to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

*On 13 October 1362, the Chancellor of England first opened Parliament with a speech in English. That same Parliament approved a Statute of Pleading, permitting members to use the English Language in debate. 13 October celebrates the survival of English and is a landmark in its development as a world language.