Latest News

1 May 2026 (SCILT)

Our Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition reached its finale on 24 March with an inspiring online awards ceremony, celebrating our talented finalists and unveiling this year’s winning and highly commended poems.

We’re thrilled to now share their wonderful creations on our 2025–26 awards webpage!

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30 April 2026 (Goethe-Institut)

The Goethe-Institut's on demand streaming platform offers award-winning German films, documentaries, shorts, and classics all available for free and with a choice of language subtitles. Age suitability is stated with options for audiences from 6+.

Register now to discover emerging voices of German cinema and legendary classics. The selection on offer changes over time, so make sure to watch what catches your eye now!

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30 April 2026 (SCILT)

Come and see SCILT at this year’s Glasgow Science festival! The Sustainable Designs for Living and Learning research team (UofS/UofG/SCILT) will be at the Botanic Gardens on Saturday 13 June 'Sowing Seeds of Languages'.

We've a range of tabletop activities to try:

Braw beastie builders

Get hands on and messy creating your own fantastical creature using natural and recycled materials. We can’t wait to see what amazing creatures you imagine!

Journey of a bird

Go on a journey and gather languages with your own colourful and creative paper bird. On your travels, take photographs and tag us on Instagram @sdllmultilingualism_uofg #journeyofabird

Plant your ideas

Come and share your thoughts and ideas about Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share! (Permaculture ethics) What do these make you think of in your languages and culture? Plant your ideas and let them grow!

We will be there from 11am – 3pm. Just come along, no need to book. All activities are free of charge.

Full programme details can be found on the Science Festival website.

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29 April 2026 (The Conversation)

The future of Shakespeare may well lie beyond the English language. That was the striking message I took away from a talk by translation studies scholar Professor Susan Bassnett at the British Shakespeare Conference in Hull in 2016.

Her point was simple but powerful: Shakespeare’s works are likely to survive and flourish not only in English, but through translation, adaptation and reinvention across the world. Inspired by this, I asked six of my colleagues around the globe to share some Shakespeare adaptations in other languages that you might enjoy.

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29 April 2026 (University of Cardiff)

The Languages of Music: An Interdisciplinary Creative Workshop, led by Dr Cristina Marinetti and Professor Monika Hennemann under the auspices of CIRO, Cardiff University’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Opera and Drama, brought together students from Cardiff University’s MA in Translation Studies and students of music.

The session invited students to see translation as an active, creative practice that moves beyond the written word. Working in mixed groups, translators, singers and piano accompanists developed singable translations of vocal pieces, experimenting with the conjunctions of phrasing, breathing, sound and meaning - their translations sung and tested in real time.

The workshop drew on a wide range of languages including Italian, French, Russian, Chinese, Welsh, English, and German - showing how translation can enrich and illuminate both language and music.

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28 April 2026 (Renfrewshire 24)

A researcher at University of the West of Scotland has discovered that deaf gamers are creating a new form of sign language to communicate in virtual reality (VR).

The study, led by Paisley PhD student Lara McIntyre, found that some members of the deaf community are developing what is being described as “virtual reality sign language” (VRSL) to overcome the limitations of current VR technology.

The findings have been released to mark National British Sign Language (BSL) Day on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

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28 April 2026 (BBC)

Northern Ireland will become the first part of the UK to provide free sign language classes to all deaf children and their families, through a new sign language law being passed on Tuesday.

The Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025 will put a duty on the Department for Communities to provide free classes for deaf people under-25 and their close families, guardians, and carers.

Anthony Sinclair, who is profoundly deaf, said he is relieved after campaigners like him "had to fight for such a long time" for the law.

"We're starting to see systemic change where we're seen as equal and we really do look forward to feeling that respect for our language, our culture and our values."

Read more...

28 April 2026 (British Council)

Celebrate your school's efforts to include international work as part of your curriculum and helping embed it within your school's culture.

The British Council programme supports schools in fostering an international ethos throughout the school and embedding it within the curriculum.

We provide a framework for schools to develop international activities across the curriculum, including collaborative work with international partner schools and opportunities to involve the wider community.

As your International School Award journey continues, you will learn of new ways to develop and embed international education in your school.

Visit the British Council website to learn more about the award, the benefits it can bring to your school, your pupils and the wider community and how to apply.

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28 April 2026 (The Herald)

One of Scotland’s most successful island bands of modern times has called for future support for Gaelic culture and the arts to be treated as a national "emergency" to help secure the future of the language.

Skye outfit Niteworks have warned that generations of talent could be “lost to the nation forever” because it has become becoming so difficult to sustain a career in the industry.

(Note - subscription required to access full article)

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28 April 2026 (SCILT/eSgoil/DYW Live)

Between 11 and 15 May, our friends at DYW Live are hosting BGE Careers Fair 2026, a week of career inspiration, routes and pathways for P5-S3 learners. Across the week there are a total of fourteen webinars. Excitingly, three webinars have a languages focus, and SCILT is delighted to be hosting two of them.

Register once for BGE Careers Fair (May) here and you’ll receive the link to the webpage containing all the live/recorded sessions – including all three languages webinars – by email a week or two in advance. Join whichever session(s) you want.

• Monday 11 May, 10:30 – 11:15 Japanese culture in the workplace (P5-S3)

Learn about culture in the Japanese workplace and the advantages learning Japanese can provide, along with hearing from the Japanese Consulate about career opportunities for Japanese speakers.

• Wednesday 13 May, 9:30 – 10:15 Make your languages work for you! (P5-P7)

An interactive pupil workshop from the primary team at SCILT. Pupils will explore how communication skills in all their languages are useful in community spaces and future workplaces. This workshop will only be presented live, it will not be available as a recording.

• Thursday 14 May, 14:00 – 14:45 Languages: The Advantage You Didn’t Know You Had! (S1-S3)

In this interactive webinar by SCILT we will explore the fun, transferable employability skills associated with languages. Examine together how these are valuable assets in any learner’s choices and look at some of the (perhaps surprising!) career pathways that they can lead you to.

Visit the eSgoil website for the BGE Careers Fair 2026 full Themed Event timetable.

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28 April 2026 (Festival of Europe)

Join the Festival of Europe 2-17 May to strengthen the ties between Scotland, the UK and Europe. Taking place each year around Europe Day, this festival brings together everyone who believes cooperation and shared values can shape a more peaceful, democratic, sustainable and free Europe.

The festival’s 2026 programme includes talks, debates, walks, films, dance, art, music and community events — with plenty of ways to get involved wherever you are. Many events are free, with in-person gatherings in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, South West Scotland and Stirling.

Visit the festival website for programme details and discover what's happening near you!

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27 April 2026 (The Herald)

Scotland's Makar has composed a poem to celebrate the national team's achievement in qualifying for the World Cup.

Peter Mackay has been the national poet since December 2024, and writes primarily in Gaelic.

(Note - subscription required to access full article)

Related articles:

Ris an do-dhèanta / At the impossible (Scottish Poetry Library) - poem by Scotland’s Makar is dedicated to the Scotland Men’s 2026 Football FIFA World Cup Squad.

Read more...

24 April 2026 (ECML)

The 9th International Conference of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) took place in Munich, Germany, from 15–17 April 2026.

Organised under the patronage of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the event addressed the theme “Responsible Language Assessment to Empower Learners”.

The Council of Europe’s work in language policy and practice was presented at the conference by Dr Sarah Breslin, Executive Director of the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) and Head of Language Policy. In her address on empowering member states to implement responsible language education, she highlighted the synergies with the conference theme, demonstrating that the Council’s human-rights based approach shares the same principles of social justice, learner agency and responsible use of technology.

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24 April 2026 (Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance)

There is a tendency to think of languages as a cultural and educational resource. Yet the evidence increasingly points in a different direction: languages function as critical infrastructure. They underpin trade, enable public services, and shape how communities live together.

From an economic perspective, the case is clear. Research collated by the ITI, ATC and CIOL shows that language deficiencies cost the UK economy through lost export opportunities but, at the same time, language capabilities have the power of changing the game: small and medium-sized enterprises with language capabilities are 30% more successful in exporting than those without. This matters in a country where SMEs make up the overwhelming majority of the business population and are central to economic growth.

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23 April 2026 (Schools Week)

Schools began to scale back their language provision after plans to withdraw the EBacc were announced, sparking fears that the change is “squeezing languages out of the picture”.

The government said last November it would scrap the EBacc as part of its response to the curriculum and assessment review.

Some leaders welcomed the news, arguing the measure stifled creative subjects, but others are concerned it will leave languages in a vulnerable position.

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23 April 2026 (Institut français)

Created by the Council of Europe, the European Day of Languages (EDL) has been celebrated every year on 26 September since 2001, in partnership with the European Commission.

The 2026 edition of the European Day of Languages in Scotland will be held at the Institut français d'Écosse in Edinburgh, with the following events taking place:

A professional conference (Tuesday, 22 September 2026 @5pm)

An update on the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC), a systematic review led by Education Scotland to evolve the national curriculum. More information and registration.

Event for pupils in S2 and S3 (Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September 2026)

Interactive Activities: Dynamic "language corners" featuring up to 8 different countries, including Czech, Italian, French, German, Irish, Polish, Romanian, and Spanish.

Contact for more information Charlotte HYVERNAUD education.ifecosse@institut-francais.org.uk 

The events take place at the Institut français d'Écosse, West Parliament Square, Edinburgh, EH1 1RN. Entrance on George IV Bridge.

23 April 2026 (Goethe-Institut)

A collaboration between the Goethe-Institut Glasgow, Institut français d'Écosse, and Alliance Française Glasgow, you are invited to join us for Earth Month 2026, comprised of two weeks of expert discussions, workshops and creative perspectives.

Visit the Goethe-Institut website to find out more.

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21 April 2026 (UK-German Connection)

UK-German Connection offers a range of programmes and initiatives to help foster and maintain partnerships between schools in the UK and Germany.

Follow the appropriate link below to discover some of their latest offerings:

• Host a Teacher from Germany 2026-27 - UK schools (primary, secondary, SEN and FE colleges) can register now to host a teacher from Germany for 1-3 weeks at no cost!
• Professional Enrichment Programme - Funded opportunity for qualified UK teachers of any subject and school type to visit a German school for one or two weeks.
• Funding - A range of grants for joint activities between schools and youth groups in the UK and Germany.

Further information about all the organisation's upcoming initiatives can be found on their website.

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21 April 2026 (SCILT)

The deadline for entries for Francofoot and Calciamo, our popular football-themed resources and national competitions for S2 and S3 learners, is coming soon, on Friday 8 May!

These competitions, in French and Italian, are a fun and interactive way for students to develop their language skills while gearing up for Scotland’s exciting World Cup campaign.

Our competition webpage has been updated with lots of helpful information, including:

• Highlights from last year’s event
• Examples of student entries
• A quick-start guide to help you plan and organise participation
• Full details of how to enter

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at scilt@strath.ac.uk

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21 April 2026 (The Stephen Spender Prize)

The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation that celebrates the creativity of young people across the UK and Ireland – and their teachers!

The Prize has categories for schools, teachers and individual young people, which welcome translations from all languages, as well as a special ‘Spotlight‘ strand that each year focuses on a different widely spoken language. Our Spotlight language for 2026 is Polish.

The Stephen Spender Prize 2026 will launch on 1 May but teachers can find out more and register now on the website.

The deadline for entries is 31 July 2026.

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18 April 2026 (BBC)

When Hugo signed up for a project to help him decide if he wanted to study French at GCSE, he had no idea it would lead him to learn Mandarin.

The Year 10 pupil is one of a growing number who are helping turn around years of decline in language uptake thanks to a more novel approach to learning, courtesy of the Cardiff University-led modern foreign languages (MFL) mentoring.

Project head Lucy Jenkins said it "takes the language learning out of language" by exposing pupils to ideas to make them think about the reasons for learning another language, rather than the traditional vocabulary and grammar.

Sport, performance and culture, body language and even gestures are all used in the course and, until a few years ago, no language was taught at all.

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15 April 2026 (CISS)

Each year, CISS facilitates scholarships for school leavers to study Mandarin for nine months at Tianjin Normal University in China. This year's group of 21 scholars left for China in September 2025 and are now more than halfway through their time in Tianjin.

For March our scholar blogs covered a range of topics, including studying, a tour of Tianjin, and interviews with staff and students at TNU. 

Why not share these blogs and vlogs with your learners, and show them where language learning could take them in their future? Watch and read March's updates on the CISS website via the link below. 

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15 April 2026 (SCILT)

The Scottish Languages Employability Award (SLEA) helps schools and businesses to build partnerships through languages in order to develop young people’s learning about the world of work, the value of language skills, and global and intercultural competencies.

Our most recent verification date in November 2025 saw two awards issued for the original SLEA, and two awarded for the SLEA - Multilingual.  Find a list of award winners, and links to details of their projects, below.

Scottish Languages Employability Award - our original award, established in 2019, recognises partnerships that develop core employability skills:

• George Heriot's School
• Mintlaw Academy

SLEA Multilingual - this award celebrates schools that adopt inclusive practices in order to prepare learners to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world:

• Holyrood Secondary
• Mintlaw Academy

The next SLEA verification date for all branches of the SLEA - Original; Multilingual; Local; and Green - is Friday 15 May 2026. Visit the SLEA webpage via the link below for details on how to apply.

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14 April 2026 (Goethe-Institut)

Are you interested in learning about new technologies? Are you curious to find out what your career in the emerging field of quantum research and applications could look like? Do you want to improve your German or find out more about studying in Germany? If so our programme for secondary students and teachers, Karriere Quantum, could be for you!

Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to apply for a place in one of the innovative one-week camps! All revolve around quantum technologies and the German language.

The next camp takes place this July in Riga, Latvia. Apply by 3 May.

Read more...

14 April 2026 (BBC)

The millennia-old language of Gumbaynggirr was critically endangered. Now, a series of tourism initiatives are helping to bring it back from the brink of disappearance.

[..] Before Britain began colonising Australian in 1788, the continent was home to more than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations, with more than 800 dialects between them. Gumbaynggirr, whose origins are believed to stretch back thousands of years, is one of them.

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2 April 2026 (Consejería de Educación)

Do you have a student currently enrolled in A-level / Advanced Higher Spanish with a brilliant academic record? You can nominate them for the 13th call for “Best Spanish Student Award in the United Kingdom" in collaboration with Junta de Castilla y León.

The prize consists of a 3-day stay in Spain for two people.

Deadline for nominations: 17 May 2026.

Visit the Spanish Embassy Education Office website for more information.

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26 March 2026 (GCHQ)

The GCHQ Virtual Language Outreach sessions are aimed at Year 8/9s (S2/S3).

In these one-hour long sessions your pupils will hear about the importance of languages, GCHQ and the work our Language Analysts do. After that they will do a scenario challenge in a language they are currently studying, so please ensure you choose the correct language on offer. We will end with a Q&A session.

Visit the website for available dates and to register.

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26 March 2026 (ALL)

Is one of your students the next Amélie? Or the future Pedro Almodóvar? If so, this competition is for them! We are looking for creative, independent groups of Year 8 and 9 (S2/S3) students to take part in the Association for Language Learning Short Foreign Film Competition. 

Please see the guidance here here for all of the details, the entry form and a powerpoint to launch it with your classes. It can be used however you see fit; for example as a Unit of work in itself or a fun, creative home learning activity to get their imaginations going!

They can be in ANY language which is a wonderful way to celebrate all of the languages we have in our classrooms though if it's in a language other than French, German or Spanish, it must be clearly subtitled.

You will find all of the details in the guidance and entry form here, including the deadline and the 'brief' for their films.

We can't wait to see what your students will create! Entries due by 3 June 2026.

5 February 2026 (Civil Service Languages Network)

British Council, GCHQ and the Civil Service Languages Network are working together to promote language learning among pupils in UK schools.

Your S2/S3 pupils, who will be choosing their N5s, and S4/S5 students, prior to choosing their Highers/AH, are invited to our open, online events – see dates below. There, they will hear from speakers with different roles across government who have used languages in their career, and how either studying a language in school, or speaking a heritage language, has enriched their life and career. Pupils will have the chance to ask the speakers questions (via their teacher) through a Q&A session.

You can see some example videos here:

Rosemary Pennells (British Embassy Tokyo) S2/S3

Nerys Jones (British Embassy Berlin) S4/S5 Government Languages Outreach talk

The online events are free of charge, and if you are unable to attend the events, there are recordings which you can use instead.

To express interest, and help us keep in touch, please complete the form

We look forward to welcoming your pupils to our events!

Spring term 2026:

S2/S3 - Tuesday 10 February, 09:15-10:15

Summer term 2026:

S2/S3 - Monday 29 June, 09:00-10:00

S4/S5 - Wednesday 1 July, 09:00-10:00

Future events are also planned for both age categories during the Autumn term and into 2027. These can also be seen/selected via the expression of interest form.

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15 January 2026 (SCILT)

SCILT’s 2025-26 menu of professional learning workshops is available to book throughout the year.

Free to book for groups of primary or secondary teachers working in local authority schools. Sessions are designed and facilitated by our friendly and experienced Professional Development Officers.  

Select a workshop from the menu below, or request a bespoke input tailored to your audience – the choice is yours. Choose your workshop theme(s), pick your dates and submit your workshop request. We’ll confirm arrangements with you promptly.  

These workshops offer a chance for groups of colleagues to dive into professional learning that explores engaging language pedagogies and examples of current practice.  

Requests from professional learning leads in schools, clusters, local authorities and SCIS welcomed all year round.

Primary 

• Developing a multilingual ethos in your primary school
• First steps in teaching primary languages
• Next steps in teaching primary languages
• Assessment as learning in primary languages
• Getting outdoors with primary languages

Secondary

• Teaching Sprints – Small change, big impact
• Developing a multilingual and multicultural ethos
• BYOW: Build Your Own Workshop!
• The Big Question

For workshop descriptors, and to book one or more session for the group of teachers that you support, find the link to the professional learning request form below.

Read more...

5 December 2025 (SCILT)

Bookings are now open for four in person workshops for in- and pre-service primary teachers. Taking place at, or close to SCILT HQ in central Glasgow, each workshop focuses on a different aspect of pedagogy. Our experienced Professional Development Officers and enthusiastic invited speakers support you to develop practice related to the home and taught languages in your context. 

Informed by the latest guidance and examples of current practice.

• 24 February - Developing a multilingual ethos in your primary school
• 18 March - First steps in teaching primary languages
• 23 April - Next steps in teaching primary languages
• 19 May - Getting outdoors with primary languages

Registrations for all workshops are open now via the links above. Please also see attached flyer which can be shared with your networks. 

5 September 2025 (SCILT)

SCILT’s ECT Primary Languages Signpost Sessions are online, free of charge and open to newly or recently qualified primary teachers working in Scottish schools and to student primary teachers studying at Scottish universities.

Our Signpost Sessions are for you if are looking for:

• advice on how to support multilingual pupils and their families
• strategies for teaching additional languages
• the chance to network informally with others at a similar career stage from across the country

Each Signpost Session is themed, informal and will point you in the right direction for free resources, up-to-date guidance and practical teaching ideas. Sign up for as many sessions as you like:

• Wednesday 24 September, 16:00–17:00 - Developing a multilingual ethos in your primary class
• Wednesday 26 November, 16:00–16:45 - First steps in teaching primary languages
• Wednesday 28 January, 16:00 -16:45 - Digital tools for primary languages
• Wednesday 25 March, 16:00–16:45 - Getting outdoors with primary languages
• Wednesday 27 May, 16:00–16:45 - Next steps in teaching primary languages

Registration closes two days before each session, and the online link to join via MS Teams will be sent out one day in advance. These sessions will not be recorded.

Register via the link below. Please also find attached flyer which can be shared with colleagues. 

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15 August 2025 (SCILT)

SCILT’s 2025-26 menu of professional learning workshops for groups launches today!

Free to book for groups of primary or secondary teachers working in local authority schools. Sessions are designed and facilitated by our friendly and experienced Professional Development Officers.  

Select a workshop from the menu below, or request a bespoke input tailored to your audience – the choice is yours. Choose your workshop theme(s), pick your dates and submit your workshop request. We’ll confirm arrangements with you promptly.  

These workshops offer a chance for groups of colleagues to dive into professional learning that explores engaging language pedagogies and examples of current practice.  

Requests from professional learning leads in schools, clusters, local authorities and SCIS welcomed all year round…starting now! 

Primary 

• Developing a multilingual ethos in your primary school
• First steps in teaching primary languages
• Next steps in teaching primary languages
• Assessment as learning in primary languages
• Getting outdoors with primary languages

Secondary

• Teaching Sprints – Small change, big impact
• Developing a multilingual and multicultural ethos
• BYOW: Build Your Own Workshop!
• The Big Question

For workshop descriptors, and to book one or more session for the group of teachers that you support, find the link the professional learning request form below.

Read more...

25 March 2025 (Civil Service Languages Network)

British Council, GCHQ and the Civil Service Languages Network are working together to promote language learning among pupils in UK schools.

Your S2/S3 pupils, who will be choosing their National Qualifications, and S4/S5 pupils choosing their Highers, are invited to our open, online events – see dates below. There, they will hear from speakers with different roles across government who have used languages in their career, and how either studying a language in school, or speaking a heritage language, has enriched their life and career. Pupils will have the chance to ask the speakers questions (via their teacher) through a Q&A session.

You can see an example of a previous event here: Where will languages take me? | British Council.

The online events are free of charge, and I hope to make recordings available of some of the events. To express interest, and help us keep in touch, please complete the form.

We look forward to welcoming your pupils to our events!

Summer term 2025

S4/S5: Tue June 3rd 2025, 09:15-10:15

S2/S3: Wed June 11th 2025, 09:15-10:15

Autumn term 2025

S4/S5: Wed Oct 15th 2025 09:00-10:00

S4/S5: Tue Nov 11th 2025 09:15-10:15

S2/S3: Thur Nov 20th 2025 09:00-10:00

Spring term 2026

S2/S3: Wed Jan 14th 2026 09:00-10:00

S4/S5: Tue Jan 20th 2026 09:00-10:00

S2/S3: Tue Feb 10th 2026 09:15-10:15