The UKLO (United Kingdom Linguistics Olympiad) is a prestigious language-analysis competition, where students from across the UK are invited to puzzle and discover the wonders of the world’s languages. This year, we were delighted to see a record number of participants in Year 11 taking the Intermediate level – congratulations to all girls who took part, the winners will be announced very soon; and we hope they will go to compete at the Advanced Level next year. 

If you love languages and want to find out more about our UKLO school competition and the BHS Linguistics Club, read on! 

What is the BHS UKLO or Linguistics Club?  

UKLO Club is an extra-curricular group for any Senior School student with an interest in languages, linguistics, communication and logic. We explore linguistic theory and its application, and also support students to enter the annual UKLO competition. 

What skills do students acquire at Linguistics Club?  

By analysing linguistic observations, understanding communicative phenomena and learning about a new language, students are working their memory, logic, deduction, pattern-finding and creative skills. The club format encourages individual perseverance and team-building skills, and students can also increase their cross-curricular knowledge, including culture, citizenship, geography, history and mathematics. 

What’s so special about UKLO? 

Doing UKLO offers a unique and rewarding experience, opening doors to exciting opportunities in the field of linguistics and beyond. 

1. Beautifully crafted and authentic - A tremendous amount of research goes into the “UKLO code breaking questions” from field linguists who have travelled first-hand amongst their chosen language’s native speakers 

1. It brings a wide variety - From decoding alien messages to scents and smells, UKLO questions are diverse with over 70 confirmed different variations. There is something for everyone 

1. Keeps the spirit of endangered languages alive - Examinations have used over 165 different languages. Many languages used by UKLO are indigenous with very few speakers 

1. No language disadvantage - No disadvantage in problem solving ability if English is not the student’s first language 

1. The more they do, the better they get - UKLO questions train the brain, each UKLO question solved improves student’s cognitive skills 

Why do we choose UKLO for our students? 

UKLO seeks to improve the standard of linguistics education in schools by presenting language as a mystery to be described, analysed and solved, rather than rote-memorised and forgotten later. It is a new take on language learning sparked by the enthusiasm of its participants, as well as being an invaluable tool for general problem-solving skills.  

The skills learned from the language analysis provided at UKLO are applicable to a student’s life in general. The ability to discover and be critical on the nuances and details that make up the world will benefit a student’s outlook and prospects as they make important decisions in life and in the workplace. On top of that are the linguistic skills and fundamentals that make learning another language easier. The demand for critical problem solving, languages and cultural understanding are extremely needed in a diverse UK workforce. 

So, is UKLO for my daughter? 

UKLO is for everyone; the ability to understand our own language and the languages of others is beneficial to all students. UKLO is breaking ground in the stereotype that learning languages is only for linguists and language enthusiasts. It is different and challenging, and I have been amazed seeing our students light up with UKLO.  

The many benefits of our UKLO club:  

• Provides an intellectual challenge though analytical thinking and problem-solving 

• Enhances linguistic abilities and boosts confidence in languages 

• Prestigious, internationally recognised authority gives students a competitive edge 

• Promotes community 

• Enhances career prospects, from skills development to ability to work in different countries 

• Develops cultural awareness 

• International participation – students may qualify for the international linguistics Olympiad, representing their country on a global stage