The GCHQ National Language Competition

The National Language Competition (NLC) is a virtual competition for teams of 13-14 year olds from around the UK to compete against each other to solve language-based challenges and score points.

The overall winners of the National Language Competition are then invited to GCHQ’s headquarters in Cheltenham to receive their trophy.

With the NLC, GCHQ aims to inspire language learning by encouraging students to discover their aptitude for learning languages.

We're delighted to confirm that the GCHQ National Language Competition is returning this year, taking place from 16-20 November 2026. Teachers and home educators can register their interest by emailing [email protected].

Explore more for information on Sample Challenges and FAQs