In November 2024, nearly 3000 teams of Year 9 students from across the UK took part in GCHQ’s annual National Language Competition (NLC), a virtual capture-the-flag style language competition where competitors work to solve language-based puzzles and score points.
To celebrate their victory, the winning team (Aanya, Arisha, Shreyaa and Katia from The Henrietta Barnett School, London) were invited to the Cheltenham HQ to learn about the work of GCHQ language analysts, and receive their trophy in a special presentation from Director GCHQ, Anne Keast-Butler.
The students were given a tour of the museum from a GCHQ Historian and got an exclusive look at the 24/7 operations centre, where they saw firsthand how GCHQ responds to global events.
The team met with the Director and senior GCHQ staff, who explained how languages are at the heart of GCHQ’s mission to safeguard the UK, and learned how language analysts leverage their cultural, analytical, reporting, and technical expertise to keep abreast of global developments.
They also met language analysts, some of whom crafted the NLC challenges. The analysts shared their diverse backgrounds and career paths, showing the students that language skills can lead to rewarding careers, whether acquired at school, university, or home.
The highlight of the day was when the Director presented the NLC 2024 trophy to the students. Each student also received a personalised NLC winners coin and a signed copy of the GCHQ Puzzles for Spies book, to serve as a reminder of their outstanding efforts in the competition, and as a special memento of their day with us.
The National Language Competition will be returning later this year, please check our website for updates. School teachers/home education representatives can register their interest by contacting nlc@gchq.gov.uk.