Españolimpiadas 2026
On Saturday, 14 February 2026, Shiv Nadar School, Chennai hosted the 5th edition of Españolimpiadas, an interschool Spanish competition organised by the Association of Professors of Español in South India (APESI).
In the Indian context, where opportunities to engage with Spanish beyond the classroom are limited, Españolimpiadas offers learners a unique platform to experience the language in an immersive and meaningful way. Rooted in the ideals of multilingualism, international-mindedness, and cultural appreciation, the event brought together young language enthusiasts from across the region.
This year’s edition saw participation from 6 schools, with approximately 180 student participants forming 21 teams, supported by 16 Spanish teacher volunteers. The event began on an inspiring note with the lighting of the Olympic Torch and a student-led preamble, setting the tone for a day of enthusiasm, collaboration, and friendly competition.
We were honoured to host Ms. Elena Garcia Torres, Technical Advisor for Education at the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain, as the Chief Guest.
A Day of Engaging and Experiential Learning
The competition featured a range of station-based activities designed to challenge and engage students creatively:
- Digital Escape Rooms
- Stories with Grammar Twists
- Language-based competitions
Beyond the academic components, the event also included Art, Theatre, and Music workshops, offering students opportunities to express themselves, collaborate with peers from different schools, and explore Spanish language and culture through the arts. These sessions created moments of joy, connection, and shared learning, complementing the intellectual rigour of the competition.
Student Leadership in Action
A distinguishing feature of Españolimpiadas 2026 was the active involvement of our students as volunteers and coordinators. They supported registrations, guided visiting schools, managed logistics, and interacted with participants and educators—demonstrating strong leadership, communication skills, and a spirit of global citizenship.
A Celebratory Close
The day concluded on a high note with an energetic Zumba session, led by our dance instructors, bringing together participants in a lively celebration. This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony, where winning teams were felicitated with trophies, medals, and certificates.
Españolimpiadas 2026 came to a close with smiles, new friendships, and a renewed enthusiasm for language and culture—truly reflecting the spirit of experiential learning and global engagement that the event seeks to foster.
