To celebrate a love of learning languages, the SBS National Languages Competition is back for 2017 and it is bigger and better.

In its inaugural year (2016), with applications only from students of its partner organisation the Community Languages Association (CLA), the competition received close to 20,000 entries.

This year the nationwide initiative is open to all school students across Australia who are learning a language other than English.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Census nearly 1.3 million people have migrated to Australia in the past five years, with a substantial increase in the number of people who speak a language other than English at home, and for many that is Greek.

“As one of the world’s most multicultural and multilingual broadcasters, SBS Radio is proud to run this fantastic competition to encourage young Australians to explore and celebrate their language learning,” SBS Director of Audio Language and Content, Mandi Wicks said, adding that the competition “will highlight Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity and we look forward to receiving many entries from children showcasing their language skills for their chance to win.”

The competition, for young Australians aged four to 18 years of age, opens on Monday 24 July and runs until Friday 1 September.

Entrants are categorised into four groups: Junior Primary (ages 4 – 7); Primary (ages 8 -12); Junior High School (ages 13 -15); Senior High School (ages 16 -18).

Entrants will need to create a short video (maximum 30-seconds long) summarising, ‘What learning a language means to me’ in a language other than English.

The more creative the better and entrants can choose to sing, enact, dress up in national costume, or simply describe their love for languages.

Once the video is uploaded, they will need to fill in an English transcript explaining the video content, and an entry form.

Each category winner will receive an iPad Pro 12.9-inch (256GB) for themselves and one for their school and a day pass to Luna Park in Sydney for two.

The winners and their guardian will be invited to the awards ceremony at SBS headquarters in Sydney in October (travel and accommodation for interstate winners and guardian provided).

To apply, students must have guardian/parents’ consent. To find out more visit sbs.com.au/NLC17