Biggest #ThinkLanguages Week yet saw schools, universities, Cultural Institutes, and cinemas come together in celebration of languages and cultures.
This week, 21,000 students from over 240 schools across Ireland took part in #ThinkLanguages Week; the eighth dedicated celebration of languages and cultures. The student-led event took place in schools across the country and was an exciting week with students engaging in activities that showcased the power and possibilities of language learning.
This year’s celebration proved the most dynamic yet with the greatest number of schools and students involved ever, as well as a growing list of partners. Returning partners included the Irish Film Institute with hundreds of students availing of the opportunity to view a foreign language film, universities across the country, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and their ‘A Career for EU’ strategy who are once again sponsoring the Champion Team competition. Thousands of students participated in partner activities throughout the week, learning more about foreign languages. A key highlight of this year’s celebration was the exciting addition of cultural institutes who joined the festivities for the first time. Together, these partners are helping to take languages beyond the classroom and into real-world experiences through interactive workshops, foreign language films, inspirational speakers, and more.
A highlight of the in-school events was a special online Opening Ceremony featuring notable figures including renowned Euronews journalist and broadcaster Meabh McMahon; owner of the award-winning Grá Chocolates, Gráinne Mullins and multilingual social media sensation Yugi Beleza. They each shared how their language learning journey has shaped them both personally and professionally.
Another new addition to this year’s event was the updated format of the #ThinkLanguages Champion Team competition. Students have been asked to document their week of celebrations in a documentary style vlog to be submitted on or before Monday 1st December. The lucky winners will receive the sought-after prize of a trip to Brussels where they will experience what a ‘Career for EU’ is like, thanks to competition sponsors, the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In addition, for those who may not be hosting a #ThinkLanguages Week celebration of their own, a special poster competition in celebration of the week is available. All transition year students are encouraged to participate and are invited to consider where languages can take their careers. Great prizes are up for grabs, as well as an opportunity for students’ posters to be displayed in the Department of Education and Youth. Find out more about the competitions on offer for #ThinkLanguages Week here.
