Annual Report 2023 Entire Book - Flipbook - Page 131
National quiz
The very popular #ThinkLanguages online national quiz also ran again in 2023, with over 1,200 teams taking
part and approximately (4,300 students) participating. The quiz, which provided students and schools the
opportunity to compete against each other in a test of language knowledge, ran twice daily for the five days,
at 10am and 2pm, giving schools the flexibility needed for their individual schedules and timetables.
Think Global, Act Local
In support of the overarching #ThinkLanguages theme of “Think Global, Act Local”, schools looked at their
local community for inspiration when it came to inviting speakers for their #ThinkLanguages festival.
Individuals from businesses, universities, and community groups where languages have played a role got
involved. Even Local MEPs sent messages of inspiration direct from Brussels.
Schools invited inspirational local speakers to share their career experiences and language learning journeys.
Workshops on Irish Sign Language, CPR through Polish, French crepe making, and careers in languages, as
well as a “languages whodunit murder mystery”, an international cooking competition and sports from
different countries all added to the festival atmosphere in schools.
Student-led workshops are becoming more and more popular each year, with students across Ireland giving
their peers an insight into their own languages and cultures. Some parents, teachers and local
businesspeople also got involved and offered insights into their heritage cultures and languages, including
by playing music or baking traditional items for students to enjoy and learn about.
New #ThinkLanguages
Partnerships
PPLI teamed up with new
partners who offered a
variety of activities to
enhance the
#ThinkLanguages Week
experience. As part of
their Career for EU
strategy, the
Department of Foreign
Affairs sponsored the
#ThinkLanguages
Champion Team prize.
The winning team and
their teachers travel to
Brussels to visit a variety of EU institutions and
meet Irish people who work there to understand more about where languages have brought them in their
careers. This prize was a significant incentive for students to get involved in helping to organise
#ThinkLanguages festivals across the country – and the competition was fierce!
- PPLI ANNUAL REPORT 2023 -
131
