Annual Report 2024 - Flipbook - Page 100
Think Global, Act Local
In support of the overarching #ThinkLanguages theme of “Think Global, Act Local”, schools looked to their
local community for inspiration when it came to inviting speakers for their #ThinkLanguages festival.
Individuals from businesses, higher education institutions and community groups where languages play a
role got involved at schools nationwide. Local MEPs, Senators and Ambassadors visited schools to provide
further insight into the benefits of foreign languages.
Student-led workshops are becoming more and more popular each year, inviting students to give their peers
an insight into their own home and heritage languages and cultures. Some parents and teachers also got
involved and offered insights into their heritage, cultures and languages, including playing music or baking
traditional items for students to enjoy and learn about. Other locally led workshops and activities included
Irish Sign Language, Samba dancing, Ukrainian cuisine and careers in languages, as well as language speed
dating, a national anthem sing-off and sports from different countries.
#ThinkLanguages at Primary
In 2024, the opportunity to bring #ThinkLanguages to local primary school pupils was promoted. An outline
in the planning handbook of what a primary visit could look like, and information shared in the Community
of Practice sessions, inspired and encouraged schools to do this. Several schools, including Presentation
Secondary School Thurles, Lucan Community College, and Portlaoise College embraced the opportunity, with
Transition Year students leading fun and interactive language taster sessions. Through catchy songs,
engaging stories and games, primary pupils got an exciting introduction to the fun of language learning.
#ThinkLanguages Partnerships
PPLI once again teamed up
with partners, who offered a
variety of activities to
enhance the
#ThinkLanguages Week
experience. As part of the ‘A
Career for EU’ strategy, the
Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) sponsored the
#ThinkLanguages Champion
Team Competition prize for a
second year. The winning
team and their teachers will
travel to Brussels in early
2025 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 once again a significant incentive for students to get involved in helping
to organise #ThinkLanguages festivals across the country.
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- PPLI ANNUAL REPORT 2024 -
