Annual Report 2024 - Flipbook - Page 118
Higher Options attracted over 30,000 attendees, including students, teachers, parents, and guidance
counsellors, who visited stands from employers and third level institutions nationwide. For PPLI, it served as a
valuable platform for discussing the role of languages in students' lives, education, and future careers.
Career Options Cork, a similar event on a smaller scale, is aimed at informing Senior Cycle students in the
south of the country of their options after post-primary school. It drew approximately 6,000 students. This
event was an opportunity to reach students outside of the Leinster region, particularly in the context of postevent statistics provided by Higher Options, which indicated that 86 percent of students attending that event
were from Leinster, and furthermore, that 47 percent were from County Dublin.
PPLI also exhibited at School Summit in Blanchardstown, Dublin, in April, and Northwest Careers Fest in Sligo
in May. These events had an attendance of approximately 2,500 students combined.
In the spring of 2024, PPLI representatives were invited to individual careers fairs in Kildare Town Community
School, Lusk Community College and Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, to raise awareness of the benefits of languages
amongst students there. These fairs had a combined attendance of circa 1,200.
At all events, PPLI exhibited under the Languages Connect name and branding, informing stakeholders of
Languages Connect resources and supports, and offering guidance on the role of languages at Senior Cycle,
third level, and beyond. The PPLI team drew on personal experiences and real-life examples to support
conversations, all members having studied and used a language in their diverse studies and early careers. The
stand often saw queues of waiting students, with team members deeply engaged in conversations. Students
appreciated the array of language-related items available, which included branded bags and other
merchandise, “Hello” badges and language foldouts in a variety of languages.
Student language ambassadors and PPLI Associates were added to the team for the larger events - Higher
Options and Careers Options Cork. The student language ambassadors, being close in age to the student
attendees, were able to discuss students’ options on a peer-to-peer level, while the PPLI Associates added
their teacher voice and unique understanding of student experience to the conversation.
Impact:
•
Increased awareness of Languages Connect resources and supports amongst key target audiences – over
36,000 attendees over five days at Higher Options and Career Options Cork, the two largest events, in
addition to approximately 3000 attendees at smaller careers fairs and student events
•
Enhanced awareness amongst attendees of the benefits of language skills, as well as of the avenues for
studying and using languages in Senior Cycle and beyond
•
Connections made with other relevant exhibitors and existing partner relationships reinforced
Next Steps:
•
Maintain a presence at relevant student events in 2025
•
Continue to expand the geographical reach of the Languages Connect awareness campaign by exhibiting
at student events in all provinces, where possible
•
Continue to strengthen relationships with partners, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, to
display and promote Languages Connect literature at their stands at events
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- PPLI ANNUAL REPORT 2024 -
