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3 December 2024  


Press Release: NUI symposium on Foreign Language Learning

29.11.2018

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When English is not enough?
Foreign language learning and Ireland’s ‘Languages Connect’ strategy:
a symposium on perspectives for higher education

Friday, 30th November 2018: 10:30am-5:00pm,
Mary Ryan Seminar Room, G27,
O’Rahilly Building, UCC

 

Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education (2017-2026) is now almost one year old. Entitled Languages Connect, the strategy was warmly welcomed by those who had been advocating for a national strategy on language learning for many years.

Languages Connect clearly identified “the mistaken belief that English is enough”, and seeks to “heighten awareness of the importance of learning foreign languages and…motivate more of our learners to embrace this opportunity with enthusiasm and enjoyment.” The strategy set many actions and targets for schools and also for universities, institutes of technology and other providers of Higher Education in Ireland.

For the first time, the Language & Literature departments across the four constituent universities of the NUI (National University of Ireland: UCD, UCC, NUI Galway and Maynooth University) will come together with NUI for a one-day symposium to discuss the opportunities raised by the strategy and explore the issues and difficulties of implementing the kind of changes that government is calling for in this area. A wide range of colleagues from other Irish universities and from the Institutes of Technology will also make contributions as well as academic experts from the USA and the UK. IBEC, the Irish Employers’ Confederation, will highlight employers’ views.

The UCC School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures will host the one-day symposium on Friday 30 November, at UCC.
A lively and productive session is expected.

Full programme details are available here.


Further information from:
The Registrar,
National University of Ireland
49 Merrion Square,
Dublin 2, D02 V583.
T:    353 (0)1 4392424  
Twitter: @NUIMerrionSq
Facebook: National University of Ireland

 

Please note that symposium will be photographed. The photographs may be used for outreach and promotional purposes on the NUI or UCC website and social media channels. If you do not wish to have your photograph used for such purposes, please speak to a member of NUI or UCC staff at the event, or email pmaguire@nui.ie in advance of the symposium.

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