ATU language competition for secondary students runs once again
Atlantic Technological University (ATU)’s Department of Languages & Humanities together with support from Languages Connect are once again running the popular languages’ competition for secondary schools.
This competition is primarily aimed at transition year students who are studying French, German, or Spanish, however entries are welcome from all class groups. Each entry will submit a short 1 to 2 minute video showcasing why they love to learn languages. Entries will then be judged by the ATU languages lecturing team and prizes will be presented at a special event in ATU Galway City on Friday 21 April 2023. The winning videos will then be used to promote the study of languages at second and third level education on a national level. This is the second year the ATU and Languages Connect have worked together to deliver this competition and it is expected to have an increased level of interest following the success of the competition in 2022.
Diarmuid Ó Conghaile, Head of Department for Languages & Humanities, ATU Galway City Campus, says, “We are delighted to partner with Languages Connect to run this exciting competition again this year. It was a huge success last year with schools entering from all over the country. The entries were varied and creative, and truly showcased the passion of the students for learning a language. We had an amazing atmosphere at our awards ceremony last year with all of the finalists and accompanying teachers in attendance. In ATU we deliver French, German, and Spanish across a range of courses and disciplines. We recognise the ever-increasing importance of developing the languages skills of our students to better equip them to become full participants in the global community, and also to improve their employability upon graduation. “
“ATU has a range of international placements and Erasmus+ study abroad opportunities available to students who choose to study a language on the courses where languages are available as an elective. In recent years, more and more employers are seeking graduates with language skills and fluency in at least two European languages. Ireland is now the largest English-speaking country in the EU and as a result there is a greater demand for our graduates who possess these language skills.”
Nellie Tattersall, Project Officer with Languages Connect, says: “We are delighted to fund this project under the Languages Connect awareness raising campaign. This project enables ATU to connect with post-primary students and show them what subjects are on offer. We look forward to seeing the winning entries, and hope the competition encourages students to appreciate the benefits of learning foreign languages.”
Teachers of second level language classes (French, German, and Spanish) can enter the competition on behalf of the class group and respective school by emailing languagescompetition.galwaymayo@atu.ie or by visiting the website https://www.gmit.ie/study/schools-liaison-office/schools-activities/atu-languages-competition-2023. Multiple entries from individual schools are welcome. Entries close on Friday 24 February 2023.
The winners of each category will enjoy a full day culinary workshop in the traditional cuisine of that country (France, Germany, Spain) delivered by a culinary lecturer and language lecturer from the ATU Galway City campus. Students, along with their teacher will learn to prepare traditional dishes while also learning the culinary terms in that language (French, German, Spanish) during the workshop.
Visit https://www.gmit.ie/study/languages for more information on the range of languages available at ATU Galway City.
ENDS
Issue by Regina Daly, Atlantic TU Communications
Tel: +353 (0)91 742826 Mob: +353 (0)879618355
regina.daly@atue.ie www.atu.ie/news