Students from two Tipperary schools named runners-up in language competition
The students took part in the language competition in the Department of Education on January 23
The national final of the #ThinkLanguages Champion Team of the Year competition took place last Thursday 23 January at The Clock Tower in the Department of Education, with transition year students from two Tipperary schools awarded runners-up on the day. Teams from Nenagh College and Presentation Secondary School Thurles Tipperary were pipped to the post by Beaufort College, Navan, Meath who were crowned winners and who now will get to experience a trip to Brussels and discover languages coming to life at the EU Institutions as part of the prize.
The competition highlights the vital role foreign language skills play in both personal and professional development, a focus of #ThinkLanguages Week which took place in November and is the foundations for the #ThinkLanguages Champion Team Competition. The four finalist teams on the day included students from: Ennistymon Community School in Clare, Nenagh College in Tipperary, Presentation Secondary School Thurles in Tipperary and Beaufort College in Navan, Meath.
Karen Ruddock, Director of Post Primary Languages Ireland, organisers of #ThinkLanguages Week, praised the importance of language learning in her address, saying, “I am delighted to present this award today which recognises the immense value of foreign language learning. The students serve as incredible ambassadors for language learning, demonstrating how subjects extend beyond textbooks and taking them into real life.
#ThinkLanguages Week, which this year involved over 17,500 transition year students from over 200 schools across Ireland during the week of 22-27 November, is a student-led celebration and aims to showcase the benefits of foreign language learning through diverse activities such as language workshops, talks, music, dance, film, and more. Ms. Ruddock added, “The benefits of language learning go far beyond the classroom, and grades, as we saw and heard today. The immense transversal skills they provide for, such as communication, critical thinking and teamwork will stand to each student in their futures. I hope today’s participants will remain champions for language learning, inspiring all students, regardless of their proficiency level, to embrace the world of languages.”
To enter the competition, participating teams provided an overview of their planned activities for #ThinkLanguages Week, with ten schools selected for a judge’s visit. The judges faced a challenging decision due to the high standard of events across the country in November. This year’s competition themes centred on how language learning enhances life skills, creates global opportunities, and fosters broader personal connections. The finalists excelled in demonstrating these themes within their events and final presentations.
This year’s grand prize was again supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and its “A Career for EU Strategy”, which emphasises the need for multilingual Irish representatives in Europe to ensure effective collaboration and communication with counterparts across Europe and beyond.
Speaking about #ThinkLanguages, a representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs said, “We are delighted to see students participating in #ThinkLanguages and encourage them to carry on their passion for languages into further education and beyond. Proficiency in a second EU language is a vital skill for those aspiring to careers in EU institutions such as the European Parliament and European Commission. Both English and Irish (as well as French, Spanish, German, Polish etc) are among the 24 official EU languages.”
“Careers in the EU are well paid and offer a way to make a meaningful difference. When students finish school, they may go on to study law, technology, science, economics, agriculture, or languages. The European Union offers careers in all these areas and more. By mastering a second EU language, you could help shape policies that improve the lives of 450 million citizens across Europe. A love of languages could be the key to building a rewarding career and making a mark on Europe’s future,” added the representative.
The annual event designed for Transition Year (TY) students across Ireland, #ThinkLanguages Week, and organised by Post Primary Languages Ireland, is in support of Languages Connect Strategy, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026. The celebration continues to grow year-on-year and this year, #ThinkLanguages will take place in schools and venues nationwide during the week of 17-21 November 2025.