Learning a language can open doors to new cultures, ideas, people and work opportunities.
In primary school you will study at least one language – English! Many will also learn gaeilge. These subjects help you to start your language learning journey.
If you’d like to know more about taking on another language now or when you start in secondary, check out our What language interests you? section.
If you enjoy languages and wish to take on something new – we can help you find more language learning opportunities!
Heritage Language Speaker
If you speak a language other than English at home such as Polish or Lithuanian, you may be able to take a Junior Cycle Short Course (100 hours) to improve your language skills.
Other Languages
You might also be able to take qualifications in Chinese, Japanese and Russian.
Transition Year is a great time to learn a new language! There are many creative and engaging options for you at this stage. Why not put your language skills into practice through teaching or in the work place?
Learn a new language
There are options to study a language during a part of your Transition Year. Currently, we offer short modules in Japanese and Russian. If you would like to study one of these module and it is not currently available in your school then contact us us and we’ll try to find a solution.
Work Placement
There are various resources being developed at the moment including a work placement pack that will help you think about how you would use your foreign language skills in a foreign workplace. More information coming soon!
Teaching Primary Students
One successful project has been the teaching of a foreign language in a Primary School. TY students design, plan and deliver a lesson or series of lessons for primary school schools in the language that they have been taught.
Here is a video of T.Y. students in Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew, Co. Wicklow embarking on a project to teach French to 5th and 6th class in their local primary school.
Non-curricular EU Languages
You can also sit the Leaving Cert in what is referred to as the non-curricular EU languages. These are languages that are not part of the normal school curriculum but students may opt to be take if they meet certain criteria. There are a number of conditions attached to these exams. Take a look at the State Exams Commission website for more information.
Whether you plan to go to college or straight into the workforce, foreign languages can continue to play an important role for you.
Working with Languages
Hear from people who work in many different industries talk about how they use languages every day in our Working With Languages section.
There are hundreds of different options when it comes to studying a language at third level. You may wish to specialise in languages, but there are also many science, arts and business courses that include language options. Gradireland and Languages Connect have produced a Language Careers booklet that you can download here
Together with Careers Portal, we have also created an online database of all third level courses in Ireland that include languages – as a module or major award. Check it out for the latest info on all courses with language modules.
If you are continuing to learn a language, that’s great! Here are just a few ways to keep up your skills.
If we can help you find out more about learning languages in Ireland click here
Only 6.5%
of the world’s population are native English speakers
