#ThinkLanguages Competitions
#ThinkLanguages Competitions
As part of this year’s #ThinkLanguages festival, TY students are invited to take part in two competitions. Prizes for these competitions are courtesy of our partner, the Department of Foreign Affairs as part of the A Career for EU Strategy.
#ThinkLangauges Individual Poster Competition
As part of #ThinkLanguages Week, students across Ireland will be celebrating languages and the opportunities they create. Now, it’s your turn to showcase your passion through an inspiring and visually striking poster! We’re inviting all Transition Year students to create either a hand-drawn or digital (non-AI generated) poster, highlighting the following theme: Think Global Work Opportunities. The top posters receive an amazing voucher!
Submit your A4 poster as a high-quality image or PDF via our application form by 5pm on Monday 30 November 2026 here.
In 2025, the top three finalists in the Individual Poster Competition were invited to the Department of Education and Youth for the National Final, where they had the opportunity to showcase their work. Students from Loreto Cavan, Our Lady of Lourdes Wexford, and Coláiste Íosagáin made it to the top three, with Jewell Belleno from Our Lady of Lourdes taking first place on the day.
#ThinkLanguages Champion Team Vlog Competition
The #ThinkLanguages Champion Team Vlog Competition runs in parallel with #ThinkLanguages Week and recognises the contribution of students to the promotion of the many personal, professional and social benefits of foreign language skills during #ThinkLanguages Week.
The Champion Team Vlog Competition invites the school’s chosen Champion Team of six TY students to document their #ThinkLanguages festival experience through a short, engaging vlog. Entries should capture the highlights of your #ThinkLanguages Week experience – showcasing how languages were celebrated in the school and community throughout the week. Whether you’re learning a new language, exploring different cultures, or thinking about future careers, enter the Champion Team Competition with your vlog to be in with a chance to win a trip to Brussels!
To enter the competition, each school needs to:
- Form your Champion team of six TY students and assign roles
- Plan and enjoy your #ThinkLanguages Week
- Create a 3-minute documentary-style vlog capturing your festival experience
- Include at least one language other than English or Irish
- Each team member should share their personal contribution, activities, and decision-making insights in the Champion Team Vlog Competition Entry Form
Submit your vlog and entry form via WeTransfer by 5pm, Monday 30 November 2026.
What does the prize include?
Some of the opportunities the team will get to experience as part of their prize may include:
- Return flights and accommodation for the winning team (up to six students and two supporting teachers). Participants should expect to be away for at least two nights.
- Visit to the European Commission for an insight into what a career for EU is really like!
- Tour iconic Brussels sights, such as the Atomium and the magnificent Grand-Place
- Take part in a traditional Belgian waffle workshop
- Allocation for meals, airport transfers & transportation
- Travel insurance
For full terms and conditions, see here.
Champion Team Winners 2025 Brussels Experience
Three finalists were shortlisted and invited to the Department of Education for the National Final, where they presented learnings and insights from their #ThinkLanguages experience. The 2025 finalists included Ennistymon Community School, Our Lady’s Bower Athlone and St. Mark’s Community School Tallaght. The judges were thoroughly impressed by all teams, with Ennistymon Community Schools being awarded top prize on the day of the final.
Once again, a spectacular prize was on offer for 2025 – a trip to Brussels, the languages capital of Europe which was kindly funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs for a third year, as part of the A Career for EU Strategy.
The team from Ennistymon, Co. Clare had the opportunity to see the magnificent buildings of the Grand-Place, try out the world-famous waffles and receive an exclusive tour of the European Commission for an insight into what A Career for EU really looks like.