Think Languages Day

Think Languages Day is part of #ThinkLanguages Week, a national celebration promoted by Languages Connect across Ireland to highlight the value, joy, and diversity of language learning. At the University of Galway, we host a full-day event during which Transition Year students from local secondary schools are invited to experience languages in a hands-on, inspiring way. This year's Think Languages Day at the University of Galway will be hosted on the 21st November 2025!

Celebrating languages with languages connect

Dr. Francesca Nicora, in her role as Liaison with Languages Connect and Outreach Officer at the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, was awarded HEI (Higher Education Institute) funding from Languages Connect for the period 2023–2025. This funding enabled the organisation of the Thinklanguages Day. 

Every edition, over 160 secondary school students visited campus to take part in language workshops in Italian, Spanish, German, and French. Participants get to “taste” languages through fun activities, quizzes, and mini-workshops. They also meet student ambassadors, explore what it means to study a language at university, and engage with academic staff and peers. 

The event is fully funded by Languages Connect, which supports such outreach to promote language learning across the education system. During the day, students complete quizzes, compete for prizes, receive a certificate of attendance, and often enjoy a campus atmosphere with pizza and social breaks. 

In the last 3 years, Italian workshops for the Think Languages Day were conducted by Sveva Zafferri, Federica Curreli, Michela Sereni (PhD candidates), Silvia Alessandrini, and Nicolò Strano (teaching Assistants), with the help of student ambassadors Aleksandra Rogala, Elizabeth Duron Coppola, Liadan Harrold and Agostina Reati.

At its heart, Think Languages Day aims to:

  • Showcase the cultural, social, and professional benefits of learning languages

  • Inspire TY students to consider languages at senior and third-level study

  • Provide playful and meaningful experiences with languages beyond the classroom

  • Connect schools with university life and raise awareness of language programmes

Want to bring your students to the next Think Languages Day? Visit the Languages Connect #ThinkLanguages page for full programme details, workshop options, and registration guidelines (click the button below).

Our story

Dr Francesca Nicora, Lecturer in Italian and Liaison with Languages Connect, commented on the success of the #Thinklanguages Day:

 

“Languages Connect gave us the opportunity to promote modern languages and organise a special day for TY students coming from different schools in Galway County and City, with benefits for all parties.

 

Our aim was to encourage them to reflect on the value of learning a new language and developing intercultural sensitivity and awareness as a key driver for a positive transformational change leading to psychological well-being, open-mindedness and better living in today’s global world. TY students benefit from exploring a new university pathway with a language and feeling warmly welcomed and safe on campus.

 

Student ambassadors benefit by getting involved, gaining experience in language promotion and nurturing transferable skills. They also engaged in constructive conversations with language teachers about their career prospects, and they will receive the ALIVE certificate in recognition of their voluntary contribution to the event.

 

On the other hand, the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures was very pleased to strengthen the collaboration and to reiterate its support and cooperation with the schools. I sincerely hope to organise the event next year and provide future TY students with an unforgettable experience to remember when they move on to higher education.

 

Finally, I would like to thank all my colleagues in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, without whose help this ambitious goal would not have been achieved”. (1st December, 2023)