PPLI Annual Report 2018 - Flipbook - Page 37
After listening to the speakers, students were able to experience first-hand what it is like to be at an
international conference. They put on their headphones, switched to the interpreting channel and were
entirely dependent on their interpreter. A small number of students also went backstage to the interpreter’s
booth to watch the interpreter at work and ask him questions about interpreting. After that came
entertainment, students were very enthusiastic about the dramatic performance by the Taiko drum team. This
was followed by a food tasting session with a smorgasbord of sushi, bretzel, crepes, arancini, croissants and as it
was close to Christmas, sugar roasted almonds and stollen.
Students and teachers downloaded the #ThinkLanguages App which gave them to access to maps, etc, but
also allowed them to enter a quiz to facilitate engagement with videos which showcase the value of foreign
languages for work, and which encourage students to get the most out of the day.
There was a dedicated area for stands and students found out about options for going abroad during their
Transition Year, third level study options and companies that looked for people with language skills.
11 different workshops included taster classes in Capoeira and Portuguese, Spanish and Latin American
Percussion, Japanese Dance, Irish Sign Language, Chinese calligraphy, Japanese origami and numerous
language taster classes in Italian, Russian, Polish and more.
There is a short video clip of last year’s #ThinkLanguages at https://languagesconnect.ie/news-and-events/
and there will be another #ThinkLanguages in 2019 which will cater for a larger number of students.
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