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Languages in the life of the UCD community: experiences and inspirations

This is all thanks to languages!

I study languages, literatures and translation.
When I began to study languages everyone told me that I would not be successful in life, but after 3 years, here I am, recording a  (opens in a new window)promotional video for one of the best Irish universities, after having studied there for a year and having got to know the best people that I could have ever got to know in my life. This is all thanks to languages.
In October I will begin my MA studies and I hope to get a dual degree in a Spanish university to begin to work soon as a teacher or translator.

What really worked for me was the small class size and I loved that the teachers were native speakers.

One of the reasons I chose UCD was so that I could keep up languages with my electives and I took two language electives with the Applied Language Centre this year. In semester 1 I decided to try a beginners Spanish elective and in semester 2 I took a more advanced French elective as I had studied French for Leaving Cert. I had such a positive experience learning both languages. What really worked for me was the small class size and I loved that the teachers were native speakers. I can't wait to take more language modules next year and I hope to complete a structured elective in either French or Spanish.

Learning Portuguese is a gateway into literature and cultures both within and outside of Europe.

Though my focus lies in French, I had been looking for the chance to improve my Portuguese and was incredibly happy to do so at UCD. I felt that I was able to progress quickly because of the comfortable and encouraging environment, and, on top of that, we also learnt about lusophone culture and Portugal's influence around the world. Learning Portuguese is definitely a gateway into literature and cultures both within and outside of Europe, but it's also enriching in itself to be able to learn a new language and develop that skill set for the future. I would definitely recommend taking it!

As a non-Irish person it means a lot to be able to learn the language of the country I now call home.

I was delighted to be able to take a Level A1 Irish course with Gaeltacht UCD. As a non-Irish person it means a lot to be able to learn the language of the country I now call home. The format and the ease of access in terms of the pace of the course, the teacher, the timing, duration- everything was perfect for me. It made me want to learn and provided for an excellent after-work activity. I am eternally grateful to the entire Gaeltacht UCD team for making this happen for us. Go raibh míle maith agaibh!

UCD Languages for Life

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 7777