As the first round of CAO offers are released this week, students are reminded of the diverse opportunities available to them at third level, even after accepting an offer. Students who participated in a language exam for their Leaving Certificate are especially encouraged to continue their language studies into higher education to further enhance their skills and equip them for their careers ahead.
Proficiency in languages can greatly benefit graduates as they enter the workforce, with an increasing number of careers requiring foreign language skills, particularly in today's global economy in which Irish graduates are competing.
Reap the Benefits of Language Skills
Studying a language in third level can provide a multitude of benefits both academically and personally. Multilingual graduates have wider career options and increased employability post-studies. Many institutions also offer language students the option of studying abroad through the Erasmus programme, or to partake in a non-EU exchange providing an invaluable opportunity to be fully immersed in language and culture.
More Language Options Ever
The CareersPortal Languages Connect Course filter highlights over 400 courses where a language can be chosen as an elective, with nearly all Higher Education Institutes providing options across various courses.
Choosing a language as an elective allows students to not let their languages skills languish, having often already achieved leaving cert level in a particular language. If a language is not a requirement of their preferred course, these invaluable skills can dissipate holding students back from the undeniable added edge languages can give graduates. Students will rarely regret keeping up their languages skills as highlighted by some third level students have provided an insight into their experience of studying a language in third level. Take a moment to review here
Take up A New Language!
Students also have the option of taking up a new language, with some institutions offering specific programmes, including UCD’s Applied Language Centre (ALC) which provides electives in fourteen languages at levels ranging from absolute beginner to advanced.
Some institutions, such as Maynooth University, also provide opportunities to learn a new language. Students may opt to continue with languages they studied in post-primary education, like French or Spanish. Many others, including Trinity College, offer electives such as French Language and Culture, while University College Dublin features Spanish General Purposes. Additionally, studying a language at third level often includes the chance to study abroad for a term. For a glimpse into what studying a language at third level entails including opportunities available, students can explore a variety of videos from Languages Connect that feature language students sharing their experiences.
For more on studying languages at third level visit languagesconnect.ie
Languages Connect promotes the personal, social, professional and economic benefits of foreign language skills to principals, teachers, guidance counsellors, parents and students. Funded by the Department of Education and facilitated by Post Primary Languages Ireland, as a key objective of the Languages Connect – Ireland’s for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026. For all the latest updates check out www.languagesconnect.ie subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram