Post-Primary Languages Ireland

Our collaboration with the Embassy of Japan has been long, deep and impactful. As a result of our collaboration Ireland has the highest number of students per capita in Europe participating in Japanese language learning. Teachers like Ursula Zimmermann have championed the way. PPLI looks forward to continuing to work closely with H.E, Ambassador Miyagawa in order to continue the provision.

Exchanges between Japan and Ireland in education　日本とアイルランドの教育分野の交流（和文は下記をご覧ください。）
　On 1 May, at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu and Ms NAKATA Keiko, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, held an exchange of views with Ms Karen Ruddock, Director of Post Primary Language Ireland, Ms Ursula Zimmermann, first Leaving Certificate Japanese language teacher in Ireland, and Ms Avalon Kennedy Astles of the International Cooperation Unit at the Department of Education and Youth.
　They talked about the history, current context, and future opportunities for Japanese-language education in Ireland, experiences of participating in the JET Programme, and international people-to-people exchanges involving Ireland, the EU, and the United Kingdom among other topics.
　The Embassy of Japan in Ireland will continue its efforts step by step to further deepen exchanges between Ireland and Japan in education. Thank you for the opportunity to exchange views!
【photo】In front of Japanese dolls for Children’s Day (5 May) from left to right: Ms Avalon Kennedy Astles, Ms Ursula Zimmermann, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu, Ms Karen Ruddock, Ms NAKATA Keiko

日本とアイルランドの教育分野の交流
　5月1日、日本大使公邸において、宮川学大使及び中田啓子在アイルランド日本国大使館一等書記官は、カレン・ラドック・ポスト・プライマリー・ランゲージズ・アイルランド（PPLI）所長、ウルスラ・ジマーマン・アイルランド初・高校卒業資格試験日本語科目担当教員、アバロン・ケネディー・アストルズ 教育・青年省国際担当とアイルランドでの日本語教育の歴史と展望、JETプログラムに参加した経験、アイルランドのＥＵや英国との国際人物交流などについて意見交換しました。
　在アイルランド日本国大使館は、意見交換の機会に感謝し、これからも日アイルランドの教育分野の交流が進むよう一歩一歩努力していく考えです。
【写真】左からアバロン・ケネディー・アストルズ 氏、ウルスラ・ジマーマン氏、宮川学大使、カレン・ラドック氏、中田啓子一等書記官

PPLI values the diversity that individuals speaking other languages in Ireland have brought to our society. Romanian is currently a non-curricular language but we recognise that supporting the languages of our community affirms identities and background, contributing to the well-being of students and helping to build a more inclusive society. We will continue to explore new possibilities for supporting the Romanian language as we continue this journey. Thank you to Romanian Ambassador. H.E. Laurenţiu-Mihai Ştefan for his huge contribution and tireless advocacy.

🤝A very warm and inspiring meeting today between Romanian Ambassador. H.E. Laurenţiu-Mihai Ştefan and Post-Primary Languages Ireland Director Mrs. Karen Ruddock, a partner with whom we have built an excellent and truly meaningful cooperation over the years.

Together, we have worked to ensure that the 🇹🇩Romanian language has a well deserved place in Irish schools, opening doors for our young people to stay connected to their heritage while thriving in their new home.

We are deeply grateful that PPLI continues to fund Romanian language classes for students from our community — a gesture that strengthens identity, supports integration, and celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Ireland.

With dedication, partnership, and the continued support of the Irish Department of Education and Youth, we remain hopeful that in the near future the Romanian language will become part of the official school curriculum in Ireland. This would be a important step for our community and a recognition of the vibrant contribution Romanians make to Irish society.

🙏A heartfelt thank you to Karen Ruddock and the entire PPLI team for their vision, openness, and long standing collaboration. Together, we are building opportunities for the next generation.

A special thanks also goes to the members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, including those of the Ireland-Romania Friendship Group, for their continued support and engagement with our community are.
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O întâlnire foarte caldă astăzi între Ambasador și Karen Ruddock, directoarea PPLI, un partener de încredere al Ambasadei României și al comunității noastre de mulți ani. Împreună am reușit să aducem limba română în școlile din Irlanda, iar PPLI continuă să finanțeze cursuri de limba română pentru elevii români din toată țara.

Ne dorim ca, în viitorul apropiat, cu sprijinul Ministerului Educației din Irlanda, limba română să devină parte a curriculei irlandeze — o recunoaștere firească a contribuției și importanței comunității românești din Irlanda.

Applications are now open with PPLI/Languages Connect for a Primary Education Officer role. This is a unique opportunity to support the introduction of Modern Foreign Languages in the primary curriculum.
Primary teachers with foreign language skills are encouraged to apply. Deadline for applications is Tuesday 2 June. For more information on the role and how to apply, click https://languagesconnect.ie/primary-education-officer-recruitment/

The first Language Trends Ireland report was launched yesterday by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD and British Ambassador to Ireland Kara Owen. Commissioned by Post‑Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) and British Council Ireland, the research provides a national snapshot of modern foreign language learning in post‑primary schools, drawing directly on the views of students and school leaders.
Thanks to British Council Ireland for leading on this work, and to schools and students across the country who contributed their voices.
Find out more, including details of an upcoming webinar on the report, here https://ppli.ie/bulletin/minister-for-education-and-youth-hildegarde-naughton-td-launches-first-language-trends-ireland-report/

There is a new Arabic Leaving Certificate specification with the first exams taking place in 2027. For those interested in finding out more about the curriculum, what the exam entails, and how we can support your study, join our online information session on Thursday 14 May at 7pm. Register now at https://languagesconnect.ie/leaving-cert-information-sessions/

Looking for fresh ideas to keep your TY students engaged as the year winds down?
Join our online Community of Practice for MFL teachers on Thursday, 16 April (7.30–8.30 pm), where we’ll share practical ideas and inspiration for Transition Year.
Register here: https://ppli.ie/community-of-practice/

PPLI is currently inviting applications for the role of associate for the 2026–2027 academic year. Associates work in a part-time capacity supporting language education nationwide. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the diversification and enhancement of modern foreign languages in Ireland while working with an expert national network of educators. Read more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4bY6Wry

Check out the latest edition of our newsletter and find out about Leaving Certificate Language Classes, recruitment opportunities, resources, and more! Learn all about it and sign up here https://ppli.ie/bulletin/march-2026-newsletter-now-available/

Reminder! Applications for Development Officer roles to teach Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Portuguese with PPLI will close next Monday, 30 March! Find out more here https://bit.ly/40FhxSP

Post-Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) invites expressions of interest for the roles of Development Officer to teach Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Portuguese at post-primary level. Submit your expression of interest now at https://bit.ly/40FhxSP