One Voice for Languages

To the supporters and followers of One Voice for Languages,
OVFL was established as a voluntary association of language enthusiasts from all levels of the Irish education system, the industrial and creative sectors and the diplomatic corps. These groups were all united in the aspiration of promoting the teaching and learning of all languages in Ireland.

Initially, the impetus for collective action came from the ending of the Modern Languages in Primary School Initiative. OVFL, however, also embodied a shared concern for the general lack of support for language learning and the need felt by many stakeholders to come together to create a critical mass that would support language related initiative and issues. In the intervening years, it has explored many avenues, including the promotion of research, publications, CPD, the support of language colleagues in third level institutions, policy development and representation of language issues with the DES and NCCA. All the while, OVFL has maintained efforts to be a reference point, a support and a voice for colleagues at all levels of the education system, particularly during the pandemic.

Much has changed in the languages landscape in recent years. MFL are set to be established as a mainstream primary curriculum subject very shortly and the Languages Connect Programme is charging ahead as part of Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026.

The OVFL Committee, therefore, has come to the decision to wind up the One Voice for Languages association. We have very much enjoyed these past twelve years, collaborating with the large community of supporters and with all previous members of the committee. We are working with the PPLI and Languages Connect team to ensure that key documents from the OVFL website will be archived in the Languages Connect online space and we are very grateful to them for their support and assistance in this regard. We would like to thank all of you for your support over the years and wish you all well in your promotion of the teaching and learning of languages in Ireland into the future.

With every good wish,
Tanya Flanagan, Marie-Thérèse Batardiere, Silva Bertoni, Déirdre Kirwan and Susanna Nocchi.

Interested in taking part in primary curriculum consultation? NCCA are inviting expressions of interests from all primary and special schools. It’s your turn to have your say!

Register your interest by 9th February, 3pm: https://office.pulse.ly/iiyy7b7wtb

The primary curriculum is changing. We are looking for primary and special schools to participate in NCCA’s schools network component of our consultation on one or more of the following draft curriculum specifications:

Arts Education
Primary Language Curriculum with Modern Foreign Languages
Social and Environmental Education
Science, Technology and Engineering Education
Wellbeing

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=s-Fcb2jZiUaBpt7a8TpbEWjMOfLPKadMlFAaoN1KFXVUQ0VPN0FKSVhLMzNVMTlVN0JVSzBWTjBEVy4u

Expressions of interest are invited until Friday, February 9th at 3pm.
School input is a vital part of NCCA’s consultation process. We look forward to hearing from you!

Don’t miss this chance for your school to have a say!

Dear OVFL followers, read below on Language Education for Sustainable Development.
Dear Colleague,
In collaboration with UNITAR (United Nations Institution for Training and Research), the Language Studies department in TU Dublin are organising a Workshop on Language Education for Sustainable Development - Integrating SDGs into Language Studies Courses Curricula. It is taking place in TUDublin, Grangegorman campus on Thursday 18th January from 10.00am till 4.00pm. We have a very small number of places left and thought colleagues in other language departments might like to avail of the opportunity of joining us.
If you'd like to book a place, please send an email to [email protected]

Interested in designing and delivering a language course for primary school teachers in German or Spanish? Recruitment is now open for tutors to assist in a pilot upskilling scheme starting in 2024. For more information or to apply click https://bit.ly/3TWIgby

An bhfuil suim agat i bhforbairt curaclaim?

Tá beirt á lorg chun tacú le hobair an Ghrúpa Forbartha do Nuatheangacha Iasachta na Sraithe Sóisearaí.

Cuirimid fáilte roimh léirithe spéise go dtí 1pm, 18ú Eanáir 2024:
https://ncca.pulse.ly/40k5p9nuee

Táimid ag tnúth le cloisteáil uait!


Post-Primary Languages Ireland ATS Association of Spanish Teachers in Ireland GDI (Gesellschaft der Deutschlehrer Irlands) AIPLF Irish Association of French Language Teachers French Teachers' Association Ireland

Interested in Curriculum Development?

We are looking for two people to support the work of Development Group for Junior Cycle Modern Foreign Languages.

Expressions of interest are invited until 1pm on January 18th, 2024:
https://ncca.pulse.ly/lb1i2dtjxh

We look forward to hearing from you!


Post-Primary Languages Ireland ATS Association of Spanish Teachers in Ireland GDI (Gesellschaft der Deutschlehrer Irlands) AIPLF Irish Association of French Language Teachers AIPLF Irish Association of French Language Teachers French Teachers' Association Ireland

Conamara is the biggest Irish speaking area in Ireland - Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune The Conamara Gaeltacht remains the strongest Irish speaking area in Ireland, where 39% of the population speak Gaeilge daily outside of the education system. An Cheathrú Rua is the capital of Galway’s Gaeltacht where there are 520 Irish speakers, including 358 (69%) who speak the language daily. ...

🗣️ Múinteoirí Gaeilge - Bígí linn 2⃣0⃣2⃣4⃣

➡️Má tá suim agat i bpost linn, níl ort ach an fhoirm atá ar fáil ag an nasc thíosluaite a chomhlánú:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6648779/FoireannnOid2024

Ceol, craic agus spraoi i gCuan Eilí 🫶

The Millennium Bridge last night 🌈