Languages for Life

Main idea

Outline

There are two strands to the Languages for Life support:

1. UCD language students (Arts, Business, etc.) travel to DEIS schools to support 6th Year students with oral and written Leaving Certificate (Senior Secondary Qualification) exams in French and Spanish. In 2021 and 2022, the classes ran online. Spring 2023 was the first time to run this strand in person. For 2023/24, support is running from October – March. 2.
2. UCD Language students supporting 5th and 6th Year students from UCD Access & Lifelong Learning-linked DEIS schools on the UCD campus on Saturday mornings for 2 hours over 16 weeks, from October to March, in French, Spanish, German and Italian.

A fixed programme is in place, but school pupils also note areas they want to work on with their tutors (small group) and tutors respond to their need.

Most support was given in advance of oral exams initially (2021 and 2022 online). From 2023 on, written support has also been provided. In 2021, the online classes were funded by CAN (Clondalkin Access Network). In 2022, they were funded by Languages Connect. Since 2023, the first strand has been co-funded by Access College Education (ACE) in Tallaght for the three schools it supports, which covers transport, and Languages Connect which funds the tutors’ work.

The second strand is funded entirely by Languages Connect and run by staff members from UCD School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics.

Goals

• To build connections with UCD Students/UCD campus with students from DEIS schools and hence encourage access, whether to a language degree or any other degree.
• Support to improve language skills in advance of exams to continue with higher/ordinary level.

Target group

Obstacles targetted:

• Economic obstacles
• Social obstacles

Students involvement

UCD final-year undergraduate language students are the tutors. They work together to share resources and support each other. Good opportunity for student engagement.

Inspiration and evidence

Initiative came from the School of Languages. There was evidence of limited language support available for this student cohort and hence a lack of interest and a belief in the life-changing potential of languages. Attendance at various CELT (Community Engaged Learning and Teaching) events, which led the current co-ordinator of the programme to consider ways of providing support.

Success criteria

• Support and funding from Languages Connect.
• Coordination of tutors by School of Languages, Cultures and Lingiustics.
• The project was a welcome response to language support for students who need additional support but cannot afford supplementary private tuition.
• Prospective students from under-representated communities have the potential to build connections with UCD students and campus.
• Student engagement opportunity and teaching experience for UCD students.

Points of attention

Secure funding – if Languages Connect state-funding is cut, then the project cannot run. Other funding is needed.

Effectiveness

Yes it is effective but requires more funding and administrative support.

March – May 2023 was the first time it ran in-person. The students who attended enjoyed the communication between the 3rd-level tutors and 2nd-level students and the response to the latter’s needs, and found it immensely helpful in developing their language proficiency, and preparing them for their exams. “They always listened to what we wanted to focus on and always gave us help no matter what our struggle in the language was.”

Do you feel you can effectively provide the support that students require?

Would you recommend this to other institutions?

strongly agree

Evaluation

Yes, feedback forms on experience & content. Hope to build this into a mentoring programme so that we can track progress.

Communication

• Through Guidance Counsellor network
• On UCD Languages for Life webpage
• Application form sent directly to language teachers in schools.
• Student-tutors are recruited internally in September.

Timing

In Spring 2023, the project ran from March – May. In 2023/24, the project is running from October – March

Resources

• Funding
• Staff (School of Languages; ALL: garda vetting, room booking, class group organisation, liaising with participating pupils, parental consent forms, etc.)
• Students Time
• Communication with schools, students, parents/guardians
• Funding for food (not a part of this year’s programme)

Extra information

• UCD Languages for Life

Transferability

We think it is easily transferable to other contexts or groups.

Yes, it is very inclusive.

• Strand (a) could be developed for other schools. Transport is a problem.
• Mature or community groups could learn a new language or improve their skills though it would not have an exam focus. This would require considerable funding and staffing.