QUEEN’S University Belfast is encouraging everyone in the workplace and education to get involved in this year’s European Day of Languages (EDL).
With international students and staff at Queen’s representing more than 80 countries, the university will mark the broad range of languages spoken by people currently living in Europe, and the diverse cultures that accompany them by celebrating EDL tomorrow (Saturday).
Northern Ireland Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (NICILT), based in Queen’s School of Education, is responsible for promoting EDL across Northern Ireland.
Ian Collen of NICILT said: “We encourage everyone in the workplace and at all levels of education to get involved in celebrating the wealth of languages used across Northern Ireland.
“Whether you decide to speak another language for the day, teach a friend a few words in another language or listen to a radio station from another country, let us know about it and most of all, have fun.”
Various events at Queen’s have been taking place throughout the week with the aim of promoting the many varied opportunities available to all students and staff at Queen’s through the language centre, to improve their language skills in over 20 different languages and gain training in cultural awareness.
Queen’s University Belfast NICILT will also be hosting a free sign language workshop giving visitors a taste of British and Irish sign languages tomorrow from 10.30am until 11.30am in the Lanyon Building, Room G0/074.