Transition year students discover languages at UCC’s Fluent Futures

11 Dec 2025

• Transition years students unlock the potential of languages with Fluent Futures programme at UCC
• The three-day programme introduces students to language and communication skills that are in high demand across a wide range of sectors.

UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences welcomed more than 150 transition year students from across the region for Fluent Futures, a programme exploring the potential languages as part of #ThinkLanguages week. The programme highlighted the range of languages taught at UCC School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and aims to empowers students to discover the many ways languages can shape their future.

Participating transition year students took part in introductory language classes across Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, met UCC course directors from UCC’s World Languages BA (CK110), Bachelor of Arts (CK101), Bachelor of Arts (International) and BEd Gaeilge, and explored UCC on guided campus tours. The programme aims to give students a real sense of what it’s like to study languages at university and the discover diverse career pathways.

Margot Spencer, coordinator of Fluent Futures and Senior University Language Teacher at UCC, said: “Studying languages at university opens doors in ways students don’t always expect. You get to dive into new cultures, learn from native-speaking staff, and build confidence in skills that are valued in every sector. Whether you’re mastering a language or starting a new language from scratch, you’ll join a supportive community here and discover a wide range of paths after graduation, from international business to diplomacy, tech, education and much more.”

“UCC’s strong position in the QS rankings for Modern Languages shows the quality of what we do, but it’s events like this that help students picture themselves here and imagine the paths they can pursue through their studies and beyond. Fluent Futures gives students a chance to imagine where languages might bring them, whether that’s life abroad, a career that spans cultures, or simply the confidence that comes from mastering something new,” Professor Silvia Ross, Head of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, said.

The programme is sponsored by the PPLI Languages Connect initiative.

Students from a wide range of schools took part, including Ashton School, Clonakilty Community College, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Colaiste Fionnchua, Cork Educate Together Secondary School, Nagle Rice Secondary School, St Vincent's Secondary School, St Peter's Community School, Douglas Community School, Hazelwood College, St Ailbe's School, and St Declan’s Community College.