Una Europa for UCD students

Seeking Language Guides for Una Europa at UCD 

Are you a UCD student? Do you speak German, Italian, Finnish, Polish, Dutch, Spanish, French, English or Irish?

(An bhfuil Gaeilge agat? Read this article as Gaeilge) 

Are you interested in meeting new people and developing your intercultural and communication skills, while helping other students practice speaking a foreign language? 

Become a Language Guide volunteer and contribute to the Una Europa Language Café this semester! 

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What is the Una Europa Language Café?

The Una Europa Language Café is a multicultural and multilingual programme that provides an opportunity for all UCD students to practice speaking German, Italian, Finnish, Polish, Dutch, Spanish, French, English or Irish in an informal setting. These languages are spoken at Una Europa partner universities across Europe. 

The Language Cafés are led by the Language Guides, student volunteers who are native speakers or who are fluent (C1) in one of the languages above. All Language Guides will receive a confirmation of their volunteering activity in the form of a certificate or LinkedIn review. This volunteer activity is also eligible for the UCD Advantage Award.

What is the role of the Language Guide?

Language Guides lead the conversation in their native or second language and support other students who wish to learn their language in an informal setting.

Language Guides are not teachers; they serve as conversational partners and provide support to the learners by contributing their language skills to other students’ informal learning.

Language Guides are expected to prepare conversational topics and ensure that the conversation runs smoothly. The topics should be useful and interesting to the learners as well as general enough for beginners to be able to follow, e.g. travelling, hobbies, film, music, sports, etc.

When and where does the Una Europa Language Café take place?

The Una Europa Language Café is held once a week for one hour (60 minutes) per session in the UCD Global Lounge. The exact day and time of the session will be agreed upon with the selected Language Guides. The Language Café does not take place on the weekends, public holidays, and lecture-free periods.

Why apply?

This is an ideal opportunity for students who are interested in: 

• Sharing their language and culture with other students
• Deepening their connection with their native or second language
• Having an international experience at home or volunteering on exchange
• Getting to know new people and making new friends
• Developing intercultural and communication skills
• Gaining experience in group leadership

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How to apply

If you are interested in volunteering as a Language Guide, you can apply by completing the application form by the end of the day Sunday, 2 February 2025.

For more information, please contact Tajana Mohnacki at tajana.mohnacki@ucd.ie.