Joint Project from Digital Hub Members Wins European Award

Digital Hub’s own Post-Primary Languages Ireland and H2 Learning recognised for their innovative Blended Learning Project.

Two organisations within The Digital Hub were recently awarded the European Language Label (ELL) in acknowledgment of their innovative and inspirational work in language teaching, learning and promotion.  Post-Primary Languages Ireland and H2 learning, working in collaboration with Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB), developed the winning project, Polish for Leaving Cert Blended Learning Project.

The project offers Polish as a Leaving Certificate subject to senior cycle students in Cavan Monaghan Education Training Board schools. This is achieved through a blended learning model including online classes, face-to-face classes, and self-directed lessons. The blended model has been in operation since 2021, with over 47 students having taken part so far, the first of whom sat the first ever Polish Leaving Certificate exam in 2023.

PPLI are recent additions to The Digital Hub, taking up residence on the third floor at The Grainstore in January. It is a dedicated unit of the Department of Education providing expertise and support for foreign languages education in Ireland. Set up in September 2000, its remit is diversifying, enhancing and expanding the teaching of languages in second-level schools throughout Ireland. Its focus is on enhancing and broadening the opportunities available to students for learning foreign languages that are relevant to Ireland’s future cultural, social and economic needs. Capitalising on the extensive knowledge, expertise, and capacity acquired during its earlier years PPLI now also has responsibility for implementing key actions in Languages Connect – Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026 which was published by the Irish Government in December 2017.

H2 Learning, who have pioneered blended learning in the context of Physics in Gaeltacht schools, are one of the founding members of The Digital Hub family with offices at 10-13 Thomas Street.  It offers ICT support services for educators and consultancy to policy-makers, which helps to facilitate the integration of ICT into education infrastructure and curricula. They also engage in EU-funded projects which pave the way for the future of ICT in education.

The approach of the Polish for Leaving Cert Blended Learning Project ensures equitable provision, granting students access to a language they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to study. The project also focuses on creating effective, inclusive, and engaging classes for the blended learning courses, with the goal of motivating young people to enhance their language competencies. The team hopes to pave the way for the introduction of blended learning courses in other languages and subjects, further expanding educational opportunities for students across Ireland.