The recent celebration of International Languages at the Senedd was an unforgettable day for everyone involved in the project. It was a brilliant opportunity to reflect on the power of languages and everything we’ve achieved together over the past decade.
The lunchtime session kicked things off with Lucy Jenkins, Glesni Owen, and Claire Gorrara presenting alongside Dr Ian Collen and Elin Arfon. They shared research about International Languages (IL) in Wales, highlighting key trends and opportunities to strengthen language education. One of the most exciting moments was the unveiling of our new dashboard, created with Isobel Taylor and the Butterfly Data team. This tool will help us track IL teaching and learning across Wales and could play a huge role in shaping future policies.
The evening event was a celebration in every sense of the word. It brought together colleagues, stakeholders, mentors past and present, and friends of the project to showcase the impact of languages in Wales. One of the highlights was the ‘In Conversation’ panel featuring Elin Arfon, Sioned Harold, Maryam Awawdeh, and Geinor Cuvillier, who shared their experiences of working with the project. Their stories were inspiring and a real reminder of why we do what we do. Hosting the Q&A in Welsh added something extra special to the evening.
There was also a roundtable discussion led by Claire Gorrara, with contributions from Professor Rachael Langford, Susana Galván Hernández, Dr Laura Gurney, and Professor Charles Burdett. They shared their thoughts on the role and future of languages, sparking some great conversations among the attendees.
We were honoured to have Lynne Neagle join us and close the event with some heartfelt remarks. A big thank you also goes to Heledd Fychan for sponsoring the event and giving us the platform to bring everyone together. One of the standout moments of the evening was when we invited mentors past and present to stand and be recognised. Seeing so many young people who have been part of the project’s journey was incredibly moving, and the applause that followed was a powerful acknowledgment of their contributions.
Marking the project’s 10th anniversary was a real milestone, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. While it’s impossible to name everyone, we want to say a massive thank you to all the colleagues and friends who came along to celebrate with us. Your support means everything.
A special shout out goes to Lucy Jenkins, whose leadership continues to inspire us all. Here’s to the next 10 years of celebrating the power of languages and everything the project stands for!
