Student success at the Irish Intervarsity French Debates / Joutes oratoires interuniversitaires d'Irlande

Congratulations to two of MLAL final-year students of French - Ryan Burke (B.Ed Languages) and Bernard Tynan-Pascual (BA Applied Languages) - on their outstanding success at the Irish Intervarsity French Debates / Joutes oratoires interuniversitaires d'Irlande, which happened on the 7th of March in Trinity College Dublin.

This competition, organised annually by the ADEFFI in association with the French Embassy, brings together students from across the HE sector on the island - both learners and native speakers - to debate topics of contemporary importance.

Ryan and Bernard represented UL in the 'advanced' category through a qualifying round and a final, where they debated successive motions on the effects of social media in education, and on the role of francophonie in the protection or otherwise of cultural identities. Debating in French in a format requiring spontaneity and real fluency, they emerged as the overall winners of the competition. 

This is a major testament to Ryan and Bernard's excellence as students of French, and as ambassadors for the subject. It is also a cause for genuine satisfaction and celebration by their teachers in the French section. Ryan and Bernard were helped in their preparation by members of the French section Marie-Thérèse Batardière, Annie Girardin-Halpin, and Stéphanie O'Riordan, Clíona Hensey, Adèle Guillaume and Head of section Michael Kelly as well as Catherine Jeanneau of the LLH - along with the broader 'village' of French studies at UL.

Bravo et félicitations to Ryan and Bernard!