Doors to new languages

Simon Coveney - French

"I chose to learn French because I had a very basic knowledge of it in school and like the sound of it very much. If you like the sound and emotion of a language, it becomes more enjoyable to learn.

"To be honest, I found it difficult to find the time to put aside to concentrate on learning how to speak French. The staff at the Alliance Franτaise in Cork showed great patience with me, and I appreciate that very much.

"In the future, I hope to be able to converse with people in French. From a political point of view, this may be very helpful in negotiations or dealings in Europe. From a social and holiday point of view, I love going to France and, naturally, having a better understanding of the language will make that experience all the more enjoyable."

Simon Coveney is a TD

David Malone - French

"I chose French because I did it in school and got to a certain level with it. But then I didn't speak it for five years, and it became rusty, so I wanted to bring it up to speed, and I didn't want to start another language.

"I was brought to the Alliance Franτaise, and they were very helpful, but they enrolled me in classes which clashed with my coaching of a swimming team, and my own training, and many other commitments. Thursday was the only day that fitted, but some mornings I was on the go from 5 a.m., and then I was just too tired. If the time arose when I could give it 100 per cent, then I would like to learn it, though it's hard to get the momentum going.

David Malone is a Paralympic gold medallist

Stephen Donohue - French

"When I left school, I went to the Apprentice Jockey School in Kildare to do my training. To get your certificate, you needed to achieved a high level of horsemanship and stable management and a basic level in a European language with emphasis on the technical terms associated with horses and racing. I chose French.

"I really enjoyed it, as my French classes were all about horses and racing. I listened more because I was interested, and I knew it would be important for me in my chosen career as a jockey.

"I hope to go on work experience to a French stable in Chantilly, and maybe one day ride in the French Champion Hurdle Race at Auteuil.

Stephen Donohue is an apprentice jockey at RACE

Louise Moran - French

"I chose French because I like it. I did French and German for the Junior Cert, and I found French easier. My teacher at RACE said I was good at it, and that I should do the Challenge.

"We were given books and tapes, and the teacher went through them with us, but it was mostly stuff I had done. There were also French students at RACE, so they were teaching us French, and we were teaching them English. It was really good, and I learned a lot.

"Depending on how I do in the Leaving Cert, I might like to do French in college.

Louise Moran is a fifth-year student

Olive Braiden - Sign language

"I wanted to give some focus on Sign Language. The more people who know and use it, the easier it will be for the deaf community, who are very isolated from hearing people as they have no common language.

"I have a very good teacher, Senan Dunne, so I'm making some progress!

I hope to use it and continue to improve. It is a slow process, and needs to be put into practice on a regular basis.

Olive Braiden is director of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency

Stephen Rea - Irish

"I chose Irish because I had made attempts to learn it before, but I was always too busy and on the move.

"I had fantastic one-to-one classes with Ant≤n MacLachlainn. They were great fun, and thoroughly enjoyable, but you really need to be immersed in a language. There's nowhere you can go speak Irish. You can go to the Gaeltacht, but that's out of ordinary life, and TG4 is bilingual. It's a difficulty.

"I don't know what I will do with it in the future. I hope to communicate with my children, and I do feel incomplete without it. A language is a memory, a history, and you can't tap into it if you don't have it.

Stephen Rea is an actor

Agnes Ojuolape - Irish

"I am originally from Nigeria and have been living in Ennis, Co Clare, for three years. Two of my three children are studying Irish. When my youngest comes home with Irish homework, I always sit down and listen to him, and watch him doing it. I wanted to be able to communicate in it.

"I have lessons once a week, and they are very good. I love the language, and am fascinated by it. In Irish, you start at the back of the sentences, whereas in English, you start at the beginning!

"Irish will be very useful in my academic career. It's interesting, challenging, and I love it!

Marian Finucane - Italian

"I think Italian is a beautiful language. I've been an Italophile for years - the food, the people, the music, the language . . .

"I liked the notion of studying again, and was very pleased with my teacher. I went to school in Italy during the summer, and found it very stimulating.

"I hope to have occasion to use it! I'll be going to Italy in May, and go there a lot on holidays. I can now have conversations with the people.

Marian Finucane is a broadcaster

Darren Connolly - Japanese

"Mainly because I am working for a Japanese company, the language would be very helpful when communicating with my Japanese colleagues.

"I have found the course to be very informal and tailored to my circumstances and requirements. I had one-to-one classes, and they were easier. I hope to continue learning Japanese so that I can speak it fluently in time. It will be worth the effort.

Darren Connolly is operations manager of Neriki in Ireland