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UQ School of Languages and Cultures Launches Annual French Language Legacy Award
An opportunity for French students to engage in a range of experiences including studying abroad, virtual mobility, conferences and internships.
The University of Queensland School of Languages and Cultures’ French stream is launching the annual French Language Legacy Award. The award supports French students to engage in a range of enriching experiences including studying abroad, virtual mobility, conferences and internships.
French studies occupy a special place in UQ as an immersive discipline with a close-knit community, attracting passionate individuals who are keen to experience an expansive view of the world through the study of the French language, its speakers, and their cultures. Many former French students say that their French studies and associated experiences have changed their lives for the better and that they themselves have had a positive impact on their world.
Miss Dorothy Marsden (1919-2020) who was a UQ graduate and French teacher at Ipswich Girls Grammar School for 42 years, bequeathed $5,000 to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This gracious gift was the seed funding for the award.
The award celebrates the study of French by honouring the stories and generous spirit of those who have made a legacy in French education. This is achieved by encouraging people to donate to the prize in honour of someone who has had an influence on them and their relationship with French.
The UQ French team donated in honour of UQ scholar Emily John (1978-2019), whose commitment, drive and passion shone in Shakespeare workshops in Montpellier, humanitarian work in Togo and French teaching in Longreach. UQ staff hope that the donation will ensure talented French students are afforded these much-needed opportunities well into the future.
Likewise, the French Teachers Branch of the Modern Language Teachers Association of Queensland (MLTAQ) made a generous contribution of $5,000 with a view to promote and facilitate a range of student-centred activities that foster high standards of French learning.
Established in honour of influential French mentors and teachers, the French Language Legacy Award will provide transformative experiences for new generations of French students.
President of the French Teachers Branch of the Modern Language Teachers Association of Queensland (MLTAQ), Erin Peters highlights the importance of fostering language learning.
"Studying French gives students a global outlook and the opportunity to develop a lot of skills, particularly empathy, they may not get in other areas. This Prize is a fantastic opportunity to enable real-world experiences for students to enrich their French language skills, which is ultimately essential to this discipline".
To support the establishment and perpetuity of the award, the UQ School of Languages and Cultures aims to increase the number of the Award sponsors and seeks contributions from willing donors.
