"I particularly enjoyed deciphering the Chinese and Japanese puzzles. It created a challenge to understand the characters but this was also incredibly rewarding to feel that I could understand these different complex languages. I really feel that these activities assist me in how I approach learning languages. They help create a newfound understanding of how languages work."

Clodagh Herron Rice, St Josephs Secondary School, Navan

"I believe studying languages is an exciting and interesting task, studying how they are formed is really challenging. I am considering studying a degree in languages and linguistics in the University of Limerick."

Conor Costelloe, Coláiste Chiarain, Croom, Co. Limerick

"We really enjoyed the question in last year's competition based on the Korean language. We found it very interesting to figure out the basics of the language through our own logic. We never really expected that we would be able to do something like that."

Steven Carey and Athru Cheung, St Kilians Deutsche Schule, Clonskeagh, Dublin

"I found the puzzles challenging but worthwhile. Unknown languages make sense when you think about them. I especially liked the Egyptian question - it was so cool, I felt transported back in time."

Bessie Pilinci, Presentation Secondary School, Thurles

"Question 1 of the AILO first round in 2010 was the first linguistics problem I had ever done. A year later the passion awakened in me is so great that I am currently looking into studying linguistics at university."

Imogen Grumley Traynor, St Kilians Deutsche Schule, Clonskeagh, Dublin

What Teachers Say

"We feel that languages are an essential part of our students' personal and cultural development."

Sara Martinez, Coláiste Chairan, Croom, Limerick

"As a school we now have 2 after school linguistic clubs running. One for senior students with 15 participants and a new iniative for first year students with 8 students taking part. It's a really enjoyable activity for them. Many thanks for the organisation."

Elizabeth O Brien, St Kilian's Deutsche Schule, Clonskeagh, Dublin