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The 10 projects within the Languages at the heart of learning programme have developed a plethora of new resources and interactive tools to help professionals implement quality language education. Based on themes that were identified as priorities by the ECML member states, they cover the areas of action research, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and quality assurance, the language(s) of schooling, language in subjects, digital literacy, early language learning, adult migrants, learning environments, sign languages, teachers' competences.
Each project has produced a series of practical web-based materials. They come in a variety of formats: such as guides/guidelines for teachers (two examples are the Quick guide on How to help adult migrants develop work-related language skills and an assessment guide for classroom based testing in sign language), others are interactive survey based tools for self-evaluation (such as the Roadmap survey tool to help schools to support the language(s) of schooling) or training courses for teachers – for example a Moodle platform focusing on Digital literacy for the teaching and learning of languages. Many of the dedicated websites include videos, quizzes and games which can be used for different audiences. The Inspiring language learning in the early years project has, for instance, produced a ‘Myth or fact’ quiz about language learning for young learners - which can be used, among others, to convince parents of the value of starting early with languages.
The outputs of the projects build upon the rich body of work of the Council of Europe in language education and have involved practitioners from all the member states of the ECML, who have been able to contribute to their development and/or have piloted the results in their different countries. As such, they are all developed taking contexts in several countries into account.
The 10 resource websites are currently still in the course of being finalised and will be launched by early 2020. So, very soon we will invite you, as language teachers, trainers, head teachers, decision-makers, researchers, learning service providers, curriculum developers, administrators, school inspectors – to make use of and take inspiration from the many jewels within this treasure trove.
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