This publication celebrates a momentous stage in the history of the European Centre for Modern Languages: its 25th anniversary. Its central aims are to review and showcase the achievements of the ECML, as reflected in its many projects and publications, and to put its achievements in the context of the broader work of the Council of Europe, which this year celebrates its 70th anniversary. It includes contributions from international experts working at the cutting edge of language education as well as stakeholders responsible for supporting and implementing the outcomes of ECML projects.

The publication is divided into four sections:

Section A: Milestones in inspiring innovation provides a detailed account of the development of the ECML over its first 25 years, and indicates how its activities are located within the work of Council of Europe as a whole and work in tandem with it. Further it charts how the nature of its projects is continually changing to keep step with ongoing societal changes in which language education is embedded.

Section B: Evolving competences provides a discussion of the nine thematic areas which are at the core of the work of the ECML. The authors, each of whom has considerable experience of co-ordinating ECML projects, provide a state-of-the-art discussion of key issues in the respective areas and outline how the work of the ECML has contributed to the development of the theme and to making important aspects accessible to language learners and teachers. They also outline possible directions for future development.

Section C: Impact and networks considers, on the one hand, how the work of the ECML has impacted on language education in member states, and on the other, how Europe-wide co-operation and partnerships between the ECML and other political and professional bodies have enhanced work in this field and optimised common resources. In addition, representatives of member states provide concrete examples of how the work of the ECML has influenced language education in their country.

In the Conclusion, 25 years of success: a solid base for the future, the Executive Director of the ECML adds a future perspective to the success story of the Centre by providing a preview of the new programme to be launched in 2020 and discussing how the enduring underlying principles of the Council of Europe will be channelled into innovative directions.

Target group(s): teachersteacher educatorsdecision-makers

Publication year: 2019

Author(s): Marisa Cavalli, Frank Heyworth, David Newby

Promotional documents:
Flyer (EN)
Dépliant (FR)

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Resources