Welcome to the European Language Gazette!

Dear readers,

Welcome to the first issue of a newly designed Gazette. This more concise format will help us to communicate on a more frequent and targeted way with the language education community.

In this edition of the newsletter:

1. European Day of Languages 2013
2. ECML programme 2012-2015: latest developments
3. Cooperation
4. Social media
5. Resources
6. Council of Europe developments related to languages
7. European Wergeland Centre (EWC): Share & Connect
8. Quick links

European Day of Languages 2013

The European Day of Languages is for Everybody!
www.coe.int/edl

On the 2013 Day of Languages, we would like to inform you of some of the many new developments this year. Hundreds, if not thousands, of creative and innovative activities are taking place around the continent in and around the 26 September. Over 500 events are currently registered in the EDL calendar and Austria is set to host its 1000th ever EDL event. In fact, the Day has gone well beyond the borders of Europe and this year is also celebrated through activities taking place in every one of the world’s continents (with events in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates to name but a few). In the Council of Europe statement, Ólöf Ólafsdóttir, the Council of Europe’s Director of Democratic Citizenship and Participation, describes the Day as “an occasion to celebrate all languages present in Europe, also those with non-European origins used on a daily basis around the continent. With some 225 indigenous languages in Europe and between 6000-7000 languages spoken around the world, the Day is a reminder of the many benefits of language learning, not least to further develop cognitive competences, break down cultural barriers and open the door to new friendships and professional opportunities.”

Both the European Commission and the Council of Europe support the European Day of Languages. Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, stated that: "The European Day of Languages is the day when we celebrate Europe's linguistic diversity and the benefits of language learning. We stand for both because linguistic diversity is a fundamental part of our European cultural identity – and the ability to speak different languages is a passport to a world of opportunities". (http://ec.europa.eu/languages/news/20130919_en.htm)

What is new?

• The EDL website is now in 25 languages: : Albanian, Armenian, Bosnian, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, English, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian, Luxembourgish, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish.
• New fun and games: we have introduced a new range of games and activities which anyone can play or contribute to:

• ‘Animal sounds’ (postcards with animal motifs and sounds in a range of languages);
• ‘Unique words’ (to a particular language);
• ‘Palindromes’ (words and sentences that read the same backwards);
• ‘Longest words’ in languages;
• ‘Tongue twisters’ (that are difficult for native speakers and learners alike!);
• ‘ Idioms of the world’ (often using very different metaphors to express the same concept);
• ‘Brain games’: based on cyrillic and latin characters
• ‘Celebrities speaking languages’ (discovering that their favourite film star is fluent in a foreign language might just be the motivation a child needs to develop a passion for language learning!)

• Vote for this year’s most innovative event ! Anyone visiting the website can vote for what they regard as the most innovative EDL event for 2013. This can be due to its creativity, transferability or just because it truly represents the spirit of the Day. There will be a small prize for the organizer of the event which receives the most votes. Voting is simple - just click on the ‘thumbs up’ icon  beside your chosen event. Voting is now open for one month  from 20 September – 20 October. The winner will be announced in November (see: edl.ecml.at/edlcalendar).
• EDL on Facebook – in addition to the Facebook group on the European Day of Languages on the ECML Facebook page (facebook.com/ecml.celv) there will be a series of posts on and around the Day,  presenting the new features on the EDL website.

Some useful addresses to resources on the website

• EDL Calendar of activities: find out what is going on around Europe and the world on the EDL from “ Le lingue della nostra scuola” to “Language Village 2013”, “ Das kunterbunte Sprachenfrühstück” to “Lange Nacht der Sprachen” and “My language -my love, your language - my pleasure” there is an event for everyone at some time of the day or night!
• The Council of Europe EDL video clip featured on the main page of the website
• Assess your own language skills: The 'Self-evaluate your language skills' game helps you to assess your level of proficiency in the languages you know according to six reference levels defined within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• Language facts : discover some interesting facts and figures relating to Europe’s languages
• Frequently Asked Questions section on sign languages
• Language Quiz: newly developed quiz to test your knowledge on languages
• ‘Talk to me’ game: identify which language is spoken in which countries
• ‘Hello’ in 40 (or more) languages (audio file)
• Language treasures: a list of words from different languages, submitted by visitors which no translation can do justice to
• Teachshare: shared teaching materials and resources related to the European Day of Languages

Special EDL event of the Graz Language Network

The Graz Language Network (Sprachennetzwek Graz) brings together leading  institutions in the field of languages - with the European Centre for Modern Languages at the core of the network. The partners within the Network will celebrate together the European Day of Languages in Graz on the 'Island in the river Mur' on 26 September. The event is aimed at a non-expert broader public and seeks to motivate everyone to take an interest in languages - the motto of the event being 'Talk to me'. All partners within the Language Network are committed to plurilingualism and measures to support it's development

The event also represents an opportunity to make visitors aware of the fact that the European Day is coordinated in Europe- and even world-wide by the European Centre for Modern Languages and that also the Austrian partner for the Day has its seat in this city, thus underlining the wealth of language competence that Graz can boast which is also reflected in the Graz Language Network (www.sprachennetzwerkgraz.at).

"Sprachenfest auf der Murinsel": Programme - Flyer (German)

ECML programme 2012-2015:
latest developments

ECML workshops 2013 in Graz

Signed languages for professional purposes (Pro-Sign), 15-17 April 2013

• Article on the workshop published in the Polish journal for language education 'Języki Obce w Szkole'
• Video statements of the workshop participants on the ECML's Facebook page and on Youtube
• Forthcoming project events 2013-2015
• Project website

Language descriptors for migrant and minority learners' success in compulsory education' (Language descriptors), 7-8 March 2013
News item on the workshop
Project website

Diversity in majority language learning- Supporting teacher education (MALEDIVE),
14-15 February 2013
More information on the event
Project website

Forthcoming ECML workshops

Languages in corporate quality (LINCQ), 21-22 November 2013

European portfolio for student teachers of pre-primary education (Préélémentaire), 12-13 December 2013

ECML training and consultancy for member states

This activity format launched in 2012 is intended to respond to the needs of the Centre's member states requesting support for developments in language education, in particular in language assessment. The format and content of these activities is shaped to meet local needs and expectations. To date activities within the scheme are offered in five areas: on-line technology for lifelong language education; testing and assessment in language education; education of young migrants and the language of schooling; education of adult migrants; plurilingual education.

More information on ECML training and consultancy events and how to request these activities

Cooperation

Agreement between the ECML and the European Commission

In May 2013 the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe and the European Commission Directorate-General for Education and Culture signed a contribution agreement on 'Innovative methodologies and assessment in language learning'. This joint management agreement covers a period of 12 months. The action will include two initiatives:
- ICT tools for language teaching and learning: This will aim at identifying the most efficient and accessible ICT tools available in support of language teaching and learning;
- Linking language exams to the CEFR levels: The second initiative will focus on the ways and means of incorporating the levels of competence of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the examinations taken at national level and will help educational authorities to relate language examinations to the levels of proficiency defined in the CEFR.

Website: English - French

Partnership with Moscow State Linguistic University

In April 2013 the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe and the Moscow State Linguistic University signed a partnership agreement which represents the first of its kind for the ECML and a formal way of increasing expert contacts between the ECML and MSLU. The cooperation will focus in particular on two ECML projects:
- Signed languages for professional purposes (PRO-Sign): The project will establish European standards for signed language proficiency for professional purposes, focusing specifically on sign language teaching in Deaf Studies and Sign Language Interpreting programmes.
- Developing migrants' language competences at work (Language for Work): This project will create a European network for professional development of teachers of migrant workers learning the majority language. It will produce a web-based resource centre for languages in the workplace, which comprises a toolkit of practical resources for planning language training provision, with examples of good practice and quality criteria and samples of teaching materials.

The INGO Professional Network Forum on language education – Key issues in  language education today

Report of the 4th annual meeting (Graz on 7 February 2013): English only
Updated flyer: English - French
Web pages relating to the Professional Network Forum

Social media

The ECML now has its own Facebook page and Twitter feed!
Join us on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you will not only find news and updates on our ECML activities, projects and publications, but also news from the Centre's partners and other leading organisations in the field of language education, as well as a selection of articles in different languages about language education. So please 'Like' and 'Follow us' by clicking the links above and feel free to leave comments and share!

Resources

Latest ECML publications

2012 Annual Report of the ECML:
Executive/PR version

Bernaus, Mercèdes et al., Plurilinguisme et pluriculturalisme dans l'enseignement d'une matière – Kit de formation, 2012
Also available in English

Candelier, Michel et al., CARAP – FREPA – A framework of reference for pluralistic approaches to languages and cultures, 2012
Also available in French and Italian

Cortier, Claude, Cavalli, Marisa et al., Langues régionales/minoritaires dans l'éducation bi-/plurilingue – Langues d'ici, langues d'ailleurs, 2012 (French only)

Fischer, Johann et al., Evaluer par les tâches les langues à fins spécifiques à l'université: un guide, 2012
Also available in English

Full list of publications edited by the ECML, partner organisations and other leading organisations

Latest web developments

Articles and publications on the ECML: new web section.

Council of Europe developments related to languages

Recommandation

Council of Europe Recommendation on ensuring quality education (12 December 2012)

European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Council of Europe publishes report on regional or minority languages in the Slovak Republic

The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has made public the third evaluation report on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in the Slovak Republic. It entered into force in the Slovak Republic in 2002. The report has been drawn up by a committee of independent experts, which monitors the application of the Charter. On the basis of this report, the Council of Europe calls on the Slovak Republic to review the legislation so that minority languages are used in administration even if the persons belonging to a national minority represent less than 20% of the population. The Slovak authorities are also called upon to develop further minority language education and to improve the training of teachers for this field. Furthermore, Romani should be taught on a large scale and measures be pursued to abolish the unjustified enrolments of Roma children in separate schools or classes. The Slovak authorities are further requested to take steps so that more public radio and television programmes are broadcast in the minority languages. The Council of Europe also calls on the Slovak authorities to promote in the Slovak society awareness and tolerance in regard of all minority languages in the country.

Council of Europe publishes report on regional or minority languages in the Czech Republic

The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has made public the second evaluation report on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in the Czech Republic. It entered into force in the Czech Republic in 2007. The report has been drawn up by a committee of independent experts, which monitors the application of the Charter. On the basis of this report, the Council of Europe calls on the Czech Republic to adopt a strategy for the protection and promotion of German, to encourage its use in public life and to provide teaching in or of this language. The same measures are recommended for Romani. The Czech authorities are further requested to improve the legal framework relevant for minority language education and for the display of bilingual place-name signs. The Council of Europe also calls on the Czech authorities to pursue their efforts to promote awareness and tolerance in regard of all minority languages in the country, as well as to ensure that the Romani-speaking children are not prohibited or discouraged to speak their language at school.

Download the reports

European Wergeland Centre (EWC): Share & Connect

The European Wergeland Centre (EWC) is a resource centre for teachers, teacher trainers, researchers, policy makers and others in the field of education for democratic citizenship, human rights and intercultural understanding. EWC is a privileged partner of the Council of Europe with a mission to build bridges between policy, research and practice.

The EWC offers several free online services and resources. EWC is proud to offer the new online platform Share & Connect, an online community of practice for educators and others promoting education for democratic citizenship, human rights and intercultural understanding. Share & Connect provides networking facilities and opportunities for individuals and organizations to cooperate on projects and share resources, events, news, calls and more - all in one place and free for all.

A growing number of organisations working in the field of democratic citizenship, human rights and intercultural understanding use Share & Connect along with more than 900 members.

Visit Share & Connect to take part!

Quick links

All issues of the European Language Gazette
European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML)
Calendar of activities 2013
ECML online publications
Language Policy Unit
Pestalozzi Programme
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Council of Europe
Experts Database
International Events Calendar