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European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe

European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe


The ECML is a unique institution whose mission is to encourage excellence and innovation in language teaching and to help Europeans learn languages more efficiently. Our vision: A Europe committed to linguistic and cultural diversity... Find out more about the ECML

www.ecml.at

Upcoming events


3-4

Mar 2026

A toolkit for implementing integrated didactics in language education
Workshop
View details

5-6

Mar 2026

Meeting of the Motivation working group
Expert meeting
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12-13

Mar 2026

91st meeting of the Bureau of the Governing Board
Statutory meeting
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ECML exhibition in Strasbourg

From 29 September to 10 October 2025, the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg hosted the exhibition “Language education at the heart of democracy”, organised by the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) and the Language Policy Programme. Coinciding with the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the exhibition highlighted how language education strengthens democracy, social cohesion, and intercultural understanding.



Recent publications


Rewatch the ECML-EC Colloquium on Regional and minority languages in secondary education 

View details

A Motivation Manifesto

A starting point for learning any language is to have the motivation and commitment to do so! The Motivation Manifesto, developed by a joint ECML-European Commission working group, highlights why language learning is important and how motivation plays such a significant role in the learning process. It also identifies the key actors and factors that influence motivation in the context of language learning.

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Tuesday, 9 September 2025, 16:00 -17:00 (CET - Graz time)

Webinar: Language education for labour market integration – how to help adult migrants develop the language skills they need to succeed at work

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Featured resources

Rethinking language education after the experience of Covid - Final report

Available in English and French

This new publication from April 2023 offers both a timely reflection on the challenges faced and the approaches developed over the course of the pandemic and a look into the future at ways in which the skills and insights gained may bring about beneficial lasting changes in the teaching and learning of languages. 

View publication page

Dedicated webpage

Multilingual glossary
of key terms
in language education

An overview of key terms, definitions and references used in ECML projects since 2012.
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Lara's journey through Europe’s regional and minority languages

In this chapter of her journey, Lara explores the fascinating world of regional and minority languages along with some of Europe’s other linguistic treasures! 

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Latest addition to the ICT-REV inventory

News in Levels (Daily news platform in three different difficulty levels)

News in Levels is a tool that provides daily news articles for students of English. The articles are rewritten at three different levels of difficulty, each corresponding to a different vocabulary range (1000, 2000, and 3000 most common English words, respectively). Each article includes an audio recording for each level, allowing users to practice both reading and listening skills. The articles are short and focused on current world events. The tool is free to use and does not require an account to use. ... View details



ECML Programme

Programme 2024-2027
Language education at the heart of democracy

(2022)1 on the importance of plurilingual and intercultural education for democratic culture provides the overarching framework for the ECML’s 7th medium-term programme, “Language education at the heart of democracy”. This first ever holistic Recommendation, embracing all languages, all sectors and wider society, reinforces the role of quality language education in equipping learners to become autonomous social agents, actively engaged in strengthening our democracies. 

With its unique position at the interface between policy, research, teacher education and classroom practice, the new ECML programme will focus primarily on activities to support and further develop the wellbeing, resilience and competences of all those working in the field, so that they in turn can empower their learners.  In this way, it aims to transform language education into a vibrant force at the core of democratic ideals.

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ECML Conference 13-14 December 2023
Inspiring innovation in language education:
changing contexts, evolving competences

View conference web page

Programme 2020-2023
Inspiring innovation in language education: changing contexts, evolving competences

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ECML resources of the 2020-2023 programme

Pamflet that explains the 6mtp results from each project.

Download output flyer



Co-operation with the European Commission
Innovative methodologies and assessment in language learning
A Co-operation agreement between the European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe and the DG Education and Culture of the European Commission. View details

Summer Academy for teacher educators working in the field of languages

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Colloquium 2025: Multiple voices in the classroom: Harnessing the power of regional and minority languages in secondary education

View the colloquium 2025 page


by clicking onto this link.

View all colloquia


Think tank 2024: Fostering motivation in language education: what role for decision-makers and educators?

More information about this think tank



About the ECML

Member states of the ECML

Map that shows all the 36 member states of the ECML.

Austria: host country of the ECML

Office of the ECML in Graz. Red building with an inner courtyard.

To support the work of the ECML, the host country has established the Austrian Association of the ECML, which operates as the interface between the Council of Europe and the Austrian authorities.

Visiting the ECML
We'd be happy to welcome you to the Centre! View details

ECML documents

Brochure

ECML main brochure. The cover shows the Schlossberg, a castle in Graz, Austria.
English

French

25th Anniversary declaration

"Quality language education for a democratic, socially cohesive and peaceful Europe: nine ECML cornerstones" 
Available in many languages

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Professional Network Forum

The Professional Network Forum is formed of international associations and institutions that share common values and have overlapping expertise in the field of language education and assessment. Read more


Logos of all the organizations in the network.