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The future of language education in the light of Covid
Lessons learned and ways forward

The initiative explores how the Covid pandemic affected language education in Europe and looks at ways in which the experience, skills and insights gained may bring about beneficial lasting changes in the teaching and learning of languages.
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Rethinking language education after the experience of Covid - Final report

As an Enlarged Partial Agreement of the Council of Europe situated at the interface between policy, teacher education and classroom practice and in constant dialogue with ministries, national networks, individual experts and NGOs across Europe and beyond, the ECML is in a unique position to develop innovative, research-informed responses to challenges in language education. One such challenge, whose repercussions will continue for years to come, was the Covid pandemic; one such response is this publication, the final output of the initiative “Language education in the light of Covid: lessons learned and ways forward”. 

The brainchild of Eaquals, one of the 16 member institutions of the ECML’s Professional Network Forum which brings together INGOs with common values and complementary expertise, and co-funded through the ECML’s Cooperation Agreement with the European Commission, this initiative is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when we work together in the service of quality language education. 

“Rethinking language education after the experience of Covid” offers not only a timely reflection on the challenges faced and the approaches developed over the course of the pandemic but 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. 

The Policy Guidelines contained within the publication, and also available as a stand-alone document, arise from research and consultation activities carried out in 2021 and 2022 and are intended to assist and provide food for thought for policy makers in education authorities in Council of Europe member states, as well as those at institutional level responsible for overseeing and managing language education and the provision of teacher education for future and practising language teachers.

Download in English and French

From crisis to sustainability: policy guidelines on supporting the development of language education

Excerpt from the publication “Rethinking language education after the experience of Covid”

The Policy Guidelines below are based on the educational insights gained from surveys of language teachers and language learners about their experiences during the Covid pandemic reported on in Part 1 of the publication Rethinking language education after the experience of Covid. They arise from research and consultation activities carried out in 2021 and 2022 under the auspices of the ECML and members of its Professional Network Forum as part of the Future of language education in the light of Covid initiative.  

The Guidelines are intended to assist and provide food for thought for policy makers in education authorities in Council of Europe member states. They are also relevant for those at institutional level responsible for overseeing and managing language education and the provision of teacher education for future and practising language teachers.

Download the guidelines