European Language Gazette

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.
https://edl.ecml.at/motivationmanifesto

Find out more about European sign languages – learn 25 words in International Sign and discover and test yourself on recognising country names!
Watch the video and find out more about sign languages here!
(Developed with the support of the ECML’s DeafSign project “Unlocking educational opportunities in sign languages in Europe”)

Unusual place names – from the shortest “Å” in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago and “Ö” in central Sweden to the longest, “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch” in Wales and some of the most intriguing such as “Namlos” (literally “nameless”) in Austria, Europe has an impressive range of fascinating place names. This new website feature seeks to really put them on the map and encourages learners to discover their own!
https://edl.ecml.at/unusualnames

In honour of the European Day of Language’s quarter century, this new poster focuses on birthday traditions around Europe and beyond –  offering a journey through the diverse and intriguing ways different countries celebrate birthdays.
https://edl.ecml.at

This practical kit, based on a concept originally developed by Luxembourg’s Institut National des Langues, is bursting with ideas for activities for this year’s EDL – no teacher should be without one!
https://edl.ecml.at/EDLkit

“Linguine” is a fun, educational board game originally created on a pilot basis to celebrate the 2024 European Day of Languages. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, Linguine offers a game to be played in a deliberately offline format. Taking account of the feedback provided over the past months, an MKII version of the game should be available just in time for EDL in two levels (Sous-chef and Head chef!).
https://edl.ecml.at/edlboardgame

An updated version of the Secret agent’s language challenge app is now available in 31 languages – developed with the support of the EDL National Relays and the European Commission. The app encourages users, aka secret agents, to take on a range of challenges, to rise up through the ranks and eventually become a “master secret agent”. Newly “qualified” agents are able to reward themselves with a certificate testifying to their advanced skills!
https://edl.ecml.at/app

We are suggesting two creative challenges to celebrate this year’s Day of Languages – with an artistic flavour!

European Day of Languages anthem

Help to create (and perform) a multilingual EDL anthem. With the help of AI, we have generated the text of a song in English entitled “Voices of Europe”. We now invite schools, organisations/associations (and individuals!) to make it into a truly multilingual work – either by translating/adapting the text into a language they speak, or to go one step further and develop their own version of the anthem.
For the initiative we invite videos of the anthem being performed and, based on the entries, a multilingual version of the song will be developed. For those who just want try singing the anthem – there is even a karaoke version!
Deadline for entries: 15 October 2025.
https://edl.ecml.at/EDLanthem 

Languages open hearts and minds!

Create a poster illustrating the theme of this year’s European Day of Languages “Languages open hearts and minds!”. You can use artwork, symbols and quotes to reflect how languages involve both emotions and the brain and serve as a vehicle for reaching across linguistic and cultural divides. Send us a photo or pdf of the poster you produce to be showcased on the EDL website. There will be prizes for the top 5 most creative entries and 25 of the posters will proudly decorate the walls of the European Centre for Modern Languages!
Deadline for entries: 15 October 2025.
https://edl.ecml.at/heartsandminds

Designs can already be submitted here for the 2026 EDLt-shirt design contest (with the contest closing on 31 December 2025).
https://edl.ecml.at/TSHIRTCONTEST

The most innovative European Day of Languages’ event competition for 2025 will be open for voting from 20 September to 20 October.
https://edl.ecml.at/edlevents

EDL events calendar

We encourage event organisers to enter details of their activities from all around Europe and indeed the world into the EDL calendar. By doing so, they will also be able to download an official event certificate.
Each day, throughout the month of September, a particularly special event will be showcased on the homepage of the EDL website.

European Commission events

The European Commission also invites you to join in exploring linguistic diversity. A series of over 70 events in all corners of Europe will involve fun, hands-on activities. Among the events there are language festivals, book fairs, language cafés and “speak-dating” sessions, and even language-themed escape games. Whether you are just starting out or already multilingual, there is something for everyone.
Find an event near you.

EDL virtual event

Explore a unique virtual exhibition organised by the European Commission to highlight how the EC supports multilingualism, language learning and language diversity. One of the stands is hosted by the ECML.
Do not miss the roundtable debate “Language skills – your bridge to the jobs of the future”.

• Date and time: 26 September 2025, 9:00-11:30 
• Location: online

On the dedicated EDL Facebook page – there will be a series of posts promoting the Day in the build up to the 26 September.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the European Day of Languages, the ECML and the Language Policy Programme are jointly organising an exhibition and event on language education during the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (29 September – 3 October 2025) in Strasbourg. Themes include collaboration, motivation, inclusion, celebration, and digitalisation, highlighting how language education supports social cohesion and understanding in democratic contexts. It is planned that the exhibition, which is launched in the Palais de l’Europe, will also be offered to member states to host nationally.

Flyer: English – French

News item published on the Council of Europe website

The project aims to create CLIL teaching materials for various language and subject combinations, helping secondary school learners develop 21st-century competences to engage critically with global challenges outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project outputs include CLIL teaching materials, a teacher’s guide introducing key concepts and guiding principles, and templates for educators to develop their own resources.
During the workshop, participants will review and discuss model materials and the draft teacher’s guide, providing feedback to refine both, and later pilot them in their classrooms, sharing their evaluations in writing or video format to inform further improvements.
Project website: English – French – German

This 4-year project investigates the effective and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in language education, exploring how AI can support teachers in lesson planning, material design, and formative assessment while enabling learners to use AI responsibly for more autonomous, high-quality language learning.
Planned project outputs include a multilingual webpage on meaningful AI use in language learning, implementation guidelines, and a Moodle training course offering practical tips for lesson and material design, formative assessment, ethical awareness, and managing issues like plagiarism. During the workshop, the AI Lang team will present draft guidelines, examples, and pilot professional development resources, inviting participants to share their practices and national perspectives to help contextualize and refine the project materials.
Project website: English – French

The Working Conference marks the official launch of the AI Compass for Education, a framework built around four pillars – Literacy, Practice, Evaluation, Regulation and Governance – designed to guide Council of Europe member states and stakeholders in ensuring that AI contributes to human dignity, democratic participation, quality education, and integrity of educational institutions. The event provides a space for policy dialogue, shared learning and forward planning, as well as the design of practical ways for implementing the Compass in national contexts.
On this occasion, ECML experts Aline Rutherford and Jackie Robbins will showcase the work conducted under the ECML-European Commission initiative “Use of ICT in support of language teaching and learning” (ICT-REV) highlighting selected AI-related tools from the ECML’s Inventory of online tools and resources for language teaching and learning  and presenting the ECML project “AI for language education” (2024-27).
Conference web page: English – French

The upcoming ECML-EC colloquium will explore the evolving role of Regional and Minority Languages (RMLs) in secondary education, particularly in the context of demographic shifts and increased immigration. The event will address both the challenges and opportunities that RMLs face in today’s increasingly multilingual classrooms.

Key themes include:

• The impact of immigration on the presence and vitality of RMLs in schools.
• Policy developments and frameworks that support RML integration.
• Effective pedagogical approaches and innovative teaching models adaptable to diverse educational settings.

Objectives include: analysing how immigration influences the use and status of RMLs in education; sharing transferable strategies that promote the sustainability of RMLs; examining the role of RMLs in fostering intercultural understanding and inclusion and raising awareness of RMLs as part of the broader landscape of foreign language education.

Sessions from the event will be broadcast via  livestream (see www.ecml.at/RML2025colloquium).

Call for video testimonials

In preparation for the RML colloquium, we are creating a video compilation featuring personal stories from migrants (from other regions of the country or other countries) who have learned a regional or minority language during their secondary education. The short testimonials focus on how learning an RML has opened up personal or professional opportunities for the individual. If you / your institution would be willing to participate in this initiative, please contact us ([email protected]).
Further details are available at: www.ecml.at/rmlvideos.

The Language for Work team shares proven practices for supporting migrants’ work-related language learning.

• Discover effective approaches for labour market integration.
• Gain practical resources to build sustainable support systems.
• Get tips for integrating subject content with L2 teaching.
• Reflect on your region’s needs and connect with peers across Europe.

Target groups: teachers, learning providers, researchers and policymakers in migrant integration, language education, and workforce development.

Webinar description, recording and presentations in English and French: www.ecml.at/en/Resources/Webinars.

The 4th ECML-EC Summer Academy entitled “Inspiring innovation in European language teacher education” brought together 30 language teacher educators from 28 European countries, along with 8 international experts, in a week of exchange and professional development. The programme addressed key themes such as linguistic and cultural plurality, integration of ECML resources, digital literacy in the age of artificial intelligence, contemporary research approaches, and the identities, values, and competences of language teacher educators. Participants engaged through presentations, interactive discussions, and workshops, while also collaboratively planning sustainable follow-up projects.
Full news item

On 24-25 June 2025, the DECODE project team met with 19 teacher educators, teachers, and researchers from 11 countries at the ECML in Graz to explore how language education can foster competences for democratic culture (CDC) in young learners. Participants discussed the CDC model, shared challenges and best practices, tested a template for CDC teaching materials, and collaborated on creating initial resources, while also highlighting the project’s value through testimonials from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Germany, Ireland, and Sweden. The meeting strengthened collaboration and advanced the development of practical tools to support CDC in classrooms.

Full news item

Project website “Developing competences for democratic culture for young learners through language education” : English – French – German

The DeafSign workshop brought together experts, policymakers, and professionals from 25 countries to advance educational opportunities for deaf learners, including those with refugee or immigrant backgrounds. Building on a Europe-wide survey, participants reviewed key findings, developed guidelines, recommendations, and practical resources for early childhood and adult education, emphasizing the meaningful involvement of deaf-led organisations and deaf experts from the very beginning in developing sign language learning opportunities and assessments for deaf learners.

Full news item

ECML project website “Unlocking educational opportunities in sign languages in Europe”: English – French

The ECML project advanced significantly during its second expert meeting in Graz on 24-25 April 2025, where the team developed and structured the toolkit, designed to support teachers in applying integrated didactic approaches, reviewed content, planned completion by the end of 2025, and began a glossary of key terms. The toolkit is scheduled for testing in March 2026 and has been presented publicly at the EDiLiC conference in Hamburg in July 2025. (More information)

Building on this work, project coordinator Christian Koch led a postgraduate seminar in Brazil, in partnership with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Universidade de São Paulo, engaging 14 Masters and PhD students across nine languages. The seminar explored plurilingual education, structural comparisons of languages, and integrating home languages in migration contexts, while introducing the ECML toolkit and fostering long-term cooperation between Berlin and São Paulo. (More information)

ECML project website “A toolkit for implementing integrated didactics in language education”: English – French

On 26-27 June 2025, the Latvian Language Agency held its annual seminar for teacher trainers, featuring for the second year an ECML-led workshop by experts Katri Kuukka (Finland) and Nermina Wikström (Sweden) on language as a key transversal skill. The focus was the ECML-developed 'ROADMAP for schools to support the language(s) of schooling', a self-assessment tool that engages the whole school community to evaluate strengths and needs in language awareness. Teams from six Latvian schools applied the ROADMAP by exploring perspectives of different stakeholders, gaining insights into how language can better support learning.

Full news item

More than 30 foreign language teachers and students joined this ECML training workshop, which focused on the Framework of Reference for Pluralistic Approaches to Languages and Cultures (FREPA) as a means to foster plurilingual competence. The event showcased how to integrate learners’ full linguistic repertoires, including heritage and migration languages, and introduced the new FREPA database with practical tools and materials to support linguistically responsive teaching in Berlin schools.

Full news item

The workshop brought together educators and teacher trainers who explored pluriliteracies approaches to deepen learning through integrated language and content teaching. The event provided practical strategies to foster learner agency, multimodal meaning-making, and collaboration across disciplines in multilingual classrooms.

Full news item

Austrian school teams from Upper Austria, Salzburg and Burgenland explored the ROADMAP self-assessment tool to strengthen whole-school strategies for language(s) of schooling. With expert guidance, they reflected on development opportunities, planned next steps, and built networks with peers and consultants.

Full news item

The 34th meeting of the ECML Governing Board brought together over 40 participants from member states, the European Commission, and the Council of Europe Education Department. Discussions covered language policy developments, national priorities, the upcoming Regional and Minority Language colloquium, new communication initiatives, the main outputs of the ECML programme 2020-23, developments of its programme 2024-27, as well as training and consultancy activities in member states.

Board members reviewed the draft Motivation Manifesto from the 2024 think tank on motivation, contributed to the OECD PISA Foreign Language Assessment 2033 planning, and elected new Bureau members for 2026-27.

Full news item

The Professional Network Forum of the ECML is comprised of international associations and institutions that share common values and have overlapping expertise in the field of language education and assessment. Under the auspices of the ECML, the members of the Forum share their know-how and work together on areas of common interest in the service of language education.

“We cannot meet today’s challenges with yesterday’s playbook. And we must never forget that democracy is our first line of defence. What Europe needs is a reset: a New Democratic Pact for Europe.”
Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

The annual report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe assesses the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the Organisation’s member states. It is both a diagnostic tool and a reference for shaping the Council of Europe’s priorities and action. Its purpose is to highlight key developments and challenges in the Council of Europe’s member states, support policy formulation and implementation, and encourage reforms where standards fall short.

English – French

New Recommendation CM/Rec (2025)6 on qualifications and linguistic competences of refugees in Europe

On 9 July 2025, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted Recommendation CM/Rec(2025)6 on qualifications and linguistic competences of refugees in Europe. The Recommendation presents a promising step towards a comprehensive approach to recognising and valuing the qualifications and language skills of refugees across Member States. In highlighting the importance of the academic, professional, and linguistic integration, the text also honours the broader contributions of displaced persons to their host countries.

Full news item

Voice of Inclusion: Lessons from the Romani-Plurilingual Policy Experimentation – Closing Conference

The closing conference of the Romani-Plurilingual Policy Experimentation (RPPE), held in Bratislava in June 2025, highlighted how plurilingual and intercultural education can bridge policy and classroom practice by fostering integrated linguistic repertoires and valuing linguistic diversity. Building on the Council of Europe’s Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)1, the project showcased how the Romani language and culture support Roma pupils’ inclusion in Greece, Slovakia and Slovenia, while promoting broader democratic and intercultural competences. Participants reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that all learners see their languages and identities reflected in education, underlining plurilingualism as a cornerstone of inclusive, democratic societies.

Full news item

The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is the European convention for the protection and promotion of languages used by traditional minorities. Together with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities it constitutes the Council of Europe’s commitment to the protection of national minorities.

Recent reports

12th  report of the Secretary General on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Austria: evaluation report, 2 April 2025

Montenegro: mid-term report of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority languages, 20 June 2025

Slovenia: 6^th evaluation report, 11 June 2025

Recent resources

ECRML Newsletter: Regional and Minority Languages | July 2025

Video presenting the Charter’s contribution to the protection of regional or minority languages now available with Albanian, Catalan, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish and Ukrainian subtitles

Presenting the Council of Europe
English – French – German

The Council of Europe, guardian of human rights
Flyer available in 43 languages

When posters speak out – Illustrating the Council of Europe’s Mission
Bilingual English/French

Compilation of promising practices on combating hate speech at national level
English – French

UNESCO’s new report Languages matter: Global guidance on multilingual education highlights the essential role of multilingualism in building inclusive, high-quality education systems. The report cites Council of Europe instruments and showcases ECML initiatives in action, including Finland’s use of the “Roadmap for schools to support the language(s) of schooling” and the ECML-EC joint project “Supporting multilingual classrooms”. By promoting plurilingual and intercultural education, the Council of Europe and its ECML are driving innovation and cohesion across Europe and beyond.

ECML full news item

Country developments

Belgium (Flemish Community): Enhancing Dutch language proficiency in education with a renewed focus

Belgium (German-Speaking Community): Reforming teacher education

Denmark: Agreement on a reform of the professional bachelor education programmes and the academy profession programmes

Finland: English-language option for general upper secondary education launching in 2026

France: The launch of new teaching programmes

Germany: Recommendation for action on the use of artificial intelligence in school education processes

Ireland: New curriculum in early childhood education emphasises creativity and literacy

Italy: A new curriculum for preprimary, primary and lower secondary education by 2026/2027

Latvia: Taking over the presidency of European Schools - emphasising European values and teacher well-being

Montenegro: Education for the future – adopting the Education Reform Strategy 2025-2035

Portugal: 'Learning More Now' Plan for school success and inclusion

Sweden: A ten-year compulsory school

More country news and articles from the Eurydice Network

Recent resources

The structure of European education systems
This webpage is dedicated to showing the structure of education and training systems from pre-primary to tertiary level in the current school/academic year (2025/2026). It covers 39 education systems across 37 countries (members of the Eurydice Network).

Let’s explore Europe!
Target audience: 12-15 year-olds
Available in 26 languages