Cooperation with the European Commission
Innovative methodologies and assessment in language learning

UNESCO’s recent publication Languages matter: Global guidance on multilingual education underlines how vital multilingualism is in building inclusive and effective education systems worldwide - and Europe features prominently!

Key European highlights from the report:

• References Council of Europe instruments such as the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
• Spotlights practical Council of Europe resources supporting plurilingual education.

ECML’s impact in practice:

• Finland is showcased for using the ECML’s “Roadmap for schools to support the language(s) of schooling”.
• The ECML’s and EC’s joint initiative on “Supporting multilingual classrooms” is highlighted for its training and capacity-building across Europe, aligned with the 2022 Council of Europe Recommendation on plurilingual and intercultural education.
• This ECML resource also features among recommended tools for inclusive teaching approaches.

Multilingualism isn’t just an asset - it’s essential for quality education and social cohesion. And the Council of Europe and its ECML play a key role in advancing this European/global agenda!

References:

Unesco (2025), Languages matter: global guidance on multilingual education, pp. 36, 50, 67, 78, 80, 84, 95, 96, 97, https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000392477.

Unesco (2025), Les langues comptent : orientations mondiales pour l’éducation multilingue, pp. 38, 52, 69, 80, 82, 86, 98, 99, 100,  https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000392809.

Local organiser: Denisa Ďuranová, National Institute of Education and Youth

ECML experts: Terry Lamb (United Kingdom), Mercè Bernaus (Spain)

Participants: 14 (teacher educators, policymakers, curriculum writers, school administrators/leaders, state school inspector)

The workshop Supporting Multilingual Classrooms was held in Bratislava on 29 and 30 May 2025, organized by the National Institute of Education and Youth in the Slovak Republic (hereinafter NIVaM) and European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe (ECML). The workshop is carried out within the framework of the  Innovative Methodologies and Assessment in Language Learning  cooperation agreement between the ECML and European Commission.

The event was facilitated by the ECML experts –Terry Lamb, University of Westminster  and Mercedes Bernaus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, who provided participants with a wealth of practical knowledge and strategies for working in linguistically diverse classrooms.

During the introductory part, the facilitators focused on valuing attitudes towards diversity, analysing the language environment of the school and re-evaluating traditional approaches. At the same time, there was a discussion on supporting teacher self-confidence and ways to involve students’ language repertoire in teaching. One of the participants reflected: “I strongly identify with the concept of individual language repertoire, which is an integral part of our identity. As it has been said – if we ignore the languages of the learners, we ignore the children themselves. The workshop offered a range of inspiring, holistic and practical advice and strategies.”

The programme also included group work focusing on project proposals to be implemented by the participants in their practice. Each group presented their proposals and received valuable feedback. The participants appreciated the practical nature of the workshop: “Many useful activities were presented, I left with a positive feeling,” said one of the participants. Another added: “It was very useful to receive examples of materials and projects that help raise awareness among teachers, pupils and parents about the importance of respecting learner’s language needs.”

An important workshop objective was also to provide a space for networking and further collaboration between the participants from various organisations.

From February - December 2025, Supporting Multilingual Classrooms  is organising national workshops in cooperation with national institutions in six countries: Armenia, Cyprus, Croatia, Portugal, Slovak Republic, and Spain. For the Slovak Republic, this was the fifth time this initiative has been carried out. The Slovak Republic has demonstrated a particularly innovative approach, organising the first joint international initiative between two countries in 2023, which has become an example of good practice.  This year’s workshop debuted a specially designed module for teacher educators, adapted to the Slovak context.

Denisa Ďuranová, local organiser, 25 June 2025

ECML project website: Supporting multilingual classrooms, ECML-EC cooperation agreement 2025 "Innovative methodologies and assessment in language learning"

ECML-EC colloquium:

‘Multiple voices in the classroom: Harnessing the power of regional and minority languages in secondary education’

The colloquium, taking place at the ECML in Graz on 4 December, will explore the impact of demographic changes on the vitality of Regional and Minority Languages (RMLs) and their role in secondary education, examine how evolving policy frameworks are expected to shape RML instruction and investigate the factors likely to motivate newcomers to learn these languages.

The event will also address the challenges RMLs are facing at secondary level in increasingly multilingual classrooms, highlighting promising pedagogical practices. Innovative teaching models to support RML learning which are potentially transferable/adaptable to other contexts will be showcased. A series of video testimonies are planned to illustrate the potential benefits students may gain from learning an RML at secondary level.

The one-day event will seek to build upon the experience of the 2023 colloquium “Regional and minority languages within a plurilingual context” and will involve nominated representatives from the 38 member states of the ECML and the European Union, as well as key networks and associations active in this area.

Target audience:

• Educators and school administrators (secondary level)
• Language policy makers
• Linguists and researchers
• Community leaders and NGOs
• National and Regional Government representatives

If you are interested in applying to participate, please contact your National Nominating Authority: https://www.ecml.at/en/About-us/National-Nominating-Authorities.

For further information see the colloquium website : www.ecml.at/RML2025colloquium