Search
en  fr  de
EN
FR
DE
  1. Home
  2.  > 
    EC Cooperation
  3.  > 
    Colloquium 2025: Regional and Minority Languages

ECML-EC Colloquium, Graz 4 December 2025
‘Multiple voices in the classroom: Harnessing the power of regional and minority languages in secondary education’


 


Overview


Speakers/presentations
and moderators


Photos and videos
from the event

The colloquium explores the impact of demographic changes on the vitality of Regional and Minority Languages (RMLs) and their role in secondary education in contexts where Regional and minority languages (RMLs) are prevalent. It also examines how evolving policy frameworks are expected to shape RML instruction and investigates the factors likely to motivate newcomers to learn these languages. Focusing on secondary education, the event addresses the challenges RMLs are facing in increasingly multilingual classrooms, highlighting promising pedagogical practices. Innovative teaching models to support RML learning which are potentially transferable/adaptable to other contexts are showcased. Additionally, video testimonies illustrate the potential benefits students may gain from learning an RML at the secondary level.

The colloquium takes place against the backdrop of the 2022 Council of Europe Recommendation on the importance of plurilingual and intercultural education for democratic culture and draws upon the Council’s expertise on RMLs. The event takes full account of the work already conducted both by the Council and the European Commission in this area, as well as the concerns expressed within the Minority Safepack initiative with regard to the sharing of good practice among European educational systems.

The event builds upon the experience of the 2023 colloquium “Regional and minority languages within a plurilingual context” and involves 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.

www.ecml.at/RML2025colloquium

As part of the preparations for the Colloquium a short video compilation was created featuring personal stories from migrants (from other regions of the country or other countries) who learned a regional or minority language (RML) during their education. 

The purpose of the video is to showcase real-life experiences and highlight how learning an RML has positively impacted individuals – personally, socially, and professionally. These voices will help bring the colloquium’s theme to life and promote inclusive, plurilingual education.

We continue to look for potential video contributions for the Centre's ongoing work in this area in 2026-28. Please contact us if you would like to support this initiative ([email protected]) !

Send us your video!


Colloquium objectives

  • To explore how immigration impacts regional and minority languages in secondary education.
  • To discuss policies, pedagogical strategies, and best practices/case studies which allow RMLs to flourish within multilingual classrooms and are transferable to different contexts.
  • To raise awareness of promotional approaches used for RMLs ‘competing for space’ in the classroom – as an example to other foreign languages.
  • To examine the role of minority languages in fostering cultural identity and social cohesion.

Target audience

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

Format

  • Keynote speeches by experts in linguistics, education, and migration
  • Case study presentations showcasing successful initiatives
  • Group discussions of participants sharing their own experiences
  • Panel discussions featuring educators, researchers, policymakers and associations
  • Networking opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing

The one-day event also seeks to:

  • bring together expertise on the topic of the colloquium from a wide range of European contexts;
  • highlight current actions related to RMLs at the level of secondary education and share particular examples of interesting educational practice which are potentially transferable/adaptable to other contexts;
  • promote cooperation and synergies where possible among stakeholders;
  • showcase existing research and materials related to RMLs;
  • strengthen RML networks among stakeholders;
  • identify pedagogical needs of the RML professional community at secondary level, with a view to developing further action at an international level in the form of a project and/or research on issues of key concern.