Language at the Heart of Learning

The European Center for Modern Languages (ECML) welcome your contributions to an online consultation. From these online consultations, ECML will identify 16 experts which will form two think tanks to address topics of great importance across Europe and beyond.

As language is at the root to all learning, there will be no quality education without quality language and intercultural education. All teachers, at all levels, have an important part to play in building their learners' linguistic and intercultural repertoires. This is why the EMCL's new programme is entitled "Languages at the heart of learning"

The programme is structured around two key work strands; Development (to create new solutions to the challenges in language education identified by our member states) and Mediation (to support the adaptation and use of existing ECML resources and expertise). Within the Development of strand two think tanks will be created in 2016 to address topics of great importance across Europe and beyond. These think tanks will meet in Graz as follows on the following dates;

  1. The language of schooling: 13th and 14th September 2016
  2. Early language learning: 1st and 2nd December 2016.

The purpose of the think tanks will be to capture information on issues and challenges as well as examples of good, replicable practice. Moreover, the think tanks will make specific recommendations as to how the ECML should support its member states in relation to these two fields within the current programme.

Each of the think tanks will include around 16 experts. The online consultations will help identify these experts. The selection will be based primarily on the quality of the contribution to the onine consultation but also on recommendations from Governing Board members, breath of roles/ experiences as well as range of countries represented. 

If you would like to be considered for inclusion in either of the think tanks, make sure you respond to the online consultation questions by 29th May. The relevant experts will be contacted in July. Given the volume of participants in the online consultations, feedback will not be provided.

Click here to take part in the online consultation.