Language teaching and learning strategies for understanding and communication

European Year of Languages 2001 (AEL 2001)

Europe, after Brussels, for the European Commission and Strasbourg for the European Council

The 2001 challenge is that of daring to communicate in a foreign language. The European Year of Languages 2001 is the opportunity to celebrate the European linguistic diversity and insist on the interest of intensifying and diversifying the language teaching throughout life, so that all Europeans may face the challenge of having an increasingly interactive multilingual and multicultural continent. It will call the attention upon the role of learning languages in order to promote mutual understanding and tolerance, and respecting the identities of the cultural diversity. It will also underline the importance of the linguistic competence within an active participation in the European democratic processes, as well as for employment and mobility in Europe.
Several projects of all kinds are carried out in one or various European countries, such as the signing of treaties, price reductions, clubs openings, special courses in schools, special days, linguistic activities in the city neighborhoods, net exchanges, etc.

In each country, regional and national coordinators are appointed. They are in charge of the adequate carrying out of the activities planned ahead of time during the year in their countries and the exchanges with other countries. There is also a European coordination.

This project has been launched so as to motivate, inform and promote European people's participation in the issue of languages. The AEL 2001 will allow, likewise, the reassembling and spreading out of examples of good practice concerning the teaching (and/or learning) of languages, make efficient methods known, and favor the use of new technologies in the service of the learning of languages and cultures.

European countries
European Commission
Kerstin Ringler, Education and Culture DG
Brussels
E-mail: Kerstin.ringler@cec.eu.int

European Council
Modern Languages Division
Strasbourg
E-mail: Decs.lang@coe.int / Alida Matkovic: alida.matkovic@coe.int

In collaboration with UNESCO

Year 2001