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How will you celebrate the next European Day of Languages (EDL)?
| The European Day of Languages (EDL), a Council of Europe initiative held annually on 26 September, is now established across the continent as an opportunity to celebrate language learning and the diversity and enrichment that languages bring to our lives. Since it falls in early autumn, it is an ideal way to start the school year with new experiences for all children regardless of their ability. |
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This clip looks at the impact of EDL on a school which has incorporated it into its calendar. This school is celebrating EDL for the fourth year running and all the activities, executed collaboratively in a real, whole school effort, strengthen the ethos of the school and the position of languages within it. The school uses EDL as the starting point for of all its language teaching for the year.
Points to consider
- What resources might be required? Remember that CILT makes resources available to anyone interested in marking EDL. See the CILT website for further details.
- What pre-planning might be necessary?
- Don’t forget to let your local authority and the local media know what you are planning, and tell CILT by inputting your event on the database
- Take lots of photos and videos and share your experiences with others.
Intercultural Understanding
The Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages gives Intercultural Understanding (IU) equal prominence with Oracy and Literacy. EDL provides an ideal opportunity for schools to promote IU and celebrate the linguistic diversity not just of Europe, but also of the school family. Schools in a mono-cultural community have as much reason as those with children from different backgrounds to celebrate. Some children are reluctant to own up to speaking a different language even when encouraged to do so, but a shared celebration, involving parents and the community, emphasises that language is a fundamental part of who we are.
Parental Involvement
EDL is also a good way of bringing in parents and enlisting their support for the teaching of languages in the school. Parents who speak different languages may be invited in to give children a taster lesson. It shows children that not everyone speaks English and that speaking a language unlocks doors. This primary school is celebrating EDL for the fourth time. It is doing so in the knowledge that children are deeply affected by it: they talk about it long after it has past and save the stickers and badges that they receive for their participation in over seventy language activities. |
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Enthusiasm
A celebration of language can also show teachers possibilities for curricular activities that might not have occurred to them. Have a look at some of the individual activities from the featured EDL celebration on the Primary Languages website:
The evidence from schools who arrange a language celebration is that children are enthusiastic participants in all activities and that teachers are inspired to join in, whatever their linguistic competence.
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