Language Policies for a Multilingual and Multicultural Europe’ (1997-2000)

The orientations of this medium term project took into account the priorities of the Council of Europe, in particular the follow-up to the Second Summit of the Council of Europe held in October 1997.
Activities aimed at helping national authorities to promote plurilingualism and pluriculturalism and increase public awareness of the part played by languages in forging a European identity; this objective was realised by the preparation of the European Year of Languages 2001.
Approaches and strategies were developed to foster further the diversification of language learning and teaching, which was promoted from the very start of schooling, to make every pupil aware of Europe's linguistic and cultural diversity; several countries have consequently modified their programmes accordingly.
Common European reference instruments for the planning and assessment of language learning, mutual recognition of qualifications and co-ordination of policies were developed and implemented further.
The European Year of Languages2001 closed this project with the offical launch of the Common European Framework of Reference and of the European Language Portfolio. More...