Some of the instruments produced within the Council of Europe have played a decisive role in the teaching of so-called “foreign” languages by promoting methodological innovations and new approaches to designing teaching programmes. They have facilitated a fresh approach to communicating these teaching methods in a manner potentially more conducive to operational appropriation of unknown languages and therefore to “freedom of movement of persons and ideas”. Accordingly, from around the mid-1970s onwards, specialists worked out an operational model for abilities which specific groups of learners (tourists, businesspersons, migrants, etc) require for using a language for independent communication in a country in which this language is the everyday medium for communication. By thus identifying these groups’ language needs they were able to pinpoint the knowledge and know-how required for attaining this communication “threshold”. More...

The CEFR has had a particular influence on language assessment. The following tools are available to assessment providers and other practitioners with an interest in language testing: 

• a Manual for Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment accompanied by Further Material on Maintaining Standards across Languages, Contexts and Administrations by exploiting Teacher Judgment and IRT Scaling.
• a technical Reference Supplement to the Manual for Relating Examinations to the CEFR
• a Manual for Language test development and examining for use with the CEFR – produced by ALTE on behalf of the Language Policy Unit, Council of Europe (2011). This Manual has also been translated into German and into Basque.
• illustrations of the European levels of language proficiency
• content analysis grids for speaking, writing, listening and reading materials
• the proceedings of the colloquium on Standard Setting Research and its Relevance to the CEFR
• Reference Level Descriptions (RLD) for national and regional languages. More...

The aim of the Guide is to offer an analytical instrument which can serve as a reference document for the formulation or reorganisation of language teaching in member states.
Its purpose is to provide a response to the need to formulate language policies to promote plurilingualism and diversification in a planned manner so that decisions are coherently linked. Accordingly, the Guide does not promote any particular language education policy but attempts to identify the challenges and possible responses in the light of common principles. More...

Objectives of the European Day of Languages

• Picture Gallery 2015
• Picture Gallery 2014
• Picture Gallery 2013
• Picture Gallery 2012
• Picture Gallery 2011
• 10th anniversary of the EDL in 2011. More...

40 Language Versions
Arabic, Albanian, Armenian, Basque, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Esperanto, Estonian, Finnish, French, Friulian, Galician, Georgian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Macedonian Language, Moldovan, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian (Iekavian version), Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Ukrainian.
Relevant national authorities and/or publishers are responsible for dissemination.
VERSIONS ON SALE / VERSIONS COMMERCIALISEES:
French Version / Version française : Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues : apprendre, enseigner, évaluer - Editions Didier
ISBN : 227805075-3 http://www.didierfle.com/
English Version / Version anglaise : Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment - Cambridge University Press
ISBN : HB 0521803136 - PB 0521005310 www.uk.cambridge.org/elt
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Albanian version / Version albanaise : Kuadri europian i përbashkët i referencës për gjuhët: Të mësuarit, të nxënët, vlerësimi, Ministria e Arsimit dhe e Shkences, Tirana
Arabic version / Version arabe :
Adam Bookshop, Maadi Grand Mall - B1, Shops No. 124 & 140, Cairo/Egypt
e-mail: magdy@adambookshop.com / www.adambookshop.com
Armenian version / Version arménienne : Yerevan State Linguistic University after V. Brusov
Basque version / Version basque : Ikaskuntza, irakaskuntza eta ebaluaziorako Europako Erreferentzia Markoa.- HABE and Hezkuntza, Unibertsitate eta Ikerketa saila –ISBN : 84-95827-90-5, www.habe.org
Bulgarian version / Version bulgare : Обща европейска езикова рамка : Учене, преподаване, оценяване. Published in Bulgaria by RELAXA / Publiée en Bulgarie par la maison d'édition RELAXA
ISBN : 954-8664-79-8
Catalan version / Version catalane : Marc europeu comú de referència per a les llengües: aprendre, ensenyar, avaluar – Ministeri d’Educacío, Joventut i Esports del Govern d’Andorra / Generalitat de Catalunya i el Govern de les Illes Balears ; ISBN : 84-393-6159-9;
Chinese version / Version chinoise : 欧洲语言共同参考框架：学习、教学、评估, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, Beijing, 2008, ISBN : 978-7-5600-8032-1 – www.fltrp.com
Croatian version / Version croate : Zajednički referentni okvir za jezike: učenje, poučavanje, vrednovanje - Školska Knjiga, Zagreb
ISBN : 953-0-50765-8
Czech version / Version tchèque : Společný evropský referenční rámec pro jazyky : Jak se učíme jazykům, jak je vyučujeme a jak v jazycích hodnotíme - Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci – ISBN : 80-244-0404-4
http://www.msmt.cz
Danish version / version danoise : Den Faelles Europaeiske Referenceramme for Sprog: Laering,
undervisning og evaluering, Ministeriet for Flygtninge, Indvandrere og Integration : www.nyidanmark.dk
Dutch version / Version néerlandaise : Gemeenschappelijk Europees Referentiekader voor Moderne Vreemde Talen: Leren, Onderwijzen, Beoordelen – Nederlandse Taalunie:
http://taalunieversum.org/onderwijs/gemeenschappelijk_europees_referentiekader/
Estonian version / Version estonienne : Euroop keelepõpe raamdokumnet: õppimine, õpetamine ja hindamine published by / publiée par Haridus- ja Teadusministerium
Esperanto: Komuna Eŭropa Referenckadro por lingvoj: lernado, instruado, pritaksado, Universala Esperanto-Asocio, Rotterdam 2007. ISBN : 978 92 9017 100 3
http://edukado.net/ekzamenoj/referenckadro/libro
Finnish version / Version finlandaise : Eurooppalainen Viitekehys : Kielten oppimisen, opettamisen ja arvioinnin yhteinen eurooppalainen viitekehys – Werner Söderström Osakeyhtiö, Helsinki
ISBN : 951-0-27700-2
Friulian version / Version frioulane : Cuadri comun european di riferiment pes lenghis: aprendiment, insegnament, valutazion - Consorzio Universitario del Friuli ; http://www.cuf-ancun.it
Galician version / Version galicienne : Marco europeo común de referencia para as linguas: aprendizaxe, ensino, avaliación – Xunta de Galicia
ISBN : 84-453-4041-7
German version / Version allemande : Gemeinsamer europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen: lernen, lehren und beurteilen - Langenscheidt. http://www.goethe.de/referenzrahmen
ISBN : 3-468-49469-6
Georgian version / Version géorgienne (Ministry of Education / Ministère de l’éducation):
Greek version / Version grecque : (Centre for the Greek Language / Centre pour la langue grecque):
http://www.komvos.edu.gr/Common%20European%20Framework.pdf
Hungarian version / Version hongroise : Közös Európai Referenciakeret : Nyelvtanulás, Nyelvtanítás, Értékelés. Pedagógus-tavábbképzési Módszertani és Információs Központ
ISBN : 963 204200x
Hebrew version/ Version en hébreu:
מסגרת התייחסות אירופית משותפת לשפות: למידה, הוראה והערכה (מהא"ם)
Produced by the Goethe Institut http://www.goethe.de/ins/il/pro/CEFR BOOK.pdf and the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation https://nite.org.il/files/CEFR.pdf
Italian version / Version italienne : Quadro comune europeo di riferimento per le lingue : apprendimento insegnamento valutazione - La Nuova Italia-Oxford
ISBN : 88-221-4512-7
Japanese version version japonaise : http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/jgg/jggla/library/cef_verzeichnis.html
Korean version / version coréenne: 언어 교수, 학습, 평가를 위한 유럽공통참조기준,
ISBN 978-89-5726-750-9 (2010), 978-89-5726-465-2 (2007)
Publisher / Maison d’édition: Hankukmunhwasa :
http://www.hankookmunhwasa.co.kr/book/sub_01.asp?ctg_code=01-
01&schoption=goods_name&schword=%C0%AF%B7%B4%B0%F8%C5%EB%C2%FC%C1%B6%B1%E2%C1%D8
Lithuanian version / Version lituanienne : http://www.smm.lt/ugdymas/docs/lkmp/kalbu%20metmenys.pdf
Macedonian language / Langue macédonienne:
Заедничка европска референтна рамка за јазици: учење, настава и оценување
Moldovan version / Version moldave : Cadrul european comun de referinta pentru limbi: învatare, pedare, evaluare - Produced with the assistance of the Chisinau Office of the Council of Europe / produite avec l’assistance du Bureau du Conseil de l’Europe de Chisinau
ISBN : 9975-78-259-0
Polish version / Version polonaise : Europejski system opisu kształcenia językowego : uczenie się, nauczanie, ocenianie – Centralny Ośrodek Doskonalenia Nauczycieli, Warsawa
ISBN : 83-87958-54-9
Portuguese version / Version portugaise : Quadro europeu comum de referência para as línguas : Aprendizagem, ensino, avaliação - Edições ASA, ISBN : 972-41-27 46-X - - http://www.asa.pt
Russian version / Version russe : Общеевропейские компетенции владения иностранным языком: изучение, обучение, оценка, Moscow State Linguistic University / Université linguistique d'Etat de Moscou
Загальноєвропейськi Рекомендацiï з мовноï освiти: вивчення, викладання, оцiнювання.
Serbian version (Iekavian version) / Version serbe (version iékavienne) : Zajednički Evropski Okvir za žive Jezike : Učenje, Nastava, Ocjenjivanje – Ministarstvo Prosvjete I Nauke
COBISS. CG – ID 5107728
Slovak version / Version slovaque : Spoločný európsky referenčný rámec pre jazyky: učenie sa, vyučovanie, hodnotenie. Published by Štátny pedagogický ústav / Publiée par Štátny pedagogický ústav
ISBN : 80-85756-93-5
Slovenian version / Version slovène
Spanish version / Version espagnole : Marco común europeo de referencia para las lenguas: aprendizaje, enseñanza, evaluación - Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte & grupo ANAYA,
ISBN : 84-667-1618-1 - http://cvc.cervantes/obref/marco
Swedish version / version suédoise : Gemensam europeisk referensram för språk : lärande, undervisning och bedömning, Skolverket, 2007, ISBN : 978-91-85545-50-6, www.skolverket.se
Turkish version / version turque:
DİLLER İÇİN AVRUPA ORTAK BAŞVURU METNİ - ÖĞRENME - ÖĞRETME – DEĞERLENDİRME
ISBN: 978-975-11-3281-9 - http://digm.meb.gov.tr/uaorgutler/AK/cefr_Turkce.pdf
Ukrainian version / Version ukrainienne : Загальноєвропейськi Рекомендацiï з мовноï освiти: вивчення, викладання, оцiнювання - Видавництво Ленвiт, Киïв – 2003 – ISBN : 966-7043-67-3
Langue des signes française : Adaptation de certaines parties du CECR (version française) pour la langue des signes française (LSF); Ministère de l’Education nationale, France, 2002. More...

The result of over twenty years of research, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR) is exactly what its title says it is: a framework of reference. It was designed to provide a transparent, coherent and comprehensive basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses and curriculum guidelines, the design of teaching and learning materials, and the assessment of foreign language proficiency. It is used in Europe but also in other continents and is now available in  40 languages. More...

THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE FOR LANGUAGES: LEARNING, TEACHING, ASSESSMENT (CEFR)
The CEFR is a key instrument for establishing a European educational space in the field of modern languages. Its main aim is to facilitate transparency and comparability in the provision of language education and qualifications. It is available in nearly 40 language versions. More

in connection with the CEFR:

• Publications related to the CEFR
• Supporting Material: Manuals, Guides, Reports, Case Studies
• Language examinations - a Toolkit: for assessment providers and other practitioners with an interest in language testing
• Materials illustrating the CEFR levels of language proficiency

LANGUAGE EDUCATION POLICY PROFILES
At the request of national or regional authorities, the Council of Europe provides expert assistance with the development of a Profile – a process of analysis and reflection leading to proposals to support a global and coherent approach to language learning and teaching, and involving all languages in education. More Overview and Reports

LANGUAGES OF SCHOOLING
This project deals with the language(s) of instruction in school which is most often the national or official language(s) and also the mother tongue of the majority of students. Within the wider concept of plurilingualism and respect for linguistic diversity, the project also addresses issues relating to the development of the plurilingual repertoire of learners.
More

POLICY GUIDE AND STUDIES: TOWARDS PLURILINGUAL EDUCATION
Aimed at policy deciders, the Guide describes how language education policies can promote a global and coherent approach to plurilingual education. The Guide is accompanied by a series of thematic studies.
More

• Guide for the development of Language Education Policies in Europe
• Series of Thematic Studies

GUIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CURRICULA

Aimed primarily at persons in charge of curricula, this Guide addresses all those involved in teaching. It offers practical approaches in curriculum development, illustrated with scenarios, in order to implement plurilingual and intercultural education. It is accompanied by two satellite studies.

• Guide for the development and implementation of curricula for plurilingual and intercultural education
• Satellite studies. More...

Selected Texts

Linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants - Guide to policy development and implementation

The linguistic integration of adult migrants: from one country to another, from one language to another, 2014. ISBN 978-92-871-7871-8

Guide for the development and implementation of curricula for plurilingual and intercultural education accompanied by two Satellite Studies

Report of the Intergovernmental Forum on “The right of learners to quality and equity in education – the role of language and intercultural skills", 2011 - Geneva, November 2010

Putting the Evidence Back into Evidence-based Policies for Underachieving Students, 2011, Jim Cummins, The University of Toronto

Manual for Language test development and examining for use with the CEFR produced by ALTE (2011) on behalf of the Language Policy Unit (also available in German)

Concept Paper: The linguistic and educational integration of children and adolescents from migrant backgrounds. More...

Resources

• Recommendations / Resolutions
• Publications and Documents
• Links

• - Platform of resources and references for plurilingual and intercultural education
• - Linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants
• - European Language Portfolio
• - Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters
• - European Day of Languages

• Towards plurilingual education: Two Guides and Studies
  • Development of policies
  • Development and implementation of curricula

• Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR)
  • The CEFR and language examinations: a toolkit
  • Reference Level Descriptions for national or regional languages (RLD)

• Language Education Policy Profiles. More...

A plurilingual person has:
- a repertoire of languages and language varieties
- competences of different kinds and levels within the repertoire
Plurilingual education promotes:
- an awareness of why and how one learns the languages one has chosen
- an awareness of and the ability to use transferable skills in language learning
- a respect for the plurilingualism of others and the value of languages and varieties irrespective of their perceived status in society
- a respect for the cultures embodied in languages and the cultural identities of others
- an ability to perceive and mediate the relationships which exist among languages and cultures
- a global integrated approach to language education in the curriculum. More...