European Day of Languages

European Day of Languages

The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated across Europe on the 26th of September every year. It aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. It was set up by the Council of Europe and was first celebrated in 2001. Why not celebrate with your class, and use this opportunity to raise the profile of languages in your school.



Ideas for your school

SCILT has put together lots of ideas to support you in celebrating the European Day of Languages in your school. We have grouped them into primary and secondary ideas, as well as ideas for parents and families, and provided a suggested timeframe for each activity:

Schools organising events to celebrate EDL 2019 are invited to upload details of their event to the EDL events calendar, a Europe-wide calendar hosted by the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML). There will be a prize for the most innovative event.

Resources

Visit the ECML website for free downloadable posters, postcards, stickers and audio files. You will also find language activities, games, facts and the EDL language challenge. 

Download the 'Ideas for school' documents above and check the list of useful websites below for further resources. 

EDL t-shirt competition

The ECML are inviting entries for their EDL t-shirt contest. Submit your entry online and your design could be on the official EDL t-shirt for 2020!

Find out more on the ECML website.

Blogs

Tell us how you celebrated the European Day of Languages and we will feature you in our EDL 2019 blog. If you include some colourful photos your article could even appear in our next newsletter!

For more ideas on how to celebrate, view the SCILT EDL blogs from previous years:

Useful websites

University of Strathclyde Education Scotland British Council Scotland The Scottish Government
SCILT - Scotlands National centre for Languages