Did you know? There are 24 official languages in Europe but adding in regional and minority languages, the total number spoken across the continent is over 200.
On 26 September, European Day of Languages, we celebrate the range and diversity of languages spoken throughout Europe by celebrating the languages spoken in your school. Learning a language not only allows you to talk with people from other countries in their own language, it’s also an introduction to different cultures, different ideas and opens up a world of opportunities.
European Day of Languages is jointly organised by the Council of Europe and the European Commission and celebrated each year on 26 September.
The aim is to:
- raise awareness of the wide variety of languages in Europe
- promote cultural heritage & linguistic diversity
- encourage people of all ages to learn languages
- promote translation, interpretation, other language-related professions.
We have a variety of resources than can help you introduce, celebrate and promote language learning in your classroom. You could start the day with our 'Let's talk about languages' resource in an assembly or in tutor time and use our Great Languages Challenge as a homework activity. Inspire your secondary pupils to continue studying languages, or to choose languages as an option, with our eight short 'Where will languages take me?' videos and accompanying pupil booklet.
If you're looking to introduce German language and culture to your learners, check out our 'Welcome to German and the German-speaking world' resources, with ideas and activities for primary and secondary classes.
