LANGUAGE POLICY DIVISION

The Council of Europe’s activities to promote linguistic diversity and language learning in the field of education are carried out within the framework of the European Cultural Convention, (1954) ratified by 49 states. > More
The Language Policy Division (Strasbourg) implements intergovernmental medium-term programmes with a strong emphasis on activities and tools to support policy development (see brochure).
The Division’s programmes are complemented by those of the European Centre for Modern Languages (Graz, Austria) with a particular focus on implementation of policy. The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is a unique Council of Europe convention designed to protect and promote these languages in everyday life
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NEWS
	Launch of a developing Platform of resources and references for plurilingual and intercultural education
	Report of the Conference on “Languages of schooling and the right to plurilingual and intercultural education”, Strasbourg, 8-10 June 2009 – Programme including presentations
	The Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters is available online
	The Manual for relating language examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is available and accompanied by Further Material
	Conferences and seminars
	A platform of resources and references for plurilingual and intercultural education

LANGUAGES OF SCHOOLING			POLICY GUIDE AND STUDIES: TOWARDS PLURILINGUAL EDUCATION
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 - Progress Report on the Languages of Education Project (including Languages of Schooling) - Conferences: Studies and Reports			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
THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE FOR LANGUAGES: LEARNING, TEACHING, ASSESSMENT (CEFR)		RELATING LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS TO THE CEFR – MANUAL AND FURTHER MATERIAL
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 over 30 language versions. More Material illustrating competence levels See also: Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on The use of the Council of Europe's “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages” (CEFR) and the promotion of plurilingualism [CM/Rec(2008)7E]		Following extensive piloting, the Language Policy Division (Strasbourg) is pleased to announce the publication on-line of the Manual for relating language examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). More The Manual is accompanied by Further Material on Maintaining Standards across Languages, Contexts and Administrations by exploiting Teacher Judgment and IRT Scaling. More New! Linking to the CEFR levels: Research perspectives
LANGUAGE EDUCATION POLICY PROFILES	THE EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO (ELP) www.coe.int/portfolio
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 - Reports	The ELP is a personal document in which language learners can record and reflect on their language learning and cultural experiences. ELPs vary according to countries and educational contexts. However they all share common criteria and are all examined by a European Validation Committee. More - Principles and Guidelines - List of validated ELP models

Contact the co-ordinator of the Language Policy Division website

Updated: 25 September 2009 -

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