Context
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Main Events
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Resource Section
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Council of Europe priorities 
The Council of Europe is centrally concerned with human rights, democracy and the rule of law. These fundamental values, and its constant concern with respect for diversity and social cohesion, are guiding principles in its actions.
The Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe’s 46 member states took place in Warsaw in May 2005, and in the Summit Declaration, Europe’s leaders committed themselves, inter alia, to ensuring that our cultural diversity becomes a source of mutual enrichment, to the protection of the rights of national minorities and the free movement of persons.
‘…In order to develop understanding and trust among Europeans, we will promote human contacts and exchange good practices regarding free movement of persons on the continent, with the aim of building a Europe without dividing lines. …We are determined to build cohesive societies by ensuring fair access to social rights, fighting exclusion and protecting vulnerable social groups.’
This political Declaration is accompanied by an Action Plan, which proposes measures to ensure social cohesion (III.1). The Action Plan also addresses the management of migration (III.8), and nationality law, including the promotion of the acquisition of citizenship (I.3).
Context and project aims
Preliminary surveys show considerable differences in approach among the countries surveyed (for an overview of results see seminars held in Paris, 2005 and in Strasbourg, 2008).
In some countries language learning is obligatory, perhaps as part of an ‘integration contract’ or it may be voluntary and left to the individual to decide. It may be part of a wider programme of integration or perhaps vocational training, or quite separate. The number of hours of tuition can vary considerably, as can the cost - it may be free or subsidised.
The administrative responsibilities may be centralised or delegated locally. Teaching may be provided by specially trained professionals or left to market forces with or without quality assurance mechanisms.
While a number of countries provide language training for migrants without attaching specific language conditions to residence, others require adult migrants to demonstrate proficiency in the official language of the host country before granting long-term residence permits or citizenship. Some countries recommend or require attendance at language courses while others requiere an examination. In those countries where evidence of language proficiency is required, many examination and certification bodies responsible for language assessment of non nationals applying for a residence permit or citizenship use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). These countries establish various levels (varying from A1 to B1/B2) and use and a range of practices for assessing the level of candidates.
The objective of the project is not to promote any specific approach nor obligatory testing, but to facilitate wider discussion on policies and to share best practices at European level. Where tests are obligatory, the aim is to facilitate transparency and equity according to internationnally accepted codes of practice.
It is planned to promote the development of models of European Language Portfolio for adult migrants, such as models already produced and validated by the Council of Europe for migrants learning the language of the host country. In addition, a survey will be carried out on the situation in countries with the assistance of ALTE. Within the Council of Europe, links are being developed with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) and the European Committee on Migration.
Conventions, Recommendations and Resolutions of the Council of Europe
- The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has developed Conventions for ratification by member states. The Committee also adressed a number of recommendations and resolutions to the Counicl of Europe member states, related to the integration and status of migrants. The Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) also developed a number of recommendations and resolutions.
- A compilation of relevant extracts of official texts was realised by the Language Policy Division in 2008.
MAIN EVENTS
Council of Europe
The question of migration has steadily grown in importance in the work of the Council of Europe as governments have come to acknowledge that Europe has become a region of immigration, and the final destination of many who have immigrated.
Soon ! International Conference on “ The linguistic integration of adult migrants: Ways of evaluating policy and practice”
Strasbourg 24-25 June 2010
This event will be organised by the Council of Europe (Language Policy Division and Migration Division).
This event will provide a forum for discussion and sharing experiences on key issues relating to language policy for the linguistic integration of adult migrants, in particular language requirements for residence and citizenship, quality in language training, testing and alternative approaches to assessment.
A follow-up survey on language requirements for adult migrants was carried out in member states between November 2009 and January 2010. An overview of results will be presented during the Conference.
>>> See Information Note
Intergovernmental seminar on the linguistic integration of adult migrants, Strasbourg 26-27 June 2008
This event was organised by the Council of Europe - the Language Policy Division with the co-operation of the Migration Division.
One of the objectives was to give the opportunity to share experiences in this rapidly developing area and to discuss key issues relating to language policy for integration while raising awareness of policy deciders of issues such as transparency and equity (see Information Note)
A survey was carried out (Nov. 2007 – Jan. 2008) on Language requirements for adult migrants in Council of Europe member states: the results were presented during the seminar
· Seminar Report (2009) 
· Programme including presentations and the results of the survey
· Seminar Documents (Thematic Studies, Case Studies,Extracts of relevant Conventions and Recommendations …)
· List of participants and Information Note
Other Seminars and Meetings
Strasbourg, January 2006 and March 2007
Organised by the Language Policy Division, these meetings with experts, from various backgrounds and countries, on issues regarding adult migrants, were an opportunity to explore the follow-up to be given at European level to some of the issues addressed at the Paris seminar (2005). It offered an opportunity to examine in particular the implications of ‘high stake’ situations concerning language requirements for citizenship or long term residency purposes and to suggest approaches to policy as well as more ‘technical’ solutions aimed at promoting the kind of transparency and fairness that legal frameworks on their own do not necessarily ensure – in particular in view of the intergovernmental seminar held in 2008.
Within a wider perspective, the meetings also discussed an initial concept for an international conference, to be organised by the Language Policy Division in Strasbourg in 2008 aiming at raising awareness among policy deciders on issues linked to the linguistic integration of migrants.
The development of a Concept Paper (outlining the challenges and issues related to the linguistic integration of migrants and the European political background), along with thematic studies and case studies were also discussed (see below section ‘Publications’).
Paris, September 2005
Seminar (follow-up to a 2004 seminar) organised by the French Ministry responsible for culture and communication (‘Délégation générale à la langue française et aux langues de France’ [DGLFLF], the Ministry responsible for employment, social cohesion, and lodging, the International Centre for Pedagogical Studies (CIEP, Sèvres) in co-operation with the Language Policy Division
The situation was documented for six European countries in the Report of the seminar. It notes the considerable differences in approach to language provision and, where it exists, to testing for residence or citizenship purposes.
Berlin, May 2005
ALTE’s Second International Conference on Language Testing and Citizenship Forum, organised by ALTE with the Language Policy Division.
Publications and Reports
Intergovernmental seminar on the Linguistic Integration of adult migrants organised in Strasbourg by the Council of Europe, June 2008 . Reports and Studies: see above -
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- International seminars on the integration of adult migrants organised by the « Délégation générale à la langue française et aux langues de France » (DGLFLF – Ministry fo culture and Communication, France) with the Council of Europe
- Report of the seminar held in Sèvres in 2004
- Report of the seminar held in Sèvres in 2005
- Deutsche Fassung des Berichts (2005)
- Other publications
- Evolution actuelle des migrations internationales en Europe. John Salt. 2005 : Council of Europe. (French only)
- Linguistic diversity and new minorities in Europe, Ingrid Gogolin, 2004. Council of Europe
- Bilingual education : some policy issues, 2003, Pádraig Ó Riagáin et Georges Lüdi
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