With schools and individuals across Europe preparing to celebrate the annual European Day of Languages, CILT sees 26^th September as a perfect opportunity to highlight the many ways in which languages can enhance lives – and show just how much fun learning them can be.

CITL’s own staff speak 30 different languages between them, and are committed to helping people understand the cultural, social, educational and economic value of language learning. The amount of activity going on in schools and colleges in the run up to the European Days of Languages shows that this is a message that’s not being lost.

Music competitions, fashion shows, French breakfasts, quizzes: schools across Europe are coming up with all sorts of imaginative ways to join in the festivities and celebrate the cultural and linguistic diversity all around us. You can find many more ideas for activities, as well as some very useful resources on our website: www.cilt.org.uk/edl

But there’s a serious message to all this activity. As a nation, it’s really important for us to improve our language skills if we want to remain strong in the global economy. Young people need to be aware of the career prospects that come from being able to speak in a different tongue, and the European Day of Languages is a great opportunity to get them thinking about this.

A great new online learning tool – Open School for Languages – is currently being developed to give teachers and pupils a unique interactive and engaging way to approach language learning.  The resource, which is aimed initially at Key Stage 3 level, will be launched later this year.