An updated strategic framework for European cooperation in
Education and Training, COM(2008)865 final (European
Commission, December 2008)
The themes continue to be
those of the Lisbon Strategy: lifelong learning,
upskilling through flexible and transparent education provision,
and cross-border mobility and collaboration to strengthen the
competitiveness of Europe’s workforce and economies.
Of the issues highlighted,
the key ones with relevance for languages are:
- Improving the achievement levels of learners with a migrant
background or from disadvantaged groups
- Attracting more adults into continuing education and
training
- Further facilitating geographic and occupational mobility.
One priority among others for 2009-10:
Languages:
To enable citizens to communicate in two languages in addition to
their mother tongue, promote language teaching in VET and for adult
learners and give migrants the opportunity to learn the language of
the host country.
One new proposed benchmark:
Languages:
The Commission would propose a new benchmark that at least 80% of
pupils in lower secondary education should be taught at least two
foreign languages.