Keywords
Citation
(2000), "'Year of languages' for 2001", Education + Training, Vol. 42 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2000.00442bab.017
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
'Year of languages' for 2001
"Year of languages" for 2001
Keywords: Foreign languages, Promotion, European Commission
The year 2001 should be designated the European Year of Languages, the European Commission has proposed.
An EU-wide campaign with a £5.1 million budget would promote information initiatives and a series of local, regional, national and international projects, all aimed at widening knowledge and interest in languages. There would also be around £2.5 million available as a preparatory budget in 2000.
The Commission plans to co-operate with a similar Council of Europe initiative in this field.
European Commissioner Viviane Reding commented: "The main aim of the initiative is that each European citizen sees his or her mother tongue protected and, at the same time, has the possibility of learning two additional languages in the medium and long term".
She continued: "Knowledge of other languages contributes to the personal and cultural fulfilment of EU inhabitants and the development of their professional skills. It facilitates free movement and mobility. Language learning must take place throughout life and is equally important for young people and adults".