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Summer/Autumn 2009
Issue no. 15 |
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| Welcome to the European Language Gazette, an online newsletter keeping you up to date with news about ECML events, projects and resources as well as developments in the Language Policy Division and other relevant sectors of the Council of Europe´s work. The Gazette is published two times a year in Summer/Autumn and in Winter. Subscribers are informed by e-mail when each new issue is published. We hope you appreciate this issue and look forward to your feedback. |
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 At the initiative of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, the European Day of Languages is celebrated since 2001 on 26 September to promote cultural richness and plurilingualism in Europe and to encourage lifelong language learning. Every year hundreds of events in celebration of languages are organised around Europe and beyond.
On the redesigned EDL website you can now find more than ever in the way of texts, materials, facts and games related to the linguistic diversity in Europe
http://www.coe.int/edl
There is something for everyone interested in languages – here are just some of the many features available:
- a calendar of events promoting activities taking place in celebration of the EDL all around Europe and beyond;
- a 'language treasures' database for sharing your favourite word or words from different languages which no translation can do justice to;
- materials on language learning and articles on linguistic diversity;
- contact websites and addresses to find out more about languages and language learning;
- ideas for organising an EDL event, examples and a 'submit your ideas' section for getting feedback/partners/guidance;
- online promotional materials to distribute and access to national relays to order the 'hard copies';
- videos and audio files, interesting facts, virtual postcards, quizzes, memory games, and other fun activities involving languages.
If you have planned or are planning an EDL-related event this year please remember to publicise it via our events calendar.
We wish you a very enjoyable and successful EDL 2009!
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 The Annual Report of the Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the European Centre for Modern Languages (Graz) to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers (January - December 2008) reflects the whole range of activities the ECML performed in 2008.
Read the executive summary: English - French
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 In 2008 the ECML's „Empowering language professionals: competences – networks – impact – quality” medium-term programme was launched. Within the framework of its short-term provision for 2010-2011, the Centre has included three projects to complement the existing programme:
- Training in relating language examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Description
- Training teachers to use the European Language Portfolio – Follow-up project
Description
- Enhancing success of mobility programmes – Tools for language teachers
Description
The short-term projects 2010-2011 are expected to develop further tangible and innovative products and services with the aim of achieving the objectives set for the programme: enhancing the professional competence of language teachers, strengthening professional networks and the wider community of language educators, enabling language professionals to have greater impact on reform processes and contributing to better quality of language education in Europe.
In addition, the ECML will carry out an activity in the area of Roma language education. This specialised support is based on extensive partnerships with expert groups and organisations. It aims to strengthen local networks and to help implementing a curriculum and teaching methods based on European standards.
- Enhancing Romani language education in schools in Europe
Description
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Training in Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (RELEX) (2009): RelEx workshop
Responding to the growing need of the users of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the Council of Europe Language Policy Division has developed a set of procedures and tools to be used in order to establish a link between local language examinations and the Common Reference Levels of language proficiency. The ECML has taken up work in this area, offering training of test developers in applying these procedures and using the supporting tools. Within the framework of a two year project, entitled RelEx, the ECML ran a workshop in Graz on 13-15 May 2009 on relating examinations to the CEFR. The event was targeted at developers of national language examinations who were nominated by the Centre's member states.
Piloting and Implementing the European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages (EPOSTL 2) (2008-2011)
The European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages - A reflection tool for language teacher education is now available online in English - French - German - Polish - Hungarian
If you would like information about EPOSTL activities in Armenia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, please contact the national EPOSTL co-ordinators.
Project website "Piloting and Implementing the European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages"
Project website "From Profile to Portfolio: A Framework for Reflection in Language Teacher Education (FTE)" (2004-2007)
A Training Manual for Using Networked Technologies in Vocationally Oriented Language Learning (provisional title)
The publication, which is due for online release in late 2009, will be targeted at teachers and teacher-trainers. The manual will explain the background to the different aspects of ICT in VOLL and describe the different steps involved in carrying out various ICT-based activities. The publication will also provide practical examples and link to case studies which are available on-line at the EVOLLution website ("Exploring cutting edge applications of networked technologies in Vocationally Oriented Language Learning ", 2008-2009).
Training teachers to use the European Language Portfolio - Follow-up project (ELP_TT2) (2008-2009)
Training events for teachers were held in Andorra, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland and in the United Kingdom/Scotland. The material used in these seminars is now available online. As a new interactive feature on the project website, the team has launched an open ELP forum . Messages posted in the sub-forums “ELP-materials”, “Frequently asked questions” and “ELP-experience” are very welcome.
Curriculum development for Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL-CD) (2008-2011)
Under the co-ordination of David Marsh, a previous project in the ECML's 2004-2007 programme developed the "CLIL matrix" for CLIL awareness-raising as well as for teacher training. The current project CLIL-CD headed by María Jesús Frigols is developing a curriculum for teacher trainers together with experts from all over Europe.
The 2009 CLIL-CD Workshop 'Launching a Macro Framework for CLIL Teacher Education' is scheduled for 22-23 October 2009. If you are interested in being nominated please check the required qualifications and consider contacting your national representative.
CLIL team award
For their “topical and innovative” publication “Uncovering CLIL” Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh presented the CLIL-CD team members with the “HRH The Duke of Edinburgh English Speaking Union English Language Book Award” at Buckingham Palace. During the ceremony, Peeter Mehisto, David Marsh and María Jesús Frigols were acknowledged for their achievements in making the “Content and Language Integrated Learning” accessible to educators and other stakeholders.
Video "Uncovering CLIL ESU Award" on YouTube (length: 5:57)
Project website
A Framework of Reference for Pluralistic Approaches (CARAP) (2008-2009)
The Framework of reference for pluralistic approaches to languages and cultures (CARAP) is now available online in English - French - German - Spanish on the project website.
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Programme brochure "Empowering language professionals"
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The growing number of cooperation agreements between the ECML and partner organisations has led to the idea of establishing a Professional Network Forum on Language Education where leaders of INGOs associated with the Council of Europe and in partnership with the ECML would meet annually or bi-annually at the Centre in Graz.
Such meetings will aim to take stock of current language education issues and challenges as viewed from the perspective of each organisation and provide a platform for creating better synergies. In addition to the leaders of the INGOs (international non-governmental organisations) in partnership with the ECML, representatives of the Language Policy Division and the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages of the Council of Europe will be invited to participate, as well as representatives of other major players in the field, such as the EU.
The inaugural meeting of the Network Forum will be held at the ECML on 6-8 January 2010.
Details will be published in the ECML events calendar 2010
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The ECML participated in the XIVth International Congress of German Teachers in Jena, Germany, on 3-8 August 2009. The event attracted more than 3000 participants from all over the world. The ECML was represented by the Director of the Centre in a podium discussion, through a plenary presentation of Kim Haataja, coordinator of the CLIL-LOTE-START project and through a presentation on the work of the Centre. In addition, a number of experts involved in current ECML projects conducted workshops and presentations within the framework of the event which is the largest of its kind in the world. An attractive film which provides an overview of the conference is now available on the conference website.
The ECML participated at the SemLang summer university for language teacher education at the Centre international des études pédagogiques (CIEP) in Sèvres, France, on 6-10 July 2009. SemLang, which is funded with support from the European Commission under its Lifelong Learning Programme, focuses on improving quality in language teacher education as well as fostering the development of multilingualism. Seven institutions based in six European countries, including the ECML National Contact Points in Austria (ÖSZ), France (CIEP), and Poland (CODN) coordinated the event.
The ECML Director presented an update of the work of the Council of Europe in language education and a number of experts involved in current ECML projects contributed to the programme which principally targeted policy-makers and decision-makers in language teacher education.
The conference was organised at the University in Iasi by the Romanian Association for Quality of Linguistic Services – Quest (member of EAQUALS – European Association for Quality Language Services (ECML partner network)) in collaboration with two Socrates-Lingua projects: ALL (Autonomous Language Learning) and TOOL (Tool for Online and Offline Language Learning) coordinated from Spain and Romania respectively. These 2 projects have created a platform for blended learning hosting 9 language courses, at A2 level, in Bulgarian, Dutch, Estonian, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Slovene, Romanian, and Turkish.
The ECML contributed to the conference under its National Support scheme. One of the Centre’s programme consultants, Frank Heyworth, delivered a keynote speech informing the audience of approximately 100 international participants about the activities co-ordinated by the ECML under its current medium-term programme. A sample set of ECML publications was on display during the event.
Contact: Prof. Anca Colibaba, Gr. T. Popa University, Iasi, Romania - e-mail
“Europe is more than you think!” - The Council of Europe was the ‘guest of honour’ at the 54th International Book Fair which took place in Warsaw on 20-24 May 2009. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Organisation, the work and the publications of the Council were presented in the 300m² special exhibition area.
The ECML welcomed visitors at its information stand with publications and information materials. The Executive Director of the ECML, Waldemar Martyniuk, made a presentation entitled "Promoting excellence in language education" on the work of the Council of Europe in the area of languages with a specific focus on the activities and the results achieved by the Graz Centre. The accompanying programme also included presentations from two ECML projects given by the Polish experts involved:
Waldemar Martyniuk also gave a talk on "The Council of Europe language education policies and their possible implementation in higher education in Poland" at Warsaw University.
The ECML participation was organised in co-operation with the Information Office of the Council of Europe in Warsaw, the Polish ECML Governing Board member and the National Contact Point for the ECML in Poland, and the Warsaw University / Language Centre and Bologna Process Office.
Waldemar Martyniuk, Executive Director of the ECML, participated in the opening event of the European Wergeland Centre (EWC) in Oslo, a co-operation initiative between the Government of Norway and the Council of Europe. The inauguration keynote speeches and panel discussions focused on ''building bridges: Education for Intercultural Understanding, Human Rights and Democratic Citizenship, from Policy to Practice''. The EWC inauguration event was hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.
The Council of Europe and its European Centre for Modern Languages were presented at the Europe Day event “Wir sind Europa” on the Hauptplatz in Graz, Austria. The Centre participated with an information stand at the invitation of the City Council of Graz and the provincial Government of Styria. Interactive language games, conversation in 15 different languages with the Centre's staff and issuing of individual language profiles were on the 'menu' of the day. Waldemar Martyniuk, Executive Director of the ECML, was interviewed on the Centre´s Europe-wide activities promoting excellence in language education which are coordinated from the Styrian capital.
Europaserver: Europatagswoche Steiermark 2009: "Wir sind Europa" – Kreativität und Innovation (in German)
On 25 April 2009 the ECML Director participated in a panel discussion on “Quality and effectiveness in language teacher training and development” during the international conference of EAQUALS at Istanbul Bilgi University.
During the 16th Annual Conference of the ICC (International Certificate Conference), the Director of the ECML gave a keynote speech on "Creativity and innovation in the new programme of activities of the ECML".
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 The National Contact Points website of the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) was launched in April 2009. The Contact Points are entrusted with promoting the activities, products and services of the ECML at national level in all 34 states members of the Partial Agreement and in Canada. The new site will be used for promoting national events and provides an internal working platform and networking forum for the Contact Points. In addition, in order to facilitate networking at national level, visitors of the website can find information on experts from their country participating at ECML events.
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 The annual activity report/ Jahresbericht of the Austrian Association* informs the public at a regional level about the activities of the Centre and the many links developed between the European and the local expert community. It also highlights the large number of events that the presence of the ECML brings to Graz.
The 2008 report highlights how Graz has become a centre of competence both at a European and a regional level. Locally synergies and ongoing dialogue in the Language Network Graz have been strengthened and further developed by the partners. At the June meeting of the City Council the report was presented to the Mayor and council members.
On 26 September, the European Day of Languages, the ECML will host an Open Day inviting several institutions of the multicultural district where it is located to participate and illustrate the languages they deal with on a daily basis in the educational and/or social sector in this area. The motto is “Getting to know your neighbours”.
* The Austrian Association of the ECML (Verein EFSZ in Österreich) acts as the local partner of the ECML in Graz, thereby fulfilling Austria’s commitment as host country to provide a seat for the Centre and a local secretariat.
Read the 2008 activity report (in German only)
Contact
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From January to June 2009 the Secretariat of the ECML benefited from the excellent support of its trainees:
- Vesna Lusicky (Slovenia): programme;
- Aleksandra Dedic (Serbia): website;
- Stefanie Öttl (Austria) and Kristina Georgieva ("the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"): communication, documentation and resource centre; and
- Aleksandra Zivkovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina): administration.
    
The ECML staff would like to say a big thank you for their hard work and commitment to the Centre and offer their best wishes to all of them.
In July 2009 the ECML welcomed its three new trainees:
- Mair Bell (UK): programme;
- Sylvia Oñate (Spain): website;
- Ioanna Ydraiou (Greece): communication, documentation and resource centre.
   
In September, the ECML also welcomed a new Administration trainee:
The ECML offers traineeships for recent graduates with an excellent command of at least one of the working languages of the Council of Europe (English and French). Traineeships last 6 months (January to June or July to December) and candidates must apply for one of the areas of the Centre's work: its programme activities, its communication, information and documentation services or its website. The Centre also offers traineeships in its administration section once a year from September to February.
More information on trainees' profiles, duties and tasks, on living and working conditions in Graz, together with the application procedure and form can be found on the ECML traineeship web pages.
The deadline for applying to be among the intake of trainees for the period January to June 2010 is 30 September 2009.
In order to provide you with better information in an easy to navigate format the whole traineeship website has been restructured. Enjoy!
Application form
Trainees share their experience at the ECML
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 Languages for social cohesion: language education in a multilingual and multicultural Europe: European Centre for Modern Languages 2004-2007
David Newby and Hermine Penz (editors)
The ECML's “Languages for social cohesion” programme (2004-2007) involved approximately 4 500 language professionals from Europe and beyond.
This publication focuses on key developments in language education promoted through the work of the ECML. It serves three main functions. Firstly, it summarises the ECML's contributions to fostering linguistic and cultural diversity in European societies. Secondly, it contains the proceedings of the ECML Conference, held in September 2007 at the University of Graz, to communicate the results of this programme to the wider public. Thirdly, it provides a preview of the projects which comprise the programme of the ECML 2008-2011: “Empowering language professionals: competences – networks – impact – quality”. In this way the publication both provides an overview of current issues and trends in European language teaching and indicates perspectives for the future.
Download the book
Order the book
Council of Europe online bookshop
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 At the request of national or regional authorities, the Council of Europe (Language Policy Division) provides expert assistance with the development of a Profile – a process of analysis and reflection leading to proposals to support an overall and coherent approach to language learning and teaching, and involving all languages in education.
In addition to 12 other Profiles, a Language Education Policy Profile has now been completed for Valle d’Aosta (Italy) and Austria. The process is underway for the City of Sheffield (UK), Armenia, Estonia and Ukraine.
A transversal analysis of the Profiles has been produced and impact study has been completed for a number of countries.
Experience with implementing the Profile activity has highlighted the importance of
- Developing understanding through professional collaboration on a basis of mutual respect, equality and challenge
- The interrelation of specific national or regional needs with the broad principles of Council of Europe policy
- The concept of experts as catalysts, not agents of change.
Country/Regional Reports and Profiles are published by the Council of Europe and made available online on the Language Policy Division website.
Website - Section ‘Language Education Policy Profiles’
Contact: Philia Thalgott
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Language(s) of schooling
The development of competences in the languages of schooling is essential for ensuring that all learners have equal access to quality education as a fundamental right. In 2008 the project concentrated on drafting a number of policy studies and key reference documents on the languages of schooling both as a school subject and as the languages used in other subjects (history, maths etc.). These include preliminary descriptions of the language competences needed for success in school.
A Conference was organised on 8-10 June 2009 in Strasbourg on “Languages of Schooling and the right to plurilingual and intercultural education”. This event followed two previous conferences (Strasbourg, 2006 and Prague, 2007) and aimed at presenting the culmination of the first phase of the project and addressing key issues related to the language(s) of schooling, such as the further development of understanding plurilingual and intercultural education as a right, particularly in relation to the use of descriptors in the context of the languages of schooling and the needs of disadvantaged learners.
Website - Section “Languages of Schooling”
Contact: Philia Thalgott
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 Following extensive piloting, the Language Policy Division has now published online the “Manual for Relating language examinations to the CEFR” and ‘Further material on maintaining Standards across Languages, Contexts and Administrations’ which are accompanied by illustrative material for several languages (DVDs, CD-Rom, and other online material).
A Reference Supplement accompanies the Manual. Its aim is to provide the users of the Manual with additional information which will help them in their efforts to relate their certificates and diplomas to the CEFR. Further Material on “Maintaining Standards across Languages, Contexts and Administrations by exploiting Teacher Judgment and IRT Scaling” has been produced.
All these documents are available online:
www.coe.int/lang - Section “CEFR / Manual
Contact: Philia Thalgott
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 European Language Portfolio (ELP)
The European Language Portfolio Validation Committee (ED-EVC) has validated to date 116 different models of this personal instrument designed for individual language learners.
The next international seminar for ELP National Contact persons will be held in Graz on 29 September - 1 October 2009.
Website
Contact: Philia Thalgott
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 The Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters has been developed to promote intercultural dialogue. It is a personal tool that encourages users to think about and learn from intercultural encounters that have made a strong impression on them. It is suitable for cross-curricular and general use in formal and non-formal educational contexts.
The Autobiography is available online: www.coe.int/lang, Section ‘Autobiography …’
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Language education policy for adult migrants
In order to address issues related to the linguistic integration of adult migrants with the states concerned, an international seminar was organised in Strasbourg in June 2008. A Report including the results of a preliminary survey as well as detailed contributions on issues discussed (such as needs analysis, assessment, quality assurance, conditions, etc.) is now available online.
A series of Studies has been produced to serve as tools for policy deciders and trainers, also available online. A follow-up conference will be organised in Strasbourg mid 2010.
Website: www.coe.int/lang - Section ‘Minorities and Migrants’
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 The Joint Programme on “Minorities in Russia: Developing Languages, Culture, Media and Civil Society” was launched in Moscow on 22 June 2009.
Running until the end of 2011, the Joint Programme aims at promoting Russia’s ethnic and national minorities and better recognition of their specific integrity as regards culture, education, languages media and civil society.
A comprehensive policy approach to minorities and their languages will be elaborated by drafting recommendations and providing expert advice to the Russian authorities with a view to implementing Council of Europe standards and facilitating the ratification by the Russian Federation of its European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Contact person: Alexey Kozhemyakov, Head of the Charter Secretariat
Council of Europe media advisory
Website
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 The Council of Europe marks the 60th anniversary with a commemorative webpage on its site. It contains key information about the Organisation, a comprehensive selection of documents, extracts from the first audio recordings, a photo gallery, a calendar of the anniversary events, and a quiz to test your knowledge of the Council of Europe.
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 The Council of Europe’s Facebook page offers great opportunities for visibility for the Council of Europe and its campaigns by delivering news, TV spots, photo albums, podcasts and animated brochures to the Facebook community. The ECML will explore ways to use this platform for raising its own visibility.
With over 200 million active users worldwide, Facebook is the web's most popular social-networking website. It offers a platform where users can create profile pages, join networks and groups, send messages, and add friends in order to stay in touch and to keep others informed.
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Learning and living democracy: Introducing quality assurance of education for democratic citizenship in schools (2009)
This publication presents an overview, from international perspectives, of the applicability and relevance of the Tool for Quality Assurance of Education for Democratic Citizenship in Schools
To order
Teaching democracy: A collection of models for democratic citizenship and human rights education(2009)
This teachers' manual contains a collection of exercises and models for Education for Democratic Citizenship (EDC) and Human Rights Education (HRE) in schools.
To order
How all teachers can support citizenship and human rights education: a framework for the development of competences (2008)
This publication sets out the core competences needed to put democratic citizenship and human rights into practice in the classroom, the school and in the community.
To order
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"Creativity and Innovation in Promoting Multilingualism" – ECML National Support Event (Iasi, Romania, 25-26 June 2009)
The list of publications presents the results of all of the ECML’s work (books, CD-Roms, websites, flyers, brochures). All ECML products are downloadable free of charge from the Centre’s website.
The White Paper provides various orientations for the promotion of intercultural dialogue, mutual respect and understanding, based on the core values of the Organisation.
