The European Day of Languages is observed on 26 September, as proclaimed by the Council of Europe on 6 December 2001, at the end of the European Year of Languages (2001), which had been jointly organised by the Council of Europe and the European Union.

Its aim is to encourage language learning across Europe. The general objectives of the European Day of Languages are to:

• Alert the public to the importance of language learning, diversity and the range of languages learned in order to increase plurilingualism and intercultural understanding
• Promote the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe
• Encourage lifelong language learning in and out of school

In keeping with these rules, people, young and old, are encouraged to take up a language or to take special pride in their existing language skills. Also, those responsible for providing access to language learning are encouraged to make it easier for people to learn a range of languages, and to support policy initiatives to promote languages. There is also an emphasis on learning a language other than English. On the occasion of the day, a range of events are organised across Europe, including those for children, television and radio programmes, language classes and conferences. The events are not organised by the Council of Europe or the European Union nor do they allocate special funding (i.e. apart from their existing language programmes) for the day. Member states and potential partners are given a free hand to organise activities. To coordinate the activities organised at the national level, the Council of Europe asks participating countries to nominate “National Relay Persons” for the day. The national relay in the UK used to be the National Centre for Languages.

Links:
European Day of Languages