EU language policy:Challenges for the future

Michael KellyBelgrade, 11 July 2011

The Importance of Languages

The value of languages

• For Europe• For people• Economic

oAccess to external marketsoCareer opportunities

The value of languages

• Social oEncourage social cohesionoPersonal mobilityoNetworks

The value of languages

• Political oUnderstanding the worldoExercising citizenship

The value of languages

• Cultural oDiversity, enrichmentoCreativityoPersonal growthoWider horizons

Challenges to language policy

Existing European policy

• Mother tongue plus two o language of international communicationo ANDo personal adoptive language

• Improve quality of teaching• Increase motivation of learners

New context

• Economic crisis• Transnational flows • Linguistic hyperdiversity • Relations between languages and cultures• Challenges to multilingualism

New opportunities

• Translation• IT solutions• Language learning strategies • Language awareness• Intercultural learning

New pedagogical approaches

• Beyond the native speaker model• Comparative language awareness• Cognate language learning• Reciprocal intercomprehension and

languaging• Intercultural awareness

Universities working with policy makers

Define clear priorities for languages

• KISS (Keep it simple, stupid)• A small number of key priorities• High level objectives• Broad consensus• Wide involvement

Engaging with policy makers

• Get to know the policy makersoMinisters, civil servants, politicians,

representative bodies, think tanks, business leaders, media

• Invite key people to high profile events• Identify champions and influencers

Dialogue with policy makers

• Identify the government’s concerns and priorities

• Learn the language of policy-makers• Present clear solutions to problems they

recognise• Give your message through many voices