eu4journalists

Multilingualism

2. EU Policy on Multilingualism

EU language policy aims to promote the wider knowledge and use of the 23 official languages, while also protecting minority languages. Respect for linguistic diversity is a core EU value: Article 21 of the ‘Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union’ forbids discrimination on several grounds (specifically including language), while Article 22 guarantees respect for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

The EU is well aware that multilingualism needs to be channelled. Without proper management it can raise social divisions (where mobile multilingual candidates gain jobs at the expense of the monolingual); prevent EU citizens and firms from making the most of the single market; or hinder cross-border cooperation and local services (e.g. hospitals, courts, job centres, etc). The Union is therefore working on several fronts to improve access to training and quality of teaching. A key aspect of this work is tailoring approaches to specific groups.

The key messages are:

• Languages open doors to new opportunities;
• One lingua franca is not enough;
• Anyone can learn a foreign language at any stage of life;
• Any level of language command is useful.

Member states are the key decision-makers on all language policies, including on regional and minority languages. The Commission's main role is to propose new legislation and promote the exchange of good practices.

In 2004, explicit responsibility for multilingualism was included for the first time in a European Commissioner’s portfolio. Since then, the Commission has launched a dedicated Languages Portal and a Citizens Signpost Service.

Recent Timeline

In 2002, the EU established the Barcelona objective: to enable citizens to communicate in two languages plus their mother tongue. To this end, it developed an Indicator of Language Competence – a single reliable standard for measuring individual and national improvements. It also developed the European Language Label – an award for pioneering new schemes for language teaching and learning.

Also 2002, to boost the Lisbon Agenda, EU heads sought to make Europe the world leader in education and training by 2010. A major part of this is Languages 2010, with benchmarks to measure the progress of member states and a focus on early language learning.

In July 2003, the European Commission adopted an Action Plan to promote language learning and linguistic diversity. This suggested 45 actions to be carried out between 2004 and 2006 in three key areas:

1. To extend the benefits of language learning to all citizens as a lifelong activity;
2. To improve the quality of language teaching at all levels;
3. To create the right environment for multilingualism to flourish.

November 2005 saw the publication of the core Framework Strategy. This explains the Commission approach to developing multilingualism in the single market and wider European society. Key measures include the promotion of language learning, diversity and a healthy multilingual economy, while giving citizens access to EU legislation, procedures and information in their own languages.

In September 2008, the Commission released a Communication on why multilingualism is an “asset for Europe and a shared commitment”. This document shows what individuals and businesses can gain from investing in language training, and how and why this can enrich European society.

Ultimately, the Commission is mainstreaming multilingualism in all of its policies. It is reinforcing links with other EU programmes like employment, lifelong learning, competitiveness, culture, youth and civil society, research and media, and social inclusion.