European Language Label

The European Language Label for innovative projects in language teaching and learning

The European Language Label is a Europe-wide initiative, supported by the European Commission to promote best practice in innovative and effective Modern Language learning. It is an award that encourages new initiatives in the field of teaching and learning languages, rewarding new techniques in language teaching, spreading the knowledge of their existence and thereby promoting good practice. Furthermore, the Award recognizes projects demonstrating an innovative, effective and replicable approach to learning languages, with applications welcome from schools, colleges, businesses and other institutions.

The Label is open to all aspects of education and training, regardless of age or methods used, with its main focus being to promote innovation in language teaching. By supporting innovative projects, at a local and national level, the Label seeks to raise the standards of language teaching across Europe. Each year, the Label is awarded to the most innovative language learning projects in each country participating in the scheme. Award-winning projects provide a potential source of inspiration for others, in different languages, contexts and even different countries, underlining the importance of the criteria that the project be replicable. To date, projects under this Label have proved that such criteria can be met and that creative thinking can lead to improved teaching provision and learner achievement.

The European Language Label is coordinated by the European Commission, but managed on a decentralized basis by the individual Member States, with national juries deciding on detailed criteria.

The European Criteria for awarding the European Language Label

Initiatives should be comprehensive in their approach. This means that every element of the language project - from students to teachers, from methods to materials – should ensure that the needs of the students are identified and met.

Initiatives should provide added value in their national context. This means a tangible improvement in the teaching or learning of languages, either in terms of quantity or quality. "Quantity" might refer to the project stimulating the learning of several languages, particularly those that are less widely used, whereas "quality" might refer to the introduction of an improved methodology.

Initiatives should motivate the students and teachers to improve their language skills.

Initiatives should be original and creative. They should introduce previously unknown approaches to language learning, but also make sure they are appropriate to the students concerned.

Initiatives should have a European emphasis. They should be adapted to Europe's linguistic diversity and make use of this advantage - for example, by liaising with contacts across national borders. The initiatives should actively improve understanding between cultures by promoting language skills.

Initiatives should be transferable. They might potentially be a source of inspiration for other language initiatives in different countries.

The European Language Label – Priority for 2010

Priorities 2010-2011 are:

Language Learning in Society

Language Skills in preparation for Work.

1.              Language Learning in the Community

Foreign workers or students, tourists and immigrants often come to local communities with limited proficiency in the national or regional language. Communities need to help these groups’ access services and ensure their smooth integration in the life of their neighbourhood. This can be achieved by making basic information available in different languages, organizing activities that promote the language and culture of the various communities, or by having multilingual people act as cultural mediators and interpreters.



Projects awarded the European Language Label should excel in catering for the language-related needs of the various linguistic groups and fostering communication between them and the host community.

2.              Language Skills as a Preparation for Work

Linguistic and intercultural skills increase the chances of obtaining a better job. Multilingual people can choose among a wider range of job offers, including jobs abroad. Language education should help students feel self-confident when communicating in a professional context. Projects under this priority should be outstanding examples of teaching language skills as a preparation for work.

Application procedure

Applications are invited from schools, colleges, universities, businesses and other institutions engaged in foreign language initiatives, which are innovative, effective and replicable.

Criteria

Judges will be looking for projects, based in traditional or innovative learning environments, which bring its participants added value in terms of competence and motivation.

Projects should be as comprehensive as possible, reaching beyond small groups of learners. Evidence of institution-wide support for the project and indeed its overall impact would also strengthen applications.

Projects can involve any language other than English, but should include an international dimension. Award-winning initiatives will serve as a potential source of inspiration for projects in other contexts, languages and even other countries.

How to Apply

Click here to download the Application Form. Such Application Form needs to be submitted to EUPA.

Any supporting evidence for consideration by the judging panel (photos, resources etc) should be sent to the address below and can be returned at the end of the judging process:

European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA)

Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP)

EUROPEAN LANGUAGE LABEL (ELL)

36, Old Mint Street

Valletta – VLT 1514

MALTA