Lead-In
Discuss the following questions in small groups.
- What is a language?
- How and why do we learn foreign languages?
- Where can people use foreign languages?
- What foreign languages do you speak?
- Which foreign language would you like to learn next? Why?
- What languages do you think are particularly difficult to learn? Why?
Languages of Europe
Exercise 1
Match the languages to the flags of the countries they are spoken in.
Exercise 2
Listen and match the languages to the countries they are spoken in.
Pairwork 1
What other languages are spoken in Europe? Discuss it with your partner.
What Is the European Day of Languages About?
The European Day of Languages
The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on September 26 every year. Back in 2001, the European Year of Languages took place for the first time, and millions of people all over Europe have participated in various activities ever since. In fact, it was the Council of Europe that decided it would be an annual[explanation: annual [ˈænjuəl] – iga-aastane] celebration to draw people’s attention to different languages and cultures.
Today, it is quite easy to move from one European country to another whenever and however one wishes, which means that the ability to speak multiple languages opens up countless opportunities. What is more, language skills enable[explanation: enable [ɪˈneɪb(ə)l] – võimaldama] us to understand different cultures and see how people go about their daily lives. This understanding is one of the most important aims of the Day of European Languages.
Many events are organised across Europe to involve people in the event. For example, there are different websites offering language games and apps to learn a new language. Every year, the Council of Europe organises a T-shirt contest to choose the design for the shirt of that year. Everybody can participate by sending in their ideas to try to become the designer of the official EDL T-shirt. In addition to that, the winner also receives up to ten free T-shirts to hand out to their classmates. Even if you do not win the contest, the EDL website may still publish your work to show other participants’ entries.
When it comes to language teachers, they can take part in different events, conferences, and so on. They may also set up and register their event on the EDL website, and other people are then able to participate in that specific event. Among other things, there are materials teachers can use to develop students’ language skills, promote foreign language learning, and simply have fun!
Adapted from European Day of Languages
- The European Day of Languages takes place
- once every two years.
- several times a year.
- once a year.
- The European Day of Languages was initiated by
- foreign language teachers.
- the Council of Europe.
- millions of volunteers across Europe.
- To go about something means
- to ignore something.
- to deal with something.
- to finish something.
- The EDL T-Shirt Contest
- is meant for everyone.
- has up to ten winners.
- isn’t an annual event.
Pairwork 2
Discuss with your partner.
- Have you participated in the EDL before? If so, what did you do on that day?
- What is your favourite word/expression in your native language[explanation: native language [ˌneɪtɪv ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ] – emakeel] or the one(s) you are learning?
- Watch the video. Which expression(s) did you like best? Can you repeat it/them in the original language?
