Fiorenza Congedo ITIS Marconi, Verona Comenius Assistantship and etwinning Induction Meeting Rome, 13 November 2009 1
A person s ability to use several languages and the co-existence of different language communities in one geographical area European Union s Motto Unity in diversity is a symbol of the European Union s aspiration to be united in diversity 2
Encouraging language learning and promoting linguistic diversity Promoting a healthy multilingual economy Promoting social integration through improved knowledge and acceptance of languages 3
Language is an arbitrary system of sounds and symbols which is used for many purposes by a group of people Languages differ from each other in their sounds, grammar, vocabulary, and patterns of discourse Languages have a considerable vocabulary available to meet the needs of its users 4
Languages define personal identities but are also part of a shared inheritance Each language has its own way of seeing the world and it s the product of its own history All languages have their individual identity and value, and they are equally adequate as ways of expression for the people who use them 5
Languages are related to each other like the members of a family Most of the languages in Europe can be grouped together, because of their common origins, as a single, large Indo- European language family The families in Europe with the most member-languages and the most speakers are the Germanic, Romance, and Slavic 6
All European citizens live in a multilingual environment In their daily routine citizens come across many different languages The consequence is a growing interest and curiosity about languages 7
Increasing popular knowledge and understanding of the diversity of the languages of Europe Enhancing linguistic tolerance within and between nations Improving knowledge of the factors affecting the maintenance and growth of languages 8
Languages are an instrument to improve mutual understanding and integration Knowledge of languages is a key factor of employability and mobility for citizens Languages remove barriers to interaction between cultures 9
It offers a wide range of actions designed to support language learning It promotes the linguistic and cultural diversity in Europe It provides access to high quality learning opportunities to everyone regardless of age or ability It encourages language learning in and out of school 10
EU citizens who can speak more than one foreign language and demonstrate the intercultural skills that this brings have more chances of obtaining a better job Encouraging exchanges, partnerships and e-twinning in education and training programmes 11
Living languages and cultures are constantly changing People influence each other in the way they speak and write Languages are always in contact with each other, and affect each other in many ways 12
ICT tools are a support for language learning and communication New media give languages new opportunities to grow ICT tools give us concrete ways to keep in touch with our friends around Europe The use of ICT for teaching and learning languages is improving 13
Technological progress permits virtually instant contact with anyone anywhere Learning foreign languages is the best way to get knowledge about other cultures, values and way of thinking The use of technologies and networking gives challenges of widening the choice of languages 14
Globalisation and advances in technology have produced many changes in European society Europeans now meet more and more people from other countries Growing numbers of Europeans live in a country other than their country of origin Ensuring intercultural communication is fundamental 15
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European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm EU Commission Multilingualism http://ec.europa.eu/education/languages/eulanguage-policy/doc99_en.htm Europe Languages and Europe http://europa.eu/languages/en/home Leonard Orban Multilingualism http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/orban/ index_en.htm Key documents http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/orban/ keydoc/keydoc_en.htm 17
Fiorenza Congedo ITIS Marconi, Verona fiorenza.congedo@istruzione.it Comenius Assistantship and etwinning Induction Meeting Rome, 13 November 2009 18