The CEFR in the context of Council of Europe‘s work on languages Waldek Martyniuk ECML, Graz, Austria

Council of Europe set up 1949 by 10 member states in February 2009, the Council of Europe has 47 member states based in Strasbourg, France political international Organisation main bodies: Committee of Ministers, Parliamentary Assembly, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe and European Court of Human Rights. Guiding principles: democracy, human rights and rule of law.

Council of Europe and languages – institutions Language Policy Division (LPD) Language Policy Division (LPD) Strasbourg, France Strasbourg, France European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages Strasbourg, France European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) Graz, Austria

Council of Europe and language education – basic concepts Plurilingualism Plurilingualism Plurilingual education Plurilingual education Lifelong learning Lifelong learning Social cohesion Social cohesion Democratic citizenship Democratic citizenship Intercultural dialogue Intercultural dialogue

Council of Europe and language education – t he concept of plurilingualism expandable, individual language ability expandable, individual language ability competences of different kinds and levels for different purposes within a plurilingual repertoire (profile) competences of different kinds and levels for different purposes within a plurilingual repertoire (profile) building up – not multiplying competences building up – not multiplying competences global, coherent policy for all languages global, coherent policy for all languages

Council of Europe and languages – p olicy instruments European Convention on Human Rights (1950) European Convention on Human Rights (1950) European Cultural Convention (1954) European Cultural Convention (1954) European Charter for Minority or Regional Languages (1992) European Charter for Minority or Regional Languages (1992) Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (1995) Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (1995)

Council of Europe and languages – p olicy instruments Recommendation 98 (6) on modern languages Recommendation 98 (6) on modern languages Recommendation 2008 (7) on the use of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the promotion of plurilingualism Recommendation 2008 (7) on the use of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the promotion of plurilingualism

Council of Europe and language education – p olicy instruments and initiatives Modern Languages Project – ‚Threshold Level‘ specifications ( ) Modern Languages Project – ‚Threshold Level‘ specifications ( ) Guide for the Development of Language Education Policies + studies Guide for the Development of Language Education Policies + studies Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) European Language Portfolio (ELP) + supporting documents European Language Portfolio (ELP) + supporting documents

Council of Europe and language education – p olicy instruments and initiatives Reference Level Descriptions for national/regional languages Reference Level Descriptions for national/regional languages Language Education Policy Profiles Language Education Policy Profiles Manual for Relating Language Examinations to the CEFR + supporting materials Manual for Relating Language Examinations to the CEFR + supporting materials

Language Policies for Democratic Citizenship and Social Cohesion (2006-9) A platform of resources and references for language(s) in and of school education A platform of resources and references for language(s) in and of school education Language testing and migration – a framework of reference Language testing and migration – a framework of reference Curriculum reference framework for Romani Curriculum reference framework for Romani Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters A guide for CEFR-based curriculum development A guide for CEFR-based curriculum development A guide for CEFR-based test development A guide for CEFR-based test development

Languages for Social Cohesion – the ECML medium-term programme of activities projects, 4 thematic areas: 21 projects, 4 thematic areas: Coping with linguistic and social diversity Coping with linguistic and social diversity Communication in a multicultural society: the development of intercultural communicative competence Communication in a multicultural society: the development of intercultural communicative competence Professional development and reference tools for language educators Professional development and reference tools for language educators Innovative approaches and new technologies in the teaching and learning of languages Innovative approaches and new technologies in the teaching and learning of languages

Empowering Language Professionals – the ECML medium-term programme of activities projects, 4 thematic areas: 20 projects, 4 thematic areas: Evaluation Evaluation Continuity in language education Continuity in language education Content and language integrated learning Content and language integrated learning Plurilingual eduaction Plurilingual eduaction

More information on the Council of Europe language education policies, initiatives and instruments: Thank you for your kind attention!