European Day of Languages

The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated on the 26th September. On this day (or around this day) a number of schools celebrate the wealth of diversity in their schools/areas.

Pakistan Flag Although the national event is the European Day of Languages it can be used to celebrate the richness of diversity of the school community. Languages, food and dance from community cultures could be included.

The following activities can be used to celebrate the day in a variety of flexible ways. They could be used for an ‘off-timetable’ day or used to give an ordinary school day an international flavour.

The CILT website is useful source of further ideas: http://www.cilt.org.uk/edl/

Activity 1 – All school quiz

All tutor groups receive at the beginning of the day a group or individual quiz about languages or Europe. The CILT website offers examples from previous years.

http://www.cilt.org.uk/edl/quiz.htm

Another strategy would be for one group per Year to devise a different quiz for the other tutor groups.

Students to hand in quiz to one of the EDL organizers and the winners are awarded prizes.

Salsa Performance; Picture: www.dancestudios.ca

Activity 2 – Dance workshop

Often you will find a dance expert on the staff or among your parents and school community. Invite the person to put on a workshop of half an hour so that students learn a typical dance, such as Salsa, the Viennese waltz or dances from community cultures. Strictly Come Dancing has even inspired the boys!

Groups might prepare for or follow up this activity by researching the dances they are trying out.

Activity 3 – Link with local businesses

Many businesses have European links and there are opportunities to make connections. Here are two possibilities which have proved successful at the Cherwell School in Oxford.

a) French Bakery: On the EDL a group of students accompanied by their French teacher went to their local French Bakery to spend 30 minutes there ordering some French food / drinks. There was also an opportunity to see behind the scenes where the bread was being baked.

b) BMW workshop: BMW contributed to the day by bringing in a Mini at the beginning of the day so students could explore it during break and lunchtime. BMW apprentices helped by answering students’ questions. In the afternoon two apprentices ran a workshop with the students on the importance of languages in the world of business.

Activity 4 – Taster lessons

Schools often have a wide range of language expertise among the staff, students and parents. A range of short taster lessons in different languages could be organised for lunch time or make up part of an ‘off timetable’ day.

Activity 5 – School dinners with a difference

Give the whole school an international flavour by putting on a special menu for the day. Ask the canteen manager well in advance whether or not they are able to put on an international menu for the day.

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