Conference Languages for social cohesion

Languages for social cohesion ECML Conference Graz,27-29 SEPT 2007 The European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe(ECML) is an institution whose mission is to encourage excellence and innovation in language teaching in order to help Europeans learn languages more efficently. The ECML was set up in Graz,Austria,in 1995 and it now numbers 33 member states. Through its medium-term programme consisting of projects,workshops and conferences,the ECML provides a platform for cooperation with experts,associations and institutions involved in enhancing European standards in language education. The Department of Language Education and Policy consists of two units,the ECML in Graz and the Language Policy Division in Strasbourg. Second medium-term programme «Languages for social cohesion:language education in a multilingual and multicultural Europe» It covers major concerns in the field of language education today: Coping with linguistic and social diversity Communication in a multicultural society Professional development and reference tools Innovative approaches and new technologies Coping with linguistic and social diversity Europe's community languages represent a rich resource both for the communities which speak them and for Europe as a whole. This project looks at «the school» as an institution within which the aims of plurilingualism and multiculturalism could be developed. The promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity is a truly internationally oriented education,designed to equip children to think and operate globally. Communication in a multicultural society:the development of intercultural communicative competences Language teacher education will include the skills needed to promote linguistic and cultural diversity for the construction of «democratic citizenship,social cohesion,mutual understanding and respect». Professional development and reference tools for language educators Pre-and in-service teacher education should help equip teachers with both the theoretical knowledge and pedagogical skills integrated into classroom-based learning. The European Language Portfolio(ELP) is one of the most popular recent innovations in language teaching and learning. Innovative approaches and new technologies in the teaching and learning of languages Web journals(also known as web logs or blogs) are a combination of personal web page and online diary. Blogs are useful tools in the hands of language teachers which promote collaborative writing,a social and intercultural dimension.