European Day of Languages 26th. September 2001

Press Release from ALL (Association for Language Learning)

It's time to talk

The new century brings with it renewed need for international and
intercultural communication, of which current events on the world
stage serve as a vivid reminder.

Within Europe the continuing importance of Languages for the
whole life experience of the individual citizen as well as the well-
being of society has been marked by the designation of 2001 as
the Year of Languages, and by the establishment of a Day of
Languages today.

The Association for Language Learning congratulates all of those
involved in the activities of the European Year and supports its aims,
not least through participation in events, conferences and discussions
locally, nationally and internationally.

ALL believes that learning to use other languages is an empowering,
enriching and enjoyable pursuit for all members of a modern society,
and that work needs to be done in the UK to overcome the ambivalence
still discernible in some sectors towards other languages and cultures.
We maintain that learning a language is not just an academic subject,
but that it is an activity in which citizens young and old enjoy being
involved in throughout their lives at different levels and for different
purposes, many of them highly practical and immensely enjoyable.
Learning and using a language is no longer a pursuit entirely reserved
for schools or other institutions, and linked only to examination scores,
but takes place in all sorts of contexts, including leisure situations,
work placements and visits to other countries and communities.

ALL congratulates the UK Government on its establishment of National
Steering and Working Groups on Languages in 2001 and looks forward
to participating in the development of strategy which reaches across the
life of the nation, not just in educational terms, but also in order to
maximise the contribution of languages to civic, economic, cultural and
intellectual developments, which affect all of our citizens throughout
our lives.

ALL urges the Government through that process to consider specifically
? the status of languages in public life
? the importance of creating opportunities for learning a wide range
of languages in the UK
? the value yet to be placed on the linguistic skills of our many
communities
? the joining-up of policy for languages throughout life

On this day in countries all across Europe people celebrate the
things which Languages bring into their lives:

? breaking barriers between people or peoples
? building relationships
? discovering new cultures, stories and histories
? adding to their understanding of human experience
? transacting business
? passing on ideas and memories

Within the UK as elsewhere there will be many enjoyable special
events, planned and prepared by teachers and learners of languages
with huge enthusiasm and energy.
We should not lose sight though of the fact that much of this same
energy goes into the work done by these people every day through-
out the year, and that moral and practical support for their efforts is
constantly needed.

Within the UK education system there are certain tensions to be
resolved, e.g.:
? the provision of language opportunities before age 11 is not
equitable
? in England and Wales the notion of disapplication from certain
subjects (including Languages) for certain learners and schools
seems bizarre in the face of the current initiative to include Languages
in the Key Stage 3 strategy
? likewise the development of a curriculum from ages 14-19 seems
to be constrained by the adherence to GCSE results at 16 being
required for Performance Tables
? retention of learners beyond age 16 with a Language entitlement
and with flexible routes into Further and Higher Education is a priority
? the motivation and retention of teachers of Languages (and of
a wider range of Languages) will require specific attention

Intercultural understanding, communication, entertainment, personal
and official contact and the maintenance of a human dimension in our
technological world are all celebrated today.
Once it is over we must retain at the forefront of our thoughts the
significance of the European Day of Languages.


Contacts:
Steven Fawkes, Past President of ALL
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Sharon Curry, Projects Manager
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01788 546 443



Notes to editors:
ALL is the UK membership association for teachers and other
professionals working with languages.
As well as organising local, regional and national events and
conferences for teachers and learners of languages the Association
hosts an annual major conference and exhibition Language World
and offers its members Language Learning Journal and journals
specific to language interests as well as a quarterly newsletter and
other support and information services at national and local
branch level.

ALL can be contacted at
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www.ALL-languages.org.uk
Tel: 01788 546 443
Fax: 01788 544 149