European Day of Languages 2020: Date, History & Objectives

European Day of Languages 2020

The European Day of Languages is 26 September, as proclaimed by the Council of Europe on 6 December 2001, at the end of the European Year of Languages, which had been jointly organized by the Council of Europe and the European Union. Its aim is to encourage language learning across Europe.

There are about 225 indigenous languages in Europe which is around 3% of the world’s total. Europeans increasingly come across foreign languages. There is a need to generate a greater interest in languages among European citizens. Proficiency in other languages is a vital skill that gives you the opportunity to engage with the world in a more immediate and meaningful way. When you get the opportunity to dive into another language, you not only gain the ability to interact more naturally with people of different cultures, also gain cognitive benefits that will stay with you through life.

You live a new life for every language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once

History Of European Day of Languages

European Day of Languages is celebrated across Europe on the 26th of September every year. It aims to encourage language learning across Europe and promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the wide variety of languages in Europe. It was set up by the Council of Europe and was first celebrated in 2001.

The Objectives Of The European Day of Languages

Language skills are a necessity and a right for everyone that is one of the main messages of the European Day of Languages. The general objectives of the European Day of Languages are:

1. Alert the public to the importance of language learning and raise awareness of the wide variety of languages in Europe.
2. Promote the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe.
3. Encourage people of all ages to learn languages.