So, the European Year is not just about learning the most widely used languages in order to make international communication easier. If you really want to understand someone and appreciate their culture, you need to understand some of their native language. This cultural understanding is one of the many opportunities which language learning can bring. The foreign language speaker is better placed in the world of work and more able to reap the full benefits of European citizenship, especially the right to free movement within the European Union. Everybody can learn to speak or understand a new language, it is never too late or too early.
Language learning is a lifelong process.
Each participating country has chosen a National Coordinating Body , to organise its participation in the European Year, in cooperation with the European Commission and the Council of Europe. Simply get in touch with your National Coordinating Body to find out about the events and activities taking place in your country or region. Language teachers and trainers can use the European Year to help them tell people about their work and about the importance of learning languages. They can also learn about the work of others in the field. Journalists and the media are encouraged to cover activities during the European Year and to contribute to the debates inspired by the Year.