CELEX: 51988PC0841
Language: en
Date: 1989-01-02
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION establishing the LINGUA programme to promote training in foreign languages in the European Community#Proposal for a Council Decision for the promotion of the teaching and learning of foreign languages in the European Community as part of the LINGUA programme#(submitted by the Commission)

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DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (88) 841
Vol. 1988/0274
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 ---pagebreak---      COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                      Y* ;*}
                                                           COM ( 88 ) 841 final
                    t>                                     Brussels , 6 January 1989
‘ I:
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                          Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION
                     establishing the LINGUA programme to
                     promote training in foreign languages
                                in the European Community
                         Proposal for a Council Decision
           for the promotion of the teaching and learning of
                  foreign languages in the European Community
                         as part of the LINGUA programme
                           ( submitted by the Commission )
/
  !
 ---pagebreak---                                         2
                                                            (jfr-vs.
 I.   INTRODUCTION
 1.   1992 and the urgent timetable for the completion of the Internal Market
      have helped put the spotlight on one of the crucial constraints in the
      construction of the Community , namely the need for many more people
      capable of working through at least two Community languages . Lack Lack of
                                                                               of
      foreign language skills is the Achilles Heel in the Community–wide
      effort to make the free movement of persons and ideas a practical
      reality . It is also a handicap to the increasing business and trading
      connexions within the Community .
2.   The Community Institutions are all concerned with the need to meet this
      challenge . The texts of the European Council , the Council , the European
     Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee which are cited in
     Annex I to this Explanatory Memorandum demonstrate beyond doubt the
     commitment of all Institutions to the need to improve foreign language
     teaching and learning .
3.   Despite the existence of various common declarations of principle on
     this subject over the years , the Commission considers that it is now
     urgent and necessary to launch a Community-wide initiative which could
     provide a strong new impetus to strengthen the practical measures taken
     in the different Member States .   The individual efforts of Member States
     in this field will , of course , continue in accordance with their own
     systems , and should be enriched and not in anyway constrained by any
     Community action . The added value of a Community initiative is widely
     perceived to be essential , both as a stimulus and complement to national
     efforts and as a means of extending the cross-frontier cooperation
     necessary to underpin actions by Member States .
4.   Earlier in 1988 , the Commission presented its analysis of the situation
     to the Council ( C0M(88 ) 203 Final ) and on 23 May 1988 the Council
     welcomed the Commission 's intention to present its proposals by the end
     of 1988 . Educationists and employers throughout Europe largely await
     this proposal which , when adopted , will stand as a central feature of
     the Community 's action in education and training for the medium term .
II . THE BACKGROUND
1.   In collaboration with the Education Committee , the Commission 's services
     produced a report on the policies and measures taken by Member States to
     promote foreign language teaching ( SEC(86 ) 202 ). The Commission also
     reDorted on
     reported  on  the discussions
                   the discussions held   with me
                                    held witn   the represem.ai-j.vcB
                                                     representatives ui
                                                                      of  Member
     States to identify possible guidelines and priorities for action both by
     Member States themselves and at Community level .
2.   The Commission has taken fully into account these preparatory analyses ,
     and the priorities and types of actions proposed for the LINGUA
     programme are entirely coherent with the recommendations set out in the
     report referred to above .
                                                                                  9,
 ---pagebreak---                                            3
 3.     Moreover , the Commission has taken inspiration from the catalytic impact
        already achieved by the ERASMUS programme in extending inter-university
        cooperation throughout the Community and in increasing substantially the
        mobility and exchange of students .
 III .  AIMS AND STRUCTURE OF THE LINGUA PROGRAMME
1.      The central aims of the LINGUA programme are as follows :
        (a)   to   increase  the   capacity   of citizens  of  the    Community  to
              communicate with each other by a quantitative        and qualitative
              improvement in   the teaching and learning of foreign languages
              within the European Community ;
        (b)   to ensure effective measures towards the provision ,          for the
              benefit of enterprises in the European Community , of the necessary
              levels of foreign language expertise in the present and future
              workforce in order to enable those enterprises to take full
              advantage of the internal market .
2.     The Commission has deliberately chosen to propose a strategy of action
       which involves the diversification of the foreign languages on offer in
        education and training programmes , rather than in promoting one or two
       priority languages .     Conscious of the rich diversity of European
       linguistic and cultural traditions , the Commission has taken the view
       that all the official languages of the Community should be more widely
       taught throughout the Community .
3.     Because of the increasing importance of foreign languages                for
       non-language specialists working in business , commerce or science ,     the
       Commission has therefore proposed measures designed to improve skills of
       communication .   This requires a substantial improvement in the quality
       and quantity of foreign language teachers and trainers , both present and
       future , and their training and preparation is therefore accorded high
       priority .
4.     The main thrust of the LINGUA programme lies therefore in the vocational
       training field . However , the Commission considers that action is equally
       necessary at school level , and that in particular well-organised pupil
       exchanges and visits abroad can contribute significantly to increasing
       the motivation and commitment of young people to learn other languages .
       For these reasons , the Commission has presented two decisions involving
       two different legal bases ,      although the intention is that all the
       actions taken should be developed in a coherent way in the framework of
       a single LINGUA programme .
5.     In both draft decisions the LINGUA programme comprises two complementary
       sets of measures . The first , and the most important , calls for the
       adoption by Member States of a set of common guidelines for the
       promotion of foreign language teaching within the Member States . The
       second comprises a series of supporting measures at Community level .
       Member States have been left all possible flexibility as to how to give
       effect to the common guidelines , as the Commission fully recognises the
       diversity of systems and arrangements which must necessarily be taken
       into account in the different Member States .
 ---pagebreak---                                                         4
  6.      Moreover , in view of ..the close l' XU5e interaction
                                                      interaction with the ERASMUS programme in
          o, articular. inw relation
                                  - :ion-     to
                                              to the
                                                   the
                                                   ^      initial
                                                          initial training
                                                          i,uuai     training of of future
                                                                                      future foreign
                                                                                                 foreign
           1 anguage teachers , the Commission envisages
           language                                        envisa^ that in practical terms it         it.
          v;ill
          wi 1 bee essential
                         essential to  to administer
                                           administer actions involving inter-university
          cooperation
            ,  , .         through
                             _         the ERASMUS
                                             - machinery .             This
                                                                       nus will    avoid unnecessary
                                                                             win avoia    unnecessary
          duplication of effort , and at the same time provide a clear focus for
          duplication of effort , and at the same tim<=> nr-rnH He =>                            _ r_
          the quantitative
          as
                                   and qualitative improvement
                 such m universities ( defined as including „n
                                                                 ienr of   foreign language
                                                                       oi loreign   language studies
                                                                                                 studies
          ao      ouu..   in     univei allies      ( Denned     as
                                                                 as    including     all types of
          post–secondary education and training establishments   stablishments ,,    including those
          involved in the training of teachers ,                 which
                                                                 which offer
                                                                          offer cqualifications and
          diplomas of that level ).
 7.       So far as the LINGUA programme is concerned , a first phase of 5 years
          ( 1990-1994 ); is proposed . Within this first p’phasese , it is envisaged that
          1990 would essentially be a year of preparation          ore           . The
                                                                                     The full-scale
                                                                                           full-scale
          operation of the LINGUA programme would not commence until the academic
         year
         year 1991 1991 /1992
                        /1992 ..    Experience
                                    Experience of of the
                                                       the COMETT
                                                             COMETT and
                                                                      and ERASMUS
                                                                            ERASMUS nrnorammps
                                                                                      programmes has has
          shown that a shorter duration militates against the effective build-up
         of the programme , by disrupting the continuity required by education and
         training institutions , and that it is impossible to come to                            to any
                                                                                                     any
         effective evaluation of a programme if the initial period of operation
         is limited to three years .
 IV .    BUDGET
The overall budget estimated as necessary for the LINGUA programme for the
first phase of 5 years amounts to 250 Mecus .                    The Commission considers that a
steady growth should be provided in the budget over that period , taking
account of the need for a relatively small sum for the preparatory year
 ( 1990 ).     The annual credits necessary to cover the Community contribution to
the actions provided for in the programme will be established in the annual
budgetary procedure ,            taking into account the results of the programme as well
as any new needs which may emerge during its implementation .
V. CONCLUSIONS
This Communication to the Council is accompanied by the two Decisions which
together constitute the LINGUA PROGRAMME . The Commission will report on the
functioning of the programme on an annual basis ,                     and will present a progress
report during the fourth year of its operation as well as , if appropriate , a
proposal to adapt it . The Conaaission emphasises that                at , if the programme is to
be launched effectively within the timetable proposed                 posed , the Council should
adopt the two Decisions proposed before the and of 1989                 1989 .. In this
                                                                                In        wav
                                                                                          way ,., this
                                                                                    this way       this
Community initiative can be seen by the citizens of the Community can be seen
as an important part of the process of dismantling the barriers between Member
States in view of the 1992 horizon .
                                                                                                          H
 ---pagebreak---  ANNEX I
 The Community 's Institutions and the teaching of foreign
 languages : 1976-1988
 I.    Introduction
       Over the 12 years , 1976-1988 , the Community 's Institutions have on a
       variety of occasions expressed the importance they attach to          the
       teaching of foreign languages within the European Community .
       Summaries of the more important texts issued on the Institutions are
       given below , as a record of this continuing interest .
II .   The European Council
1.     1983 European Council Stuttgart .
       In the Solemn Declaration on European Union ( 1 ) the Heads of State or
       Government in the section concerning cultural cooperation made
       specific reference to the need to promote , encourage and facilitate
       the teaching of the languages of the Member States of the Community .
2.     1985 European Council Milan .
       At this meeting of the European Council ,     the final Report of the
       Ad-Hoc Committee " On a People 's Europe " was adopted ( 2 ). This report
       refers to the essential contribution of the languages spoken in the
       Community to the richness and diversity of its cultural heritage and
       also contains the following points : the acquisition by its citizens of
       a practical knowledge of other Community languages has special
       importance and should be encouraged from an early age ; a maximum
       number of pupils should learn two foreign languages and should have
       the possibility to participate in exchanges and initial and in-service
       training opportunities should be made available in the country of the
       target language and the new information technologies should be fully
       exploited . The Committee recognised the valuable contribution to
       exchanges made by the linking of schools and proposed to the European
       Council that priority should be given to the removal of obstacles to
       exchanges between schools and the designation by Member States of a
       centre or department to provide advice and assistance to schools in
       finding the necessary contacts abroad and in organising exchanges .
( 1 ) Bulletin of the EC 6/83 , point 1.6.1 .
( 2 ) Bulletin of the EC 6/85 , point 1.4.1 .
 ---pagebreak---                                             2
III . The Council
1.     Resolution of the Council and Minister of Education meeting within the
       Council of 9 February 1976 ( OJ N° C38 of 19.2.76 )
       In the Council Resolution comprising an action programme in the field
       of
       of   education aa number
            education       number of
                                    of obiectives
                                        objectives rnnrprnino
                                                      concerning thothe toa teaching
                                                                                /'hinfr andand
       learning of foreign languages were listed . These included the
       opportunity to be made available to all pupils to learn at least one                one
       other Community language , the need for intending teachers to spend a
       period in a country of the target language and the promotion of
       language teaching outside the traditional school system . The Community
       undertook to organize consultations between those responsible for
       language teaching and       specialized   researchers    and   to     examine       the
       results of research into the methodology of language teaching . Member
       States were encouraged       to  develop   opportunities     for     teachers       and
       pupils      to  take   part  in   visits  and    exchanges    and      to      support
       arrangements for the exchange of language assistants .
2.     Conclusions of the Council and Ministers of Education meeting within
       the Council of 4 June 1984
       The Council and Ministers for Education considered it necessary to
       give a fresh impetus to the teaching and learning of foreign languages
       and the conclusions          of the meeting        included      a     number        of
       recommendations on the quality of foreign language teaching and the
       choice of languages on offer . Member States agreed to promote
       opportunities for pupils to acquire the skills of communication in two
       foreign languages before the end of compulsory education and to
       maintain these skills in vocational training , higher and adult
       education . Cooperation was encouraged between Member States in the
       initial and in-service training of language teachers , the exchange of
       language assistants , exchange arrangements for pupils and recognised
       study periods abroad for students in higher education . Information
       centres on aspects of language teaching were to be designated by
       Member States and the Commission undertook to set up arrangements for
       the exchange of views and experiences between the relevant sectors in
       Member States and to support the commissioning of reports and studies
       on various aspects of language teaching .
3.     Meetings of the Council and Ministers of Education within the Council
       in 1985 and 1988
       The    Council 's  Conclusions   of  27  September    1985   on
                                                                    on     the
                                                                           the     enhanced
                                                                                   enhanced
       treatment of the      European dimension in education , note the             need to
       take measures to     promote the teaching of foreign languages .             In
                                                                                    In 1988
                                                                                          1988
       the Council had a     preliminary discussion on foreign language            teaching
       on the basis of      a discussion document from the Commission               ( 3 ) and
       noted the Commission’s intention to         submit  proposals      for Community
       action in the second half of 1988 .
( 3 ) Corn ( 88 ) 203 final of 18/4/ 1988
                                                                                               b
 ---pagebreak---                                           3
 IV .   The European Parliament
 1.     Resolution of 11 February 1983 ( 4 )
        The European Parliament in its Resolution concerning language teaching
        in the Community called upon the Commission to implement where
        possible the objectives laid down in its 1976 action programme and to
        take steps to promote exchanges for pupils and teachers . It also
        called upon the Commission to encourage an exchange of information on
        the use of the new methods of language teaching and to submit an
        additional programme designed to improve foreign language teaching in
        schools and adult education .
2.      Resolution of 13 April 1984 ( 5 )
       The European Parliament in its Resolution on the use of languages in
        the Community re-affirmed the principle that all languages have an
        intrinsic value and asked that all measures in the field of language
        teaching at Community and Member State level aimed at promoting the
       use of Community languages should be encouraged . It called on Member
       States to recognize the teaching of one or more Community languages as
        important subjects from primary schools onwards and to facilitate
       initial and in-service training opportunities for language teachers in
       the countries of the languages they teach . It called on the Commission
       to examine ways of encouraging the exchange of young people and to
       submit proposals for cooperation between Member States on the initial
       and in-service training of teachers and new methods of language
       teaching .
3.     Resolution of 1988 ( 6 )
       The European Parliament in this Resolution on the teaching of
       Community languages in the European Commmunity ( which responds to the
       Commission 's discussion document mentioned in paragraph III . 3 )
       includes recommendations in support of exchanges for pupils and
       teachers in schools and vocational training , the use of the media in
       raising public awareness of the need to learr. foreign languages and
       the teaching of foreign languages from an early age .
( 4 ) OJ N° C68 , of 14/3/1983
( 5 ) OJ N° C127 , of 14/5/1984
( 6 ) OJ N° C , of
 ---pagebreak---                                              4
V.     Commission of the European Communities
       Proposal of 14 June 1978 for an Action programme on the teaching of
       Languages in the Community ( 7 )
       In its communication to the Council on the teaching of languages the
       Commission set out a plan which contained the following elements to be
       implemented by Member States and at Community level : initial and
       continuing training of foreign language teachers , the early teaching
       of foreign languages , the mobility of pupils , teaching foreign
       languages to less able pupils , to the 16-25 age group in full-time
       education and to adults for vocational purposes ; and the encouragement
       of teaching in schools through the medium of more than one language .
 ( 7 ) Com ( 78 ) 222 final of 14 / 6 / 1978
                                                                               g
 ---pagebreak---                         Draft Council Decision establishing the
                         " LINGUA Programme " to promote training
                    in foreign languages in the European Community
                         with complimentary measures in schools
  THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,          and
  in particular to Article 128 thereof :
  Having regard to Council Decision 63 /266 /EEC of 2 April 1963 laying down
  general principles for implementing a common vocational training policy1- and
  in particular the seventh principle thereof ,
  Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ,
                                                                 2
  Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament ,
                                                                            3
  Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ,
  Whereas   the   seventh principle    of Decision     63 /266 /EEC provides     that the
  suitable training of teachers and instructors ,            whose numbers should be
  increased and whose technical and teaching skills should be developed , shall
 be one of the basic factors of any effective vocational training policy ; and
 whereas its tenth principle provides that special measures may be taken in
 respect of special problems concerning specific sectors of activity or
 specific categories of persons ;
 Whereas the Treaty provides in Article 52 for the abolition of restrictions on
 the freedom of establishment ,         and in
                                        and   in Article
                                                  Article 5959 forfor the
                                                                      the abolition
                                                                            abolition on
                                                                                       on
 restrictions on the freedom to provide services ; and whereas the Treaty also
 provides for the establishment of freedom of movement of workers , and requires
 the Council to adopt the measures necessary for its establishment ; and whereas
 an increase in the capacity to communicate in foreign languages will further
 facilitate the achievement of these objectives ;
Whereas by Directive 77 /486 /EEC the Council has laid down measures to be taken
 for the initial training and further training of teachers to facilitate the
reception of children of migrant workers .
                                                                      4   „   . _ _ 5
Whereas the European Council has at its meetings in Stuttgart , Fontainebleau
    OJ N 0 63 , 20.4.1963 , p. 1338/63
3
555 23
    19 June
       and 241983
                June 1984
 ---pagebreak---                                               2
   and Milan6 , stressed the importance which must be attached to foreign language
   teaching within the Community ;
   Whereas the establishment of the Internal Market would be facilitated by the
   qualitative improvement of foreign language training within the Community to
   enable the Community 's citizens to communicate with each other' and     and to
                                                                                to overcome
                                                                                     overcome
   linguistic   difficulties
   services and capital ;
                               which   impede the free movement of personspersons ,,   orods
                                                                                       gcods ,
                                                                                       "       *
  Whereas the Commission has decided to implement a strategy for the eliminaii >-i
  of restrictions on grounds of nationality to the free   ee movement
                                                              movement of   of workers
                                                                               workers from
                                                                                          from
  other Member States to posts in certain particular partsparts of  of the
                                                                        the public
                                                                             public sector
                                                                                      sector ;;
  whereas teaching in State educational establishments    nents is    is considered
                                                                         considered as   as aa
  priority area for action ; whereas , therefore ,.       the
                                                          the LINGUA
                                                                 LINGUA programme could
  contribute to the achievement of this objective ;
  Whereas the different Community Programmes , notably ERASMUS7 and COMETT88
  "Youth ^r Europe " and the Third Joint Programme for the Exchange of Young
  Workers     will not fully achieve their stated objectives without accompanying
  measures to promote training in foreign languages and need to be complemented
  by such measures in the field of vocational training ;
  Whereas the Council has provided , by Decision . ../         •  • •   for complementary
                                                                        for   complementary
  principles and measures to promote the teaching and learning of foreign
  languages in schools ;
  Whereas the estimated amount required to finance the Community contribution to
  the LINGUA programme in the 5-year period 1990-1994 is 250 million Ecus :
 HAS ADOPTED THE PRESENT DECISION
 Article 1
 The European Community Action Scheme for the the promotion of training in
 foreign languages is hereby established , to be known as the LINGUA Programme .
 The LINGUA programme shall be implemented with effect from 1 January 1990 ,
 with an initial phase of 5 years lasting until 31 December 1994 .
 Article 2
 In the context of the LINGUA programme , the term 'university 1 shall be used to
 cover all types of post-secondary education and training establishments ,
 including establishments involved in the training of teachers , which offer ,
 where appropriate within the framework of advanced training , qualifications
 and diplomas of that level ,      whatever such establishments may be called in the
 Member States .
                                                                                                  !
 Foreign language training in the context of this Decision shall refer only to
 training in the official languages of the European Community .                                  s
 ° 28 and 29 June 1985
 ^ 0J L 166 of 25.6.1987 , p. 20
g* 0J
    0J LL 158
          222 of
              of 8.8.1986
                  25.6.1988, p. 17
     0J L 331 of 19.12.1984
 ---pagebreak---                                                3
  Artide 3
  The principal objectives of the LINGUA Programme shall be as follows :
  ( a ) to promote a quantitative and qualitative improvement in foreign language
         training within the European Community ;
  ( b ) to ensure effective measures towards the provision , for the benefit of
         enterprises in the European Community , of the necessary levels of foreign
         language expertise in the present and future workforce in order to enable
         those enterprises to take full advantage of the internal market ;
 In particular , the LINGUA programme shall be designed to provide a complemen-
                                                                           complemen¬
 tary and catalytic contribution to the policies undertaken within Member
 States to :
         (i)     increase opportunities for the teaching and learning of foreign
                 languages in the Community in vocational training programmes , and in
                 particular to encourage the teaching and learning of the less widely
                 used languages of the Community ;
         ( ii )  raise the quality and standards of provision in this field ,       by
                 improving the initial and in-service training of foreign language
                 teachers and trainers , including appropriate preparation abroad ;
        ( iii ) promote innovation in methods of foreign language training ,    and in
                                                                                and
                 the exploitation of communications technologies for this purpose .
Article 4
The LINGUA Programme shall comprise :
 ( a ) a common framework of principles for the promotion of foreign         language
        training in the European Community , as set out in Article 5 ;
( b ) a series of measures to be implemented at Community level ,       as set
                                                                        as set out
                                                                                out in
                                                                                    in
        the Annex to this Decision , and as such designed to provide added value to
        measures taken by and within Member States .
( c ) the further principles and measures to be undertaken in accordance with
        Council Decision N° .../... .
                                   • • •
Article 5
The measures forming part of the LINGUA programme to be implemented by the
Commission under Article 6 of this Decision should support and complement
those activities of Member States which comply with the general principles for
implementing a common vocational training policy and which are intended in
Darticular to :
(i)         encourage young people to acquire a working knowledge of two Community
            languages in addition to their mother tongue / s as a component of their
            initial vocational education and training and in their preparation for
            working life ;
 ---pagebreak---                                                 д
  ( ii )   promote the provision of opportunities for university students who so
          wish to combine foreign language studies with the pursuit of their main
           discipline/s , as an integral and recognised component of their degree ,
           diploma or other qualification ;
 ( iii )  encourage arrangements which permit intending foreign language teachers
          to spend a recognised period of study and preparation during their                their
          initial training of at least six months duration in a country whose
          language(s ) they intend to teach ;
 ( iv )   encourage arrangements which permit practising foreign language teachers
          to spend , on a regular basis , recognised periods of further education
          and training or professional experience in the Member State /s the
          language or languages of which they teach ;
 (v)      encourage employers to make appropriate provision for language learning
          in training programmes at the work place .
          The Member States shall provide a report on their activities in this
          field in the implementation of these principles and measures not later
          than 31 December 1992 , and again not later than 31 December 1994 .
Article 6
To give a significant Community impetus to the efforts of Member States to
raise the quality and standards of foreign language training ,                           and in
particular the initial and in-service training of foreign language teachers
and trainers , the Commission shall implement a series of supporting measures
as set out in the Annex .          In implementing these measures , account shall be
taken by the Commission of the need to meet the differing needs and situations
of all Member States ,       with particular regard to less widely taught and less
widely used languages in the Community .
Artide 7
1.     The Commission shall implement the " LINGUA " programme in conformity with
       this Decision and this Annex , and taking account also of the principles
       and measures established by Council Decision N° .../...• • • / • •  • .
2.     In performing this task ,     the
                                     the Commission
                                           Commission shall
                                                       shall be
                                                             be assisted
                                                                    assisted by  by aa committee
                                                                                       committee
       of an advisory nature .          The committee shall be composed of two
       representatives from each Member State , appointed by the Commission on the
       basis of proposals from the Member State concerned ,               one of
                                                                          one  of whom
                                                                                  whom shall
                                                                                        shall be
                                                                                               be
       drawn from the educational community .         Members of the committee may be
       assisted by experts or advisers ,          The committee shall be chaired by a
       representative of the Commission ,        The secretariat of the committee shall
       be provided by the Commission .
3 . The Commission may consult the committee on all questions concerning the
       implementation of the programme . The Commission shall consult the
       committee on the general approach concerning the measures provided for by
       the LINGUA programme , and in particular on the balanced development of the
       programme as a whole , taking into account the need to promote the use of
       all Community
       all   Community languages
                       languages .. The      committee snau
                                       j.he commirree   shall aj.so
                                                               also be    ue consulted on the
       pval nabi on of the programme
       evaluation          Droeramme and serve as the platform for reviewing the
       development of national policies and practices in this field .
                                                                                                  M
 ---pagebreak---                                           5
 4.  The renresentat i ve of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft
     of the measures to be taken .                                      ODinion on
                                      The committee shall deliver its opinion
     the draft , within a limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the
     urgency of the matter , if necessary by taking a vote . The opinion shall be
     recorded in the minutes .    In addition ,. each Member State shall have the
     right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes .
 5.  The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by
     the committee .   It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its
     opinion has been taken into account .
 6.  The committee 's deliberations shall be confidential ,    The committee shall
     adopt its own rules of procedures .
 Article 8
 The annual credits necessary to cover the Community contribution to the
 actions provided for in the programme will be established in the annual
budgetary procedure , taking into account the results of the programme as well
 as any new needs which may emerge during its operation .
Article 9
The Commission shall see to it that there is consistency and complementarity
between the Community actions to be developed under the LINGUA Programme and
other Community programmes involving vocational training and the mobility and
exchange of persons , in particular the ERASMUS , COMETT and " Youth for Europe "
programmes and the Third Lrd Joint Programme for the Exchange of Young Workers ,.
The Commission shall maintain contact as appropriate with international
organisations active in this field .
Article 10
An annual report on the functioning of the LINGUA programme shall be submitted
by the Commission to the Council , the European Parliament and the Economic and
Social Committee .
Article 11
The Commission shall submit a progress report on        the implementation of the
LINGUA programme to the Council and the European Parliament during the fourth
year of its operation , as well as , if appropriate , a proposal to adapt it .
This report shall incorporate reports from each Member State on the measures
taken to implement the objectives of Article 3 and in particular on those
relating to the common principles set out in Article 5 .        The Council shall
decide on such a proposal not later than 30 June 1994 .
Article 12
This Decision is addressed to the Member States .
 ---pagebreak---                                         ANNEX
                                      ACTION     I
                             Measures to promote the
               continuing training of foreign language teachers
1. Financial aid will be provided through the body or bodies in each Member
   State designated in accordance with Article 6 of Council Decision              • f
   to support the expansion of in-service training for foreign language
   teachers and for those involved in teacher-training , or the organisation
   of foreign language teaching , as well as supporting their role in creating
   appropriate   frameworks    for the    exchange of young people       within the
   Community . The aim shall be to enable the participation in in-service
   training projects , including those in other Member States , of not less
   than 10% of the foreign language teachers and teacher-trainers within the
   European Community during the first phase of the LINGUA programme . Aid
   shall be provided specifically to offset the costs incurred by individual
   foreign language teachers engaged in activities to improve the quality of
   their teaching and the learning opportunities they can offer to their
   students .
2. In calculating the annual block grant to be allocated to each Member State
   for this purpose , quantitative objectives will be assigned in relation to
   the number of language teachers involved , the size of the youth population
   aged 21 years and under , and the geographical distance between Member
   States . The maximum grant per beneficiary will be of 1.500 EUCs .
3. In the allocation of grants , priority will be given to in-service training
   activities for foreign language teachers and trainers which enable them :
   -   to improve their skills of communication in the language and their
       knowledge of the culture of the host Member State ;
       to establish and develop educational exchanges as        as referred
                                                                    referred to
                                                                              to m
                                                                                 in
       paragraph B below, by setting up on behalf of their own vocational
       education and
       éducation     and training institutions cooperative arrangements with
       institutions in other Member States designed to improve the quality of
       foreign language teaching ( for example , in the preparation of
       materials ,,
       materials       arrangements for
                       arrangements   for in individual placements for students ,
       nrnvision for
       provision    for teacher
                        teacher exchange
                                 exchange ,,   computer
                                               <        links , joint projects with
       partner institutions abroad , etc ).
                                                                                      J*
 ---pagebreak---                                                2
                                            ACTION II
            Development of the network for university cooperation to incorporate
                                 specific measures to promote
             the learning of foreign languages in universities , and to develop
                                                g3
                             the initial training and préparation
                                  of foreign language teachers
 1 . The Community will develop the European network for university cooperation ,
     established under the terms of the ERASMUS programme , so as to stimulate
     Community-wide mobility of students specialising in foreign language
     studies or taking foreign languages in conjunction with smother discipline ,
     and in particular to promote the initial training of foreign language
     teachers in accordance with the guideline set out in Article 5 ( iv ) of the
     Decision .     This action , which will be coherent with the ERASMUS programme
     and be administered on a coordinated basis with it ., will consist of the
     following measures :
      ( a ) Inter-university coopération programmes
      ( b ) Student grants
     ( c ) Grants for mobility and exchange of teachers and trainers .
     Inter-University Coopération Programmes
2 . Each inter-university cooperation programme to be supported under the
     LINGUA programme will be designed to give the students concerned the
     opportunity to undertake a recognized period of study in at least one other
     Member State ,      as an
                         as   an integral part of their diploma and/or academic
     qualification .              lupport of each agreement ,
                            In support                            the participating
     institutions will each be able to receive support up to an annual ceiling
     amount of ECUs 25.000 normally for an estimated period of 3 years ; the
     amount granted will be calculated on the basis of an assessment of the
     detailed estimate submitted by the institutions concerned .
     Student grants
3 . The Community will provide funds for the direct financial support of
     students in foreign language studies at universities , including especially
     those preparing to serve as foreign language teachers , to enable them to
     carry out a period of study in another Member State within the framework of
     the European network as defined in Paragraph 1 of this Action .
 ---pagebreak---                                                                3
         iiiriavelnre®ardfator
                        .
         European network     , as it   . th^   number
                                                numDer ^
                                            develops      ol student*
                                                         and     students        aVailable' the Community
                                                                             to be exchangedB      within the1- 6
         _o non
             nnn per year .       AA. 7Lbasic
                                            .     iops
                                                    1    and     Wl11
                                                                 win    assume  an  average    grant    of ECUs
         3.0.0 per year .
         3.000                    A basic minimum number of 150 grants will normally be
                                                 mini mum      nnmhor   ^-T ten _ x. -
        provided each year to each Member State and , having regard to the
        etch
        each Sembe^
                 Member St    T* on the basis
                          State                   netW°rk
                                                      of the’ ^itional
                                                                  application grants
                                                                                of the will   be provided
                                                                                        following      : totalto
        number of students studying foreign languages at universities as defined in
        Article 2 of the Decision as well as the total number of 18 to 25 years
        olds m each Member State . Member States will ensure that the distribution
        of grants encourages the diversification of foreign languages studied                  studied ..
 5 . The Community grants to students will              win be    De administered
                                                                      administered through the competent
       authorities in Member States , already designated by Member States in the
       framework of the ERASMUS programme              mme ...
                                               programme           Th
                                                                   The* competent authorities in Member
       States will issue grants up to a maximum of ECUs 6.000                    000 to each student , on
       the basis of a stay abroad of one academic year ,                         sub
                                                                                 subject  to the following
       conditions :
        ( a ) the grants will contribute to the additional                additional costs
                                                                                       costs of of mobility
                                                                                                      mobility
               ( including travel costs );
       ( b ) priority will be given to students on courses which are part of the
              European network
                             etwork ,       and who intend to qualify as foreign language
               teachers ,    but grants may also be provided within the framework of the
              network' for students of foreign languages who may intend to pursue
              other careers ;
       ( c ) grants will be awarded only in cases where the period of study to be
              spent in another Member State will be granted full recognition by the
              student 's home university ;
      ( d ) no tuition fees     es will be charged by the host university and ,                           where
              appropriate ,     grant holders will continue to pay tuition fees at their
              home university ;
      ( e ) grants will normally be awarded for periods of study in another Member                                   !
              State of not less than 6 months' duration . They will not be awarded for                               !
              the first year of university study ;
      ( f ) maintenance grants and loans available to students in their home Member
              State will continue to be paid in full to students during their period
              of study abroad at the host university .
Grants          for   mobility       and      exchange    of       teachers    and   trainerB     in    higher
education
6 . The        Community     will       provide     support        for    teaching staff and         trainers
    concerned within the teaching of foreign languages to visit other Member
    States :
     . to        enable them to plan and prepare inte                      inter-university     coopération
           prograrranes with partners in other Member States ,
                                                                                                                  J6
 ---pagebreak---                                          4
     . to prepare in particular the conditions necessary for the exchange of
       students and for the recognition of the periods of study accomplished
       abroad ,
     . to exchange experience on the latest developments with regard to the
       methodology of foreign language teaching ,
    . to gain European experience in the organisation of the initial training
       of foreign language teachers .
7 . Support will also be provided by the Community to encourage greater
    mobility of teaching staff concerned with foreign languages in the
    Community so as to assist in the development of integrated courses and to
    enable teachers and /or trainers to teach for a period in the universities
    of the different Member States ,     within the framework of the European
    network .
 ---pagebreak---                                               5 -
                                         ACTION III
                           Measures to promote the development
                      of foreign language teaching and learning
                                     in economic life
 A.     The Community will provide support for the development and dissemination
        of foreign language 1992 audits", designed to enable enterprises ,
        particularly the small and medium–sized enterprises , to specify the
        extent of their foreign language needs and training requirements . This
        support will initially take the form of a survey of such techniques
        current in the Member States , followed by developmental activities
        involving a reasonable sample of companies .
5.1 .   The Community will also provide support on a pilot basis for the
        development of specific foreign language training materials    materials forfor
        different sectors of economic life , such as the commercial and legal
        sectors , in the various languages of the Community . Priority will be
        given in the first instance to a survey of economic sectors likely to
        develop greater foreign language needs in view of the establishment of
        the Internal Market by 1992 .      Experience of other Community programmes ,
       such as EUROTRA , will be taken into account .
   2.  Support will be made available for the development of such teaching
       materials . Priority will be given to sectors of economic life in which :
       - demand for foreign language training is expected to increase heavily ;
       - small and medium sized enterprises are strongly represented ;
       - the new or advanced technologies are involved .
   3.  Joint applications for support will be invited from institutions in at
       least two Member States and must show clear evidence of user involvement
       and the potential of their proposal for wider use .       In an initial phase ,
       work on not more than three economic sectors will commence in each year .
       This activity will commence in 1991 .
C.l .  In collaboration with representatives of the relevant profession or
       economic sector , support will be given to institutions responsible for
       curriculum development and certification in Member States , for        for the
                                                                                   the
       development of foreign     in language qualifications specific to that
       profession or sector , and of the courses and materials leading to those
       qualifications .
   2 . Joint applications from the bodies mentioned in section 1 above will be
       invited for support , building on the work carried out under paragraph B
       of this
       of  this Action
                 Action ..  Activities
                            Activities under   this paragrapn
                                        under this  paragraph win
                                                              will commence
                                                                   commence in
                                                                             in issn
                                                                                 1992 ,,
       and not more than four new sectors will be supported in each Community
       language in each year .
 ---pagebreak---                                                6
 Г) .       In collaboration with representatives from the economic sector ,     the
           Commission will provide support for the setting up of an exchange and
           mobility scheme for representatives of small            and medium sized
           enterprises and for those involved in language training in economic life
           in order to support the learning of foreign languages in companies .
 E.I.      Grants will be made available by the Commission to projects involving at
           least two Member States which demonstrate the potential of open learning
           methods for foreign language teaching ( including the use of satellites ,
           broadcasting , new methods of multimedia communication , etc .), with
           particular reference to :
      ( a ) the development of materials to accelerate the linguistic induction of
             visiting students not specialising in foreign languages into the host
             country ;
      ( b ) the development of new approaches to the use of the new information
             technologies and the media for the teaching and learning of foreign
             languages so asas to facilitate the possibilities for individualised
             instruction on an intensive basis .
E.2 .        The projects to be supported by the Community ,        whether they are
             submitted through the Academies or directly by the promoter , will be
             expected to demonstrate the added value of the cooperation proposed and
             the innovative potential to achieve higher standards of communication
             in this field . Preference will also be given to projects that can
             demonstrate their multiplier potential , not only in their own Member
             State , but also across national frontiers . Community support will not
             normally exceed 50% of the costs of projects approved . In this context
             account will be taken by the Commission of potential linkages with
             other programmes , such as DELTA , MEDIA and COMETT .
F.         The activities to be supported under this Action will be carried out in
           collaboration with the Academies .
                                                                                     J3
 ---pagebreak---                                    7 -
                               Action IV
                         Complementary measures
1. The necessary technical assistance will be provided at Community level
   to underpin the activities undertaken under the LINGUA programme as a
   whole , taking into account the need to promote a balanced development
   which encourages the teaching of all Community languages . Furthermore ,
   specific provision will be made by the Commission for the animation and
   continuing evaluation of the LINGUA programme and for the dissemination
   through all the Community languages of experience arising from it .
                                                                            ZP
 ---pagebreak---                     Draft Council Decision for the promotion
                          of the teaching and learning of
                              foreign languages in the
                                 European Community
                         as part of the LINGUA programme .
 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European . Economic Community , and
 in particular to Article 235 thereof :
 Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ,
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament^,
                                                                    2
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ,
Whereas the principles established by Article 2 of the Treaty of Rome include
the task for the Community to promote closer relations between the States
belonging to it ;
Whereas the Treaty provides for the establishment cf freedom of movement of
workers , and requires the Council to adopt the measures necessary for its
establishment , and whereas the teaching and learning of foreign languages is
an essential prerequisite for the removal of remaining obstacles to the free
movement of workers ;
                                                                O
Whereas the Council has provided under Regulation 1612 /68/EEC    for workers and
the self-employed who exercise the right of free movement to another Member
State to be accompanied by their dependent family ;
Whereas by Directive 77 /486 /EEC the Council has laid down measures to be taken
to promote the teaching of the mother tongue and culture of the country of
origin to the children of migrant workers ;
Whereas  the European Council has , in^the Solemn Declaration on European Uniog
adopted at its meeting in Stuttgart , and at its meetings at Fontainebleau
and Milan0 where it adopted the Adonnino report on measures required to
achieve a " Peoples' Europe ", stressed the importance which must be attached to
foreign language teaching and learning within the Community ;
1
2
^ OJ L 257 of 19.10.1968
g 19 June 1983
    23 and 24 June 1984
    28 and 29 June 1985
                                                                                  2/
 ---pagebreak---                                            2
 Whereas the Council and Ministers of Education meeting within the Council ,         in
                                                                                     in
 adopting on 9.2.1976 an action programme in the field of education7 , selected
 the teaching of foreign languages as an appropriate area for Community
 activity and whereas at their meeting on 4.6.1984 they agreed to promote all
 appropriate measures to enable the maximum number of pupils to aquire , before
 the end of compulsory education , a practical knowledge of two languages in
 addition to their mother tongue ;
 Whereas the establishment of the Internal Market required by the Single
 European Act calls for an extension of the capacity of workers , the               the
 self-employed and their families accompanying them to communicate with their
 counterparts in other Member States ;         and thus obliges the Community
 institutions and the Member States to increase efforts to enable the growth of
 a proper understanding between citizens by providing increased opportunities
 for foreign language teaching and learning ;
Whereas the development of the commercial policy with regard to third
 countries provided for by article 110-116 of the EEC Treaty requires an
extension of the linguistic competence in Community and extra-Community
 languages ;
                                                                      8   . _9
Whereas the different Community Programmes , notably ERASMUS and COMETT and
 " Youth for Europe "  ,   will benefit from accompanying measures to promote the
teaching and learning of all Community languages within schools ;
Whereas the Council has provided , by Decision N°   • • • / • • • for the establishment
of the LINGUA programme , including measures to promote foreign languages in
vocational training programmes and whereas this programme needs to be
complemented by measures in schools ;
Whereas the estimated amount required to finance the Community contribution to
the LINGUA programme in the 5-year period 1990-1994 is 250 million Ecus ;
Whereas the Treaty has not provided the necessary specific powers ;
HAS ADOPTED THE PRESENT DECISION
Article 1
The principles and measures for the promotion of the teaching and learning of
foreign languages in the European Community , set out in this Decision , are
hereby established .      They shall support actions taken under the European
Community Action Scheme for the promotion of training in foreign languages
 ( the LINGUA programme ) and shall be implemented in close coordination with it .
The first phase of implementation of these principles and measures shall
commence on 1 January 1990 and last for 5 years .
Article 2
Foreign language teaching in the context of this Decision shall refer only to
the teaching of the official languages of the European Community .
     0J C 38 of 19.2.1976
8
q 0J L 166 of 25.6.1987 , p. 20
.    0J L 222 of 8.8.1986 , p. 17
      OJ L 158 of 25.6.1988
                                                                                        VL
 ---pagebreak---                                            3
 Artide 3
 The principal objectives of the principles and measures established by this
Decision shall be as follows :
 ( a ) to increase the capacity of citizens of the Community to communicate with
       each other by a quantitative and qualitative improvement in the teaching
       and learning of foreign languages within the European Community ;
 ( b ) to ensure effective measures towards the provision ,      for the benefit of
       enterprises in the European Community , of the necessary levels of foreign
       language expertise in the present and future workforce in order to enable
       those enterprises to take full advantage of the internal market ;
In particular , they shall be designed to provide a complementary and catalytic
contribution to the policies taken within Member States to :
       U)    increase opportunities for the teaching and learning of foreign
             languages in the Community ,     and in particular to encourage the
             teaching and learning of the less widely used languages of the
             Community ;
       (U)   increase the motivation of the citizens of the Community , especially
             young people ,     to learn foreign languages ,     by encouraging in
                                                                 inication ,
             particular the acquisition of skills of communication              and by
             increasing the value placed on competence in foreign languages as a
             necessary component of vocational and academic qualifications .
Article 4
The principles and measures established by this Decision shall comprise :
( a ) a common framework of principles for the promotion of the teaching and
       learning of foreign    languages in the European Community , as as set
                                                                           set out
                                                                                 out in
                                                                                     in
       Article 5 ;
( b ) a series of measures to be implemented at Community level , as   as set
                                                                           set out
                                                                                 out in
                                                                                     in
       the Annex to this Decision , and as such designed to provide an added value
       to measures taken by and within Member States in this field , without   without
       inhibiting their autonomous development .
Article 5
So as to achieve the objectives of this Decision ,      by a concerted approach in
this field , competent authorities in Member States shall promote the following
common principles :
(i)      that all young people shall be encouraged to study at least one foreign
         language during the period of full-time compulsory education , with    with aa
         view to acquiring the necessary skills of communication       n ,   and   that
         measures will be promoted to provide young people who so wish wish with
                                                                              with the
                                                                                    the
         opportunity to acquire a working knowledge of two Community languages in
         addition to their mother tongue /s during this period .
(Ü)      that curricula at all levels of general education in Member States shall
         give increased priority to the acquisition of the communicative skills
         in foreign languages ;
                                                                                        23
 ---pagebreak---                                                    4
 ( lii ) that incentives should be provided to enable pupils and young people to
         participate in organised educational exchanges ,               integrated within the
          curricula of the educational systems ;
( iv      that where appropriate  te ,    t\
                                          the conditions       of access of young people to
         universities     shall   include
                                  include evidence of           competence in at at least
                                                                                      least one
                                                                                              one
         Community language ,       other
                                    other that their mother tongue /s , in        in the
                                                                                       the final
                                                                                            final
         school-leaving examinations .
Article 6
Member States shall designate ,             or if necessary create ,        an institution or
institutions
institutions       to
                   to  be
                       be   known
                            known   as
                                    as    the European Community Academy for foreign
language teaching , which shall be responsible for promoting the objectives of
this Decision ana  and one
                        the aims oiof the LINGUA programme , by providing information
and advice on the development of foreign language teaching and on
opportunities for educational exchange , and by cooperating with the Academies
designated in other Member States through a Community-wide clearing-house for
educational exchanges and the transfer of experience and materials in the
field of foreign language teaching .
Article 7
To give a significant Community impetus to the efforts to be pursued by Member
States to raise the quality and standards of foreign language teaching , the
Commission shall implement a series of supporting measures as set out in the
Annex .       In implementing these measures ,              account shall be taken by the
Commission of the need to meet the differing needs and situations of all
Member States , with particular regard to less widely taught and less widely
used languages in the Community .
Artide 8
1.    The Commission shall implement the LINGUA programme in conformity with
      this Decision and its Annex , and taking account also of the principles and
      actions established by Council Decision N° . ..// .
2.    In performing this task , the Commission shall be assisted by the committee
      of an advisory nature , established under Article 8 of Council Decision
3.    The Commission may consult the committee on all questions concerning the
      i mnl ementation
      implementation      of
                          of   this
                               this    Decision
                                       Decision ..     The
                                                       The   Commission
                                                             Commission    shall
                                                                           shall   consult
                                                                                   consult    the
                                                                                              tne
      committee on the general approach concerning the measures provided for by
      this Decision
      this   Decision ,, and
                           and in
                                in particular
                                    particular on    on the
                                                         the balanced    development oi
                                                              oaiancea aeveiopmenc      of tnese
                                                                                           these
      measures in the context of the LINGUA programme as a whole ,                  taking into
      account the need to promote the teaching of all Community languages .                   The
                                                                                              The
      Committee shall also be consulted on the evaluation of the measures and
      serve as
      serve   as the
                  tne platform
                      piatiorm forior reviewing
                                        r             the development of national policies
      and practices in this field .
Article 9
The     annual  credits    necessary to       cover
                                              cover    the
                                                       the Community
                                                             Gommunioy contribution
                                                                         contriDuuon to the
actions provided for in the programme                  will
                                                       will be established in
                                                              be  established   in the
                                                                                     the annual
                                                                                          annual
budgetary procedure , taking into account the results of the programme as well
as any new needs which may emerge during its implementation .
                                                                                                  VK
 ---pagebreak---                                         5
Artide 10
An annual report on the functioning of the LINGUA programme shall be submitted
by the Commission to the Council , the European Parliament and the Economic and
Social Committee . This report shall incorporate reports from each Member State
on the measures taken to implement the objectives of Article 3 and in
particular on those relating to the common principles set out in Article 5 .
Article 11
This Decision is addressed to the Member States .
                                                                                 /
                                                                                F
 ---pagebreak---                                           ANNEX
»
                                         ACTION I
                   Measures to promote the development of educational
                     exchanges for young people within the Community
  A.l     Financial aid will be provided to a designated body ( or bodies ) in each
          Member State to support the development of educational exchanges of a
          minimum of 14 days organised as an integral part of school and
          vocational training programmes for young people and which are excluded
          from the terms of the "Youth for Europe" programme1 . The aim shall be to
          provide a stimulus to the efforts taken within Member States to enable
          the participation in 1991 of young people , normally aged between 13 and
          18 years , from 5% of schools in the Community , rising to 20% in 1994 .
          Aid for exchanges shall not normally exceed 50% of the total expenses
          incurred ( journey and programme ) but in certain justified cases the aid
          may cover up to      a maximum of 75% . After consulting the committee
          mentioned   in  Article  8 of the Decision and     taking account of the
          experience of the "Youth for Europe " programme , the Commission shall
          establish the criteria for granting this higher rate of aid . The
          calculation of aid to be allocated to each Member State in the form of a
          black grant will take account of :
                the number of young people within the age limits defined above in
                its population ;
                the average resources available to young people in each Member
                State as measured by gross domestic product per head in relation
                to the Community average ;
                the geographical distance between Member States ;
                the establishment of a better balance in the flow of exchanges
                within the Community .
      2 . In the allocation of grants , priority will be given to exchanges which :
                provide    specifically  for   the improvement   of tne
                                                                 oi  the skills
                                                                         SKIIIS  of
                                                                                 oi
                communication in foreign languages ;
                offer opportunities to gain insights into working life in the host
                Member State ;
                are designed for young people who have difficulties in learning
                languages , lack motivation or otherwise fail to see the relevance
                of combining foreign languages with specific vocational skills ;
                support the learning of less widely used and less widely taught
                languages in the Community .
  1 Council Decision N° 88/348/EEC of 16.6.88 ; 0J N° L 158 of 25.6.88
                                                                                    26
 ---pagebreak---                                              2 -
     3 . Aid will also be provided through the bodies mentioned in paragrph 1
          above for the operation of a scheme of visits preparatory to these
          exchanges ,   to be   carried out by those   involved in   the institutions
          concerned . The average contribution will be ECUs 500 per visit .
B.I.      Financial aid will be provided on an experimental basis during the
          initial phase of the LINGUA programme , to support the diversification of
          foreign language teaching and learning through assistance in the
          development and exchange of teaching materials        for the less widely
          taught languages .
   2.    Joint applications will be invited from institutions in more than one
         Member State
                   State submitting a three-year development plan for the
         elaboration of the;he teaching materials referred to above . During a first
         phase , not more than four projects will be supported for each language .
   3.    Applications may be submitted by the body ( or bodies ) designated by
         Member States under Article 6 of the Decision for the placement and
         training of foreign language assistants from the Member States whose
         languages are less widely taught . Such aid is estimated at an average of
         Ecus 2.500 per assistant . It will not exceed half the cost of placement
         and training for numbers of assistants additional to those received in
         the base year 1990 / 91 ,   and will have particular regard to the need to
         diversify the number of foreign languages concerned .     The activity will
         commence in 1991 .
0 . 1 . Assistance will be provided on an experimental basis , to support efforts
         by schools to intensify the teaching of foreign languages to young
         people through the establishment of joint projects in cooperation with
            schools in other Member States .
    2 . Applications will be invited from individual schools submitting a three
         year development plan with these objectives .        During a first phase ,
         financial    assistance   towards the  additional  costs  involved  will  be
         granted to a maximum of 50 schools per Member State for joint projects .
         The schools selected will be invited to join a Community-wide network of
         exchange and mutual support .
    3 . Specific technical assistance will also be given to the setting up of
         networks of institutions seeking to introduce curricula similar to that
         of the European Baccalaureat , with a view to disseminating good practice
         and encouraging further initiatives of this kind throughout the
         Community .
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                                           ACTION II
                   Measures to promote innovation for the improvement
*                  of the teaching and learning of foreign languages ,
I
s
                                 and complementary measures
   1 . The Community will provide complementary support and a European dimension
        to the functions of the Academies designated by Member States under the
       terms of Article 6 of the Decision . The Community support will be provided
       to underpin the creation of a Community-wide clearing-house , networking the
       Academies and facilitating cooperation between them , so as to contribute to
       the achievement    of the    objectives of this Decision and of the LINGUA
       programme .
  2 . Block grants will be made available for this purpose to each Academy on the
       basis of an annual work programme to be presented to the Commission .        The
       Community finance will be limited to support for the development of
       transnational exchanges between Academies and exchange and /or study visits
       for the personnel of the Academies ,          the translation and exchange of
       teaching materials ,     and the transfer of innovative methods of foreign
       language teaching for example through television and the media , for use in
       other Member States . The grant will also, contribute towards the promotion
       of the objectives and the dissemination of the results of the guidelines
       and measures adopted under this Decision as well as through the LINGUA
       programme , to local and regional levels . It will also support activities
       undertaken in accordance with this Annex and the Annex to Council Decision
       .../... establishing the LINGUA programme .
       Annual reports will be presented to the Commission by each Academy of its
       work programme ,    to be examined within the framework of the European
       clearing-house of Academies .
  3 . Moreover ,   during the first phase of implementation ol of tms
                                                                  this Decision ana
                                                                                and oi
                                                                                     of
       the LINGUA programme , support will be provided for the production of aa
       series of Community-wide reports which focus on issues of common concern ,
       including the following :
       (a)  the value of    introducing opportunities for the teaching of foreign
           languages from   an early age , in particular during the period of primary
           education , on    the basis of a comparative evaluation in those Member
           States where this provision already exists ;
       (b)  the scope for introducing further changes to national curricula and
           examination systems to give greater emphasis to the acquisition of the
           skills of communication as a means of enhancing greater motivation for
           the learning of foreign languages as part of the initial vocational
           education and training of young people ;
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     (c)    the need to introduce into public service entrance examinations a
           general requirement of competence in at least one and preferably two
           foreign languages ;
     ( d ) the   provision   for  the    teaching   of   extra-Community    languages ,
           oarticularly in the light of the Community 's developing trading and
           cultural relations with the rest of the world .
    The Academies will be invii  invited   to  collaborate  in  the  compilation   and
    presentation of these reports .
4 . To provide informational support for the activities undertaken in
    accordance with this Decision and under the LINGUA programme and to
    increase cooperation in this field in the Community , the Commission will :
    . support associations and consortia acting on a European-wide basis , both
        those linking teachers and researchers of the different Community
        languages , in particular with a view to making innovative initiatives in
        specific fields better known throughout the Community ,          notably with
        regard to the methodology of foreign language teaching and to the
        promotion of the teaching of the less widely taught foreign languages of
        the Community , and those concerned with promoting multilingualism in the
        media ;
    . support publications designed to enhance awareness of study and teaching
        opportunities in the field of foreign languages in other Member States ,
        and to draw attention to important developments and innovative models for
        cooperation in this field throughout the Community .
5 . The necessary technical assistance will be provided at Community level to
    underpin the activities undertaken in accordance with this Decision , taking
    into account the need to promote a balanced development which encourages
    the teaching and learning of all Community languages . Furthermore , specific
    provision will be made by the Commission for the animation and continuing
    evaluation of these activities , and for the dissemination through all the
    Community languages of experience arising from them .
                                                                                        £3