Press Release: Love is … multilingualism

The European Commission celebrated the European Day of Languages (EDL) on 26 September 2013. The aim of the European Day of Languages is to raise awareness of the languages used in Europe, promote cultural and linguistic diversity and encourage life-long language learning.

In the European Union there are 24 official languages, about 60 regional and minority languages, and more than 175 migrant languages.

However, ninety four percent of upper secondary students learn English as a foreign language, according to new data published on the 26 September 2013 by Eurostat.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/825: Frequently asked questions on languages in Europe http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-825_en.pdf

Website: European Day of Languages http://edl.ecml.at/

EurActiv, 27.09.13: Press Release: Love is … multilingualism http://www.euractiv.com/culture/english-reinforces-supremacy-eur-news-530728

ESO: Background Information: Language teaching on the rise, English still dominates http://www.europeansources.info/record/language-teaching-on-the-rise-english-still-dominates/

Eurostat: News Release No.138, 2013: Two-thirds of working age adults in the EU28 in 2011 state they know a foreign language http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/web/products-press-releases/-/3-26092013-AP

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