The European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26th September, as an initiative of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Across Europe, the 800 million Europeans represented in the Council of Europe’s 47 member states are encouraged to learn more languages, whatever age they are, and whether or not they are still at school.
At la Academia we wholeheartedly endorse this idea. We share the view that the ability to speak several languages helps develop greater intercultural understanding. As part of our language courses, the cultural differences between the teacher’s home country and the students’ cultures are carefully explained, and assist our students to learn not just the language but the social and cultural way of life in that country.
Locally, some of the primary schools in Manchester and Stockport that we teach in are organising language-related and cultural activities for their pupils. This kind of experience can only help their pupils to develop a more open and international outlook, and encourage them to learn more languages.