European Day Of Languages

Supriya Jain
Dec 22, 2023 By Supriya Jain
Originally Published on Feb 24, 2022
Fact-checked by Amanpreet Kaur
Teachers are encouraged on European Day Of Languages to promote language learning.

Where is the European Day Of Languages celebrated?

This day was celebrated in Europe in 2001, and since 2019, it is also observed in the South Asian region.

Who is the European Day Of Languages celebrated by?

People from the member of the Council of Europe commemorate this day.

When did the European Day Of Languages first start?

In 2002, the European Day Of Languages was organized.

Who started the European Day Of Languages?

This day was designated as the European Year Of Languages by the Council of Europe and the European Union in 2001.

History And Timeline

There are over 225 indigenous languages in Europe, accounting for about 3% of the world's total.

The majority of European languages are Indo-European in origin.

Only native speakers talk in Russian daily, followed by German, which approximately 95 million people speak; Turkish, which is spoken by about 80 million people; English, and French, which are each spoken by 65 million people; Italian, which is spoken by 60 million people; Spanish, and Polish, which are each spoken by 40 million people; Ukrainian, which 30 million people say, and Romanian; which 26 million people speak.

English is currently the most popular foreign language in Europe, followed by French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Italian in terms of foreign language study.

Russian Language

The Russian language replaced French as the most widely spoken language in Europe both in terms of area and native speakers, since the end of the 18th century.

18th Century

The Original Proposal

The European Year of Languages proposal came from the Council of Europe.

1997

The Year Of Languages

The European Year of Languages was established by the Committee of Ministers in Europe.

1999

The European Year Of Languages

In 2001, the first prosperous European Year of Languages was celebrated.

2001

Celebration Of The European Day Of Languages

The European Union and the Council of Europe officially declared September 26th the Summary: European Day of Languages in 2002.

2002

Traditions And Customs

On the European Day Of Languages, many nations across Europe host special events. These gatherings are centered on learning about the continent's various languages.

It's also a day dedicated to encouraging people to learn a new language. Quiz bowls, eating food from multiple cultures, watching films in other languages, and learning songs in another language are all examples of these activities. Some people know the alphabet and numbers in many languages as well.

Ways To Celebrate European Day Of Languages

Whether you're a language instructor or a language learner, there are a few ways to commemorate European Day Of Languages 2022.

If you're a language instructor, you should:

Make an online quiz for your pupils to share interesting European language information.

Teach your kids about the advantages of language acquisition and what being bilingual, trilingual, or multilingual entails.

Organize a European food activity where food from other cultures is tried out!

Show students films or TV shows in a different language.

Teach a song in a foreign language to your students.

Facts And Stats

  • On this day you can find events and activities throughout Europe, subject to COVID restrictions.
  • Suppose you search for 'European Day of Languages events': adding the name of the city where you reside: to see if you can attend any public activities. Depending on where you live, these could include conferences, language classes, meet-ups, and cultural exchange.
  • Using social media to commemorate the day is a terrific way to raise awareness. You might offer your language learning experience, facts or inspiration, or even a language joke or two!

How many countries take part in the European Day Of Languages?

Millions of people from 45 countries participated in activities to celebrate the linguistic variety and benefits of knowing another language during the European Year Of Languages.

Who started the European Day Of Languages?

Council of Europe and the European Union started this day in 2001.

When is the European Day Of Languages?

European Day Of Languages is observed every year on September 26.

What is the significance of European Day Of Languages?

The European Day Of Languages (EDL), which takes place on September 26, aims to raise public awareness about the importance of language acquisition and the preservation of linguistic heritage.

Why do people celebrate the European Day Of Languages?

The European Day Of Languages aims to:

Encourage plurilingualism and intercultural understanding, educate the public about the importance of language learning, variety, and the range of languages mastered.

Encourage Europe's rich linguistic and cultural diversity.

Encourage both in-school and out-of-school language learning.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Friday, September 25, 2020
  • Saturday, September 25, 2021
  • Sunday, September 25, 2022
  • Monday, September 25, 2023
  • Wednesday, September 25, 2024

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Supriya Jain

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

Supriya Jain picture

Supriya JainBachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

As a skilled member of the Kidadl team, Shruti brings extensive experience and expertise in professional content writing. With a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University and an MBA in Business Administration from IMT Nagpur, Shruti has worked in diverse roles such as sales intern, content writer, executive trainee, and business development consultant. Her exceptional writing skills cover a wide range of areas, including SOP, SEO, B2B/B2C, and academic content.

Read full bio >
Fact-checked by Amanpreet Kaur

Bachelor of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance

Amanpreet Kaur picture

Amanpreet KaurBachelor of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance

Amanpreet has a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Birla Institute of Technology and Xavier Institute of Social Service respectively, coupled with her internships at Decimal Point Analytics and the Royal Bank of Scotland, has equipped her with the necessary skills to analyze complex data and present insights in an easy-to-understand format. Her paper on the impact of COVID-19 on CSR programs has received high commendation.

Read full bio >