Press Release

15 UK projects rewarded for innovative language teaching

Fifteen outstanding language initiatives are to receive an EU award for their innovative approach to developing language skills in the UK.

The judges were particularly impressed by the high levels of creativity in projects involving young language learners, the effective partnerships formed with local businesses and the innovative strategies to engage with hard-to-reach adult learners.

This year's European Award for Languages winners cover a diverse range of projects, include over 25 languages and span a variety of age groups from primary school pupils to adult learners.

They include a Eurovision song contest style event, a series of Spanish language podcasts and a collection of learning cards and CDs aimed at truck drivers.

Many of the projects effectively create an appealing context for language learning, whether it is a bilingual theatre performance or the formation of a working film studio.

Several of the projects involve whole family units and foster social inclusion through group learning.

These include Tamil speaking parents holding language events with their primary school children and a Spanish course for families in the East End of Glasgow.

Brian Page, Chair of the judging panel, said,

"Once again our winners show how success in languages can make a lasting difference to the lives of learners.

"They fully deserve this European accolade as their work can serve as an inspiring model for others ".

Chief Executive of CILT, the National Centre for Languages, Isabella Moore announcing the winners in the run up to the European Day of Languages on 26 September said:

"These projects have creatively engaged people of all ages in language learning.

"All the winners should be proud of their hard work and imagination in contributing to the development of language skills in the UK ".

Winners will receive their Award from at a high profile prize-giving ceremony at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on 20 November 2007 and will be celebrating their success with further activities on the European Day of Languages.