European Language Label launched

The Socrates Co-ordinating Committee is promoting the European Language Label, which will be awarded each year to the most innovative language learning projects in each country taking part in the scheme.

A news conference announcing the launch was addressed by Joseph Mifsud, chairman of the Socrates Committee - EUPU, in the presence of Annhelica Scerri, from the Socrates Co-ordinating Committee - EUPU and Astrid Jenkins, Leonardo Programme Co-ordinator.

The European Label has two main aims. The first is to encourage new initiatives in the field of language teaching and learning. The second is to let teachers and learners know about such initiatives and inspire them to adapt ideas and techniques concerned with their own situation.

The Label is coordinated by the European Commission, but managed on a decentralised basis by the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Norway and pre-accession countries. National juries will decide on which projects will receive the Label.

Up to 2002, only EU member states and EEA countries had implemented the European Label. As of 2002, the European Label entered a new phase with the opening to pre-accession countries. This brings the number of participating countries from 18 to 30.

The competition will be open to four eligible categories: primary schools, secondary schools, post-secondary schools and youth/adult organisations.

The closing date for applications is November 21.

For further information contact the Socrates Co-ordinating Committee on tel. 2340 2204 or fax 21 323807 or by e-mail to: socrates@ um.edu.mt or http://home.um.edu.mt/socrates/euro_label.html