European Language Label

borgt033

European Language Label

Description and scope of the European Language Label

The European Language Label (ELL) is an award that highlights European priorities in the area of multilingualism and language learning and teaching by honouring the most innovative language learning and teaching projects. Its implementation is guided by the European Language Label working group composed of representatives from Programme Countries and chaired by the Commission.

The specific objectives of the European Language Label are to:

  • Promote excellence in the teaching of foreign languages
  • Help raise the standards of language teaching across Europe
  • Raise awareness about European cooperation in the field of language teaching and learning across all educational sectors.

 

To ensure high quality and consistent implementation of the ELL as well as transparency, the MT NA  shall follow the guidelines and award criteria set out hereafter:

Eligibility and Selection Criteria:

The Maltese National Agency will award the ELL to organisations having completed any type of KA1 or KA2 decentralised projects with outstanding results on the topic of language learning and teaching. Completed projects are those projects whose final reports have been received and evaluated by the NA. An expert panel set up by the National Agency will assess the selected projects.

 

Award Criteria: The European Language Label will be awarded based on the following principles:

Criteria Description
Thematic priorities The implemented initiatives will be given priority in the selection if they address one or more of the thematic priorities defined for the given selection round. European thematic priorities will be defined at the European level and applicable to all Programme countries. The European priorities can be complemented with further national priorities decided by the National Agency and the National Authority.
Comprehensive approach All elements involved – learners, teachers, methods and materials – must contribute to ensuring that the needs of the learners are identified and met, including validation of language skills. Creative use should be made of all resources available to stimulate language learning from an early age. These can include: supporting the integration of the language dimension across the curricula; presence of native speakers during the learning process; developing bilingual teaching options; language practice organised with twinned towns or institutions; cooperation with local business; mainstreaming the use of new technologies to support language learning.
Originality and creativity The implemented initiatives should explore previously unknown approaches, appropriate to the learners concerned.
Transferability The implemented initiative should be a potential source of inspiration for others in different countries and contexts. They might, for example, be adaptable to the learning of other languages or to learning by different age groups than those originally involved. It could also include digital online tools for language learning.
Motivation of learners and teachers The implemented initiative should increase the motivation of learners and teachers and help develop positive attitudes towards linguistic diversity.
European dimension The implemented initiatives should be based upon the reality of the European Union and its linguistic diversity. They should use the potential which that offers (for example, contacts across national borders, language learning between the neighbouring countries, developing bilingual teaching options etc.) to improve understanding of other cultures by means of language learning.
Added value in the local or national context The implemented initiatives should lead to a quantitative and qualitative improvement in the teaching and learning of languages in their local or national context. In quantitative terms, this might mean involving several languages, and particularly those which are less widely used. In qualitative terms, it might mean the use of a better methodology than before.

The nature of awards

Successful projects will receive a certificate signed by the European Commissioner in charge of multilingualism and the relevant minister at national level.

The awarded Erasmus projects will also be flagged with an indication of the ELL award in the Erasmus+ Projects Results Platform.