European Day of Languages

The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated across Europe on the 26th of September every year. It aims to promote all the languages learned and spoken across Europe and its rich linguistic. It was set up by the Council of Europe and was first celebrated in 2001. Why not celebrate with your class, and use this opportunity to raise the profile of language learning and multiculturalism in your school.

Ideas for your school

SCILT has put together lots of ideas to support you in celebrating the European Day of Languages in your school. We have grouped them into primary and secondary ideas, as well as ideas for parents and families, and provided a suggested timeframe for each activity:

Schools organising events to celebrate EDL 2026 are invited to upload details of their event to the EDL events calendar, a Europe-wide calendar hosted by the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML). There will be a prize for the most innovative event.

Blogs

Tell us how you celebrate the European Day of Languages and we will feature you in our EDL 2026 blog. If you include some colourful photos your article could even appear in our next newsletter! Just submit your entry via our EDL blog form.

For more ideas on how to celebrate, view the SCILT EDL blogs from previous years:

Competitions

The ECML are inviting entries for their EDL t-shirt contest. Submit your entry online and your design could be on the official EDL t-shirt for 2027!

For 2026 ECML are running two new initiatives:

Poster competition: Languages unite! - Create a poster illustrating the theme of this year’s EDL- ‘Languages unite!'. This can use artwork, symbols and quotes to reflect how languages bring people together and serve as a vehicle for reaching across linguistic and cultural divides.
EDL class language challenge - Challenge your class to take part in the EDL 2026 language challenge! Students complete a series of short, fun language “missions”, and upload one piece of evidence to receive an official EDL challenge certificate.

Downloadables

The ECML have created a wide range of resources, free to download on their website. From books and activity kits, to posters and cards you find lots of ways to promote and celebrate your EDL activities.

Useful Websites

Quilt of Welcome worksheet | Sabine Little

Activity which invites children to share words that make them feel happy, welcome and safe in their home or heritage languages.

Tags: ##EDL_2025