European Day of Languages

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 the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone. 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 languages 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 2025 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 2025 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 2026!

For 2025 ECML are running two new initiatives: Languages open hearts and minds! and An anthem for the European Day of Languages. Design a poster or record a video, and you might feature on the ECML website and even win a prize.

The ECML have also produced an Activity Kit with further information about their initiatives, and ideas for other activities.

Find even more activities, games and facts on the ECML website.

Posters

The ECML have created infographic posters with 20 things you might not know about the world of languages. 

Visit their website to download the posters in English, French, German and more.

                               

Useful Websites

26 Sep 2025

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

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24 Sep 2025

From special events and games to language cafés and hands-on activities, there's something for everyone.

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29 Jul 2024

How to approach EDL with your pupils.

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29 Jul 2024

Information and resources from the British Council on EDL.

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29 Jul 2024

Collection of downloadable EDL resources.

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29 Jul 2024

Ideas for celebrating EDL including dressing up, baking competitions and language portraits.

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29 Jul 2024

Find quizzes, postcards and more ideas for celebrating.

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09 Aug 2023

Choose from 10 accessible EDL activities and combine them in a way that suits you. Or download our EDL resource that will help learners celebrate the rich diversity of languages and cultures that exist across Europe today.

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25 Jul 2022

Fun facts about European languages and why language-learning is a fantastic skill to develop.

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25 Jul 2022

Ideas for celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity.

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25 Jul 2022

Ideas for a successful EDL celebration in your primary school, including using maps, puppets and portrait lessons.

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25 Jul 2022

Teacher-designed European Day of Languages resources. Choose from our PowerPoints, quizzes, activities and displays to find the perfect fit for your class.

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26 Aug 2021

An interactive Escape Room to celebrate European Day of Languages. Suitable for both primary and secondary.

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19 Aug 2019

In preparation for the big day, we’ve picked out some lesson inspiration in the form of displays, games and assemblies to help you to share your passion for languages with pupils and colleagues alike.

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02 Sep 2020

Guess the language game.

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19 Aug 2019

Top tips for running a successful European Day of Languages event.

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19 Aug 2019

The United Nations declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages to raise awareness about these languages and their contribution to global diversity. To help preserve them this Google Earth tour shares audio recordings from more than 50 Indigenous language speakers.

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19 Aug 2019

Join others all across the continent on 26 September to celebrate the annual European Day of Languages – with a song! A quick activity, easy to manage, for teachers and pupils all you need is internet access, sound and projection equipment.

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17 Sep 2018

Here we take a look at 4 ideas to help celebrate the European Day of Languages in your school, including 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' and a European Food Market.

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03 Jul 2018

Download this small booklet where you will find examples of the many languages spoken in Europe.

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07 Sep 2017

Why not start (or end) this year with a themed day? Celebrating the European Day of Languages is a great starting point!

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