23/09/2021
Experts at Cambridge are celebrating the European Day of Languages by reflecting on the benefits of plurilingualism for both individuals and society as a whole.
Cambridge Assessment English is known worldwide for helping millions of people to learn English and prove their skills to the world, but the organisation is also committed to encouraging and supporting the teaching and learning of a much wider range of languages. The organisation, which is a department of Cambridge University, has always supported plurilingualism. Milestones in this area for Cambridge Assessment English include being instrumental in the development of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which was first published by Cambridge University Press 20 years ago. The CEFR has gone from strength to strength and become the global standard for measuring language ability. Cambridge Assessment English was also one of the founding members of ALTE, which is an association of language test providers who work together to promote the fair and accurate assessment of linguistic ability across Europe and beyond.
‘The European Day of Languages is an important reminder of the enormous benefits of teaching and learning a wide range of languages,’ commented Francesca Woodward, Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment English. She continued: ‘English has become an essential skill for everyone in so many areas, but it’s equally important that people do not neglect their first language and that they take the time to learn other languages. Whether it’s a foreign language, the regional language of the place you live, the language of your parents or communities or even the language of your favourite holiday destination, there are enormous benefits from learning more than one language.’
The European Day of Languages will take place on Sunday 26th September 2021.
To coincide with the celebrations for the European Day of Languages, Dr Nick Saville, from Cambridge Assessment English who is the Secretary General of ALTE has recorded a short video celebrating twenty years of the CEFR.
Watch it here