Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

Philia Thalgott Language Policy Unit - DG II

Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France

www.coe.int/lang

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Council of Europe - The linguistic integration of

adult migrants: principles and practice

EU-OECD DIALOGUE ON INTERNATIONAL

MIGRATION AND MOBILITY – 24 February 2014

Parallel Session 3: Improving language proficiency

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

47 member states, Strasbourg, France

Guiding principles: human rights, democracy and rule of law;

The Council of Europe:

Committee of Ministers

Parliamentary Assembly (PACE)

• Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population

ECRI (Monitoring body)

Language Policy Unit (DG II)

• Linguistic aspects related to migration

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

Council of Europe Policy Initiatives

2 Conventions

22 Recommendations / Resolutions since 1968

• Committee of Ministers to member States • Parliamentary Assembly (PACE)

ECRI (European Commission against Racism and Intolerance) Monitoring of member states / annual Reports

White Paper: Intercultural Dialogue

See Compilation of extracts: LIAM website / section Categories

www.coe.int/lang-migrants

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

Linguistic integration is… [ not a precise science ! ]

… most often defined as migrants’ obligation to learn the language(s) of the receiving society

….defined, according to Council of Europe values, in terms of the contribution it makes to the social cohesion that integration mechanisms are intended to strengthen.

However true integration is a two-way process

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

Council of Europe’s approach (LIAM)

Principles

- respect for migrants’ human rights and dignity

- rights + responsibilities

- heterogeneity diversified needs and capacities

No single uniform approach

Objectives (Policy level):

• facilitate exchange of information and discussion on language policies for integration,

• examine how the Council of Europe tools (in particular the CEFR) can best support the requirements of member States

• offer guidance on ensuring quality in language training and responding to needs (“tailor-made”)

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

OVERVIEW: Council of Europe’s initiatives (Linguistic integration of adult migrants)

Tools for policy deciders and practitioners

dedicated LIAM website: www.coe.int/lang-migrants

3 surveys (2008 / 2010 / 2013) to take stock of developments in Council of Europe member states and to analyse trends

3 conferences (Strasbourg): 2008 / 2010 + 2014

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR)

- A basis for promoting coherence and transparency in the planning & delivery of language programmes, and in the assessment of language proficiency

- A reference tool for developing a shared understanding in 3 main areas:

- Elaboration of language syllabuses, examinations - Description of levels of proficiency - For common European reference points

- A descriptive document translated into 38 languages but remains non-language specific (generic descriptors)

The CEFR is descriptive – not normative – and must be

adapted for migration contexts

www.coe.int/CEFR

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

CEFR Common reference levels Common European Framework of Reference for languages:

learning, teaching, assessment

specific illustrative « can do descriptors of global and detailed outcomes

Basic User

- A1 (A1.1)

- A2 Independent User

- B1

- B2 Proficient User

- C1

- C2

Surveys > national language tests and training for migrants: A1.1 > B1/B2

EXAMPLES : Spoken interaction and spoken production :

- Level A2: Learner can interact and react in a basic way to everyday and familiar

situations

- Level B1: can engage in unprepared conversations and give an account or tell a

story

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

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Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

Language-for-Work project (2012-2015

Objective: creation of a European learning network for professionals in the

field of work-related language learning for adult migrants and ethnic

minorities

European Center for Modern Languages (ECML – Graz)

(Council of Europe Partial Agreement) www.ecml.at

2014: Developments

Language Policy Unit – Education Dpt – DG II

- Survey 2013: Analysis and publication of outcomes and trends

- Intergovernmental Conference (3-4 June) in Strasbourg

- New publications

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

2014 initiatives (migrants education)

:POLICY LEVEL

+ report on Recommendationa adopts Assembly Parliamentary CoE

Integration tests: helping or hindering integration?

:migrants) Adultof Integration Linguistic(publications New

LIAM: Guide to policy development and implementation

LIAM: From one country to another, from one language to another

« There are two primary concerns over the use of these tests. […] The second is whether they are being used not so much as an integration measure, but rather as a migration management mechanism to limit the number of migrants entering and/or remaining in the country concerned.

Council of Europe – Language Policy Unit – www.coe.int/lang

Project Linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants (LIAM)

(Language Policy Unit – Council of Europe – Strasbourg)

Language Policy Unit – DG II – Council of Europe – F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex

philia.thalgott@coe.int :mail-e

Dedicated website:

EN: www.coe.int/lang-migrants

FR: www.coe.int/lang-migrants/fr

Thank you !