European Day of Languages

Why Should I Get Involved in the European Day of Languages?

As a language learner or educator, you already know that familiarity with foreign languages fosters an appreciation of intercultural relations, and that language learning benefits people of all ages.  

The European Day of Languages is a fantastic opportunity to promote the power of language learning and language diversity. It offers a space to engage in fun language activities with your class, organisation, and the wider language community.  For educators, the European Languages Day is especially relevant if you: 

• have students who are bilingual or multilingual 
• want to help students celebrate their linguistic heritage 
• want to show your students the beauty of a multilingual society 

I’m Interested! What Now?

The next European Day of Languages will be celebrated on 26 September 2024. Anyone can take part in the European Day of Languages and come up with ideas or events centred around languages.  

 You can also visit the  European Day of Languages website to explore a range of interactive games and resources already available for language teachers and learners. You choose the activities that interest you and decide how much time to dedicate! 

EDL t-shirt design contest: once again, there was a huge response  to the contest to design the 2024 EDL t-shirt – with over 2000 entries submitted. The artistic winning design was created by Eloise Recio Jarda from Spain. The t-shirt and a tote bag with the same design are now available for sale.

Designs can already be submitted here for the 2025 EDL t-shirt design contest (with the contest closing on 31 December 2024).

Ordering your celebration packs 

We are delighted that all 10,000 celebration kits are now on their way to schools, and unfortunately it is not possible for any new schools to request materials.

If you missed out this time, make sure to join our mailing list here to be the first to hear about Schools/Languages news and any future opportunities.

Don’t forget to register your European Day of Languages Celebration Event. 

We’d love to hear about your events and ideas on our social media or see photos of our celebration kits in action. Tag us on Instagram (@leargas.ireland) or Twitter (@LanguageLeargas)

Competition Time 

This academic year, 2024-2025, Léargas’ Languages Programme holds a competition for primary- and post-primary teachers, in conjunction with eTwinning, the online community for schools in Europe.  

Check out how to enter the competition, register your project between the 9th of September and 15th of November and win three Chromebooks for your school!

Previous European Day of Languages Competitions

Over the years Léargas has been proud to run several competitions in recognition of the European Day of Languages. These have typically been for primary and post-primary teachers, and often in conjunction with eTwinning, the online community for schools in Europe. This partnership has celebrated collaboration and exchange between schools in different EU countries, and promoted creativity and innovation in language teaching and learning. 

Previous winners of the European Day of Languages Competition have included: 

• Balbriggan ETNS, Dublin; eTwinning project LANGUAGE POWER 
• Andrew’s College, Dublin; eTwinning project Desde la Perla Esmeralda a la Perla del Mediterráneo 
• Mount Carmel Secondary School, Dublin; eTwinning project Should borders be abolished? / Faut-il supprimer les frontières? 
• The King’s Hospital School, Dublin; eTwinning project Auf gut Deutsch gesagt 
• Kilglass NS, primary school, Ahascragh, Galway; eTwinning project Our Health is our Wealth 
• St. Vincent’s Secondary School and Midleton College, Cork; eTwinning project  Multimedia Quiz on German Language and Culture 
• Salesian College, post-primary school, Limerick; eTwinning project The Power of Reading/El poder de la lectura 
• Manor House School, post primary-school, Dublin; eTwinning project Il y a 100 ans… L’après la Grande Guerre/100 years ago: Life in Ireland and France in the aftermath of WW1