We’re excited to be getting ready to celebrate European Day of Languages on Friday 26 September. In 2025, the theme, “Languages open hearts and minds,” highlights the power of languages to connect us, inspire new ideas and broaden horizons.
It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the range and diversity of languages spoken throughout Europe while celebrating the languages spoken in your school. Learning a language not only allows you to talk with people from other countries in their own language, it’s also an introduction to different cultures, different ideas and opens up a world of opportunities.
The day can also serve as a focal point for your school’s language and international activities, giving you the chance to showcase what you’re doing with your European partners.
To help you mark the occasion, we have curated a selection of resources designed to inspire, support and promote language learning in your classroom.
You could start the day with our Let's talk about languages resource in an assembly or in tutor time and use our Great Languages Challenge as a homework activity. Inspire your secondary pupils to continue studying languages, or to choose languages as an option, by joining our Where will languages take me? webinar at 9am on 26 September.
If you're looking to introduce German language and culture to your learners, check out our Welcome to German and the German-speaking world resources, with ideas and activities for primary and secondary classes.
There are lots more resources, posters and activities for you to check out on the Council of Europe’s official European Day of Languages web page.
What is European Day of Languages?
European Day of Languages is jointly organised by the Council of Europe and the European Commission and celebrated each year on 26 September. There are 24 official languages in Europe but adding in regional and minority languages, the total number spoken across the continent is over 200.
The aim is to:
- raise awareness of the wide variety of languages in Europe
- promote cultural heritage & linguistic diversity
- encourage people of all ages to learn languages
- promote translation, interpretation, other language-related professions.
