3 November 2026 | 14.00-15.30 CET | Online | Language: English
Join the British Council and a panel of European experts for an online discussion exploring the implications of language-responsive educational approaches in a multilingual European context.
The event will present the British Council’s updated position on inclusive language policy and practice and explore how this thinking relates to current priorities and approaches across Europe. It will bring together perspectives from across the European education landscape, including the European Commission, represented by Anna Sol-Mena, and the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML), represented by Sarah Breslin.
What is this event about?
Across Europe, education systems are navigating increasingly complex linguistic contexts. Questions around plurilingual education, migration and displacement, the role of English and other languages, and equitable access to learning are becoming increasingly important.
This event will explore how the British Council’s position on language in education applies to the European context and how language-responsive approaches can support more inclusive and equitable learning.
During the 90-minute session, you will hear a short presentation of the position paper, a panel discussion with European experts and examples from relevant British Council projects, followed by audience Q&A.
What will the discussion cover?
- The relationship between language-responsive educational approaches and European policies and recommendations around plurilingual education.
- Examples of language-responsive approaches within European education systems.
- The role of language-responsive approaches in maximising learning outcomes for displaced learners.
- Implications for educational practice, including teacher professional development.
Who is this event for?
The event is aimed particularly at policymakers and education leaders but is open to anyone with an interest in the role of languages in education, plurilingual education, inclusion and equitable learning.
Speakers
The event will bring together British Council colleagues and a panel of European experts, including:
- Anna Sole Mena - Senior Expert on Multilingualism, European Commission
- Sarah Breslin - Executive Director, European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML)
- Akvile Motiejunaite-Schulmeister - Education Policy and Systems Analyst, Eurydice
- Nathalie Auger - Professor of Language Sciences, Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3