Learning languages in the time of COVID-19

On September 26, the Council of Europe celebrates the European Day of Languages across Europe. The aim is to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and to raise awareness about the importance of languages, hence lifelong language learning for everyone. This year marks the 19th edition of this event, the first having been celebrated in 2001. Given the current global health situation, the celebrations, both locally and abroad, will see no invited speakers, no press involved and no planned activities for the whole school populations. Notwithstanding the health crisis, however, a number of events – mostly online or involving social distancing – will take place to promote languages within schools and to make students recognise and appreciate Europe’s cultural diversity.  The pandemic has, unfortunately, left many ‒ irrespective of age, gender or religion ‒ stuck at home, with schools and most educational institutions across the globe forced to close their doors. As a result of decisions made by world health authorities, educational institutions around the world were obliged to temporarily close in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus, impacting hundreds of millions...