European Languages Day 2025 - Celebrating Europe's Linguistic Diversity

This year's European Languages Day showcase offered almost 400 school children from across London the chance to engage with the 24 languages of the EU through interactive stalls hosted by EU Member States' embassies, a team of European Parliament interpreters, cultural institutes, education centres and community schools.

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Opened by the Delegation Deputy Ambassador Isabel Poppelbaum, the Team Europe ethos of the vibrant, all-day event was underscored.

"This was a fantastic opportunity for students to experience the diversity that makes Europe so special," said Deputy Ambassador Poppelbaum. "Learning languages isn't just about words; it's about connecting with people, understanding their stories, and broadening our horizons."

Joining Deputy Ambassador Poppelbaum was Marsha de Cordova MP and head of the European Parliament Liasion Office, Leena Maria Linnus in the UK who recognised the key role played by teachers in supporting the goals of the showcase and together they highlighted the work of the European Parliament Ambassador Schools programme and the value for all in exploring Europe's rich cultural and linguistic heritage.

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Over 20 stands filled the beautiful space of St John's Smith Square, all designed to encourage and inspire schoolchildren to embrace the importance of learning European languages. Staggered over the course of the day, students from 20 schools participated in the showcase, discovering how languages serve as gateways to understanding diverse cultures, unlocking new ideas, traditions, and opportunities for collaboration and friendship.

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A Call to Action in the Face of Challenges

While the event celebrated the richness of European languages, it also shed light on the concerning decline of foreign language learning in the UK. Recent years have seen a sharp drop in students studying foreign languages.

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However, as spelt out by Ambassador Serrano in his closing address of the day, where there is challenge, there is opportunity. Since the May 19th summit, work continues on EU-UK collaboration on the Youth Experience Scheme and Erasmus+. These programmes will open new doors for young people on both sides of the Channel-creating more opportunities for exchange, learning, and cultural connection.

A Vision for the Future

"Languages are bridges. Let's keep building them!" the Ambassador said, highlighting how this celebration is part of a broader effort to promote multilingualism and intercultural dialogue across Europe and the UK. Looking to the future, Ambassador Serrano spoke of how, as Europe continues to diversify, so does its linguistic landscape, with now more than 60 regional and minority languages spoken across the continent's 27 member states. Work must continue on making sure the linguists of the future are supported in their learning, something events like the showcase hows to do - working to energise efforts to keep language learning vibrant and accessible.

Looking Ahead

The European Day of Languages (EDL), celebrated since 2001, aims to communicate that learning new languages can be enjoyable, rewarding, and full of opportunities. More can be found out about the day itself via the comprehensive European Commission online resources devoted to it here. The essence of the EDL is about building connections that transcend borders and fostering understanding.

The Delegation remains hugely grateful for the collaboration with the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK, EU Member States embassies, cultural and education institutes that made the event possible.

This third year of celebrating the EDL has shown again the value of languages in building bridges of communication, understanding, and friendship. We are already looking forward to next year!

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