University of Cambridge Language Centre

28/09/2026

Happy European Day of Languages!

Happy European Day of Languages! 🇪🇺

Today, we celebrate Europe’s linguistic diversity and the connections languages help us build.

At the Council of Europe, we promote language learning, linguistic diversity and intercultural dialogue.

25/09/2026

‘“Languages unite!” is the motto for the 2026 European Day of Languages which takes place on Saturday 26th September...

PACE President’s message for the 2026 European Day of Languages: ‘Languages unite!’

Petra Bayr, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), made the following statement on the eve of the European Day of Languages (26 September 2026), during a visit to the 2026 Graz Language Festival and the European Centre for Modern Languages:

‘“Languages unite!”, the motto for the 2026 European Day of Languages, reminds us that languages can serve as bridges between people, communities and cultures. In a world often marked by division and misunderstanding, the willingness to learn, speak and value other languages fosters mutual respect, empathy and cooperation.

Europe’s rich linguistic heritage is one of its greatest strengths. By encouraging language learning at all stages of life, protecting regional and minority languages, and promoting plurilingual education, we help build more inclusive, cohesive and resilient societies.

Europe speaks with many voices, and each language learned can open new perspectives and strengthen our shared European commitment to democracy, human rights and cultural understanding.’

PACE website: https://go.coe.int/oELun
More language versions on the EDL website: https://edl.ecml.at
Photo credit: Council of Europe
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Message de la Présidente de l’APCE à l’occasion de la Journée européenne des langues 2026 : 'Les langues unissent !'

Petra Bayr, Présidente de l'Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l'Europe (APCE), a fait la déclaration suivante à la veille de la Journée européenne des langues (26 septembre 2026), lors d'une visite au Festival des langues de Graz 2026 et au Centre européen pour les langues vivantes :

« “Les langues unissent !”, le slogan de la Journée européenne des langues 2026, nous rappelle que les langues peuvent servir de ponts entre les personnes, les communautés et les cultures. Dans un monde souvent marqué par les divisions et les malentendus, la volonté d’apprendre, de parler et de valoriser d’autres langues favorise le respect mutuel, l’empathie et la coopération.

Le riche patrimoine linguistique de l’Europe est l’une de ses plus grandes forces. En encourageant l’apprentissage des langues à toutes les étapes de la vie, en protégeant les langues régionales et minoritaires et en promouvant l’éducation plurilingue, nous contribuons à bâtir des sociétés plus inclusives, plus solidaires et plus résilientes.

L’Europe s’exprime à travers de nombreuses voix, et chaque langue apprise peut ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives et renforcer notre engagement européen commun en faveur de la démocratie, des droits humains et de la compréhension culturelle. »

Site web de l'APCE : https://go.coe.int/MJCCO
Disponible en d’autres versions linguistiques sur le site web de la JEL : https://edl.ecml.at
Photo : Conseil de l'Europe

25/09/2026

“Language and the use of language should intend to unite people, not create hierarchies in expression.”

CommentExcuse me, do you speak English? The importance of languages in an increasingly English-speaking world “Language and the use of language should intend to unite people, not create hierarchies in expression.” ByMilli SlossPublished 1 day ago Photo by

24/09/2026

Resources to help you celebrate European Day of Languages this Autumn!
https://ncle.ucl.ac.uk/resources-to-help-you-celebrate-european-day-of-languages-this-autumn/
European Day of Languages University of Cambridge

11/09/2026

Why is it worth learning new languages?
https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2026/09/giorgio-iemmolo-why-is-it-worth-learning-new-languages.html
University of Cambridge

Foreign languages sharpen the mind, argues linguist Giorgio Iemmolo. He explains why language skills are becoming even more important in the age of AI translation tools.

11/09/2026

Enrolment for our Cambridge University Languages Programmes (CULP) Standard Michaelmas/Lent Terms Courses is open .
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Check our Latest News and follow the link for enrolment.
If you're trying to enrol from abroad, you will need to do so via Cambridge VPN.
https://www.langcen.cam.ac.uk/culp/culp-index.html
University of Cambridge

04/09/2026

01/09/2026

When you first start learning a new language, your only reference is your own tongue (unless you are multilingual). So it makes sense to allow a plurilingual approach to language learning until you're competent enough to only use your newly acquired language.

"Only English, please." It's a phrase most English teachers have used. But does it actually reflect what immersion really means?

In her Voices Magazine article, teacher and trainer Huma Hasna Riaz Ahmed unpacks a common assumption in language teaching: that immersion means English-only. Drawing on research into bilingual education and her own classroom experience, she makes the case for a more flexible, "plurilingual" approach, one where English remains central, but learners' own languages are used as a resource rather than a roadblock.

Are we immersing learners in English, or isolating them from the very languages that could help immersion work? Read the full article to find out.

🔗 https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/english-only-vs-immersion-lost-translation

01/09/2026

Researcher Development Language Training (RDLT) Bursary
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Cycle 1 of the bursary applications for a CULP Languages for All Course opens at 09:00 on Tuesday 01 September and closes at 09:00 on Thursday 01 October 2026.
https://www.langcen.cam.ac.uk/graduates/funding-opportunities.html
University of Cambridge

01/09/2026

People who speak several languages may have brains that age more slowly, with four-language speakers showing brains that appeared about 13 years younger than those of monolinguals.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260821012226.htm

People who speak several languages may have brains that age more slowly, with four-language speakers showing brains that appeared about 13 years younger than those of monolinguals. Starting earlier and becoming highly fluent were also linked to a stronger effect.