The Council of Europe s LIAM Project (Linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants) David Little Trinity College Dublin Ireland
Founded in 1949 to The Council of Europe defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law develop continent-wide agreements to standarize member countries social and legal practices promote awareness of a European identity based on shared values and cutting across different cultures Key instruments European Convention on Human Rights (1950) European Cultural Convention (1954)
Council of Europe and migration More than four decades of work on migration-related issues Has affirmed the importance of education for migrants in almost thirty recommendations from its Committee of Ministers and Parliamentary Assembly White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue, Living Together as Equals in Dignity (2008) European Commission against Racism (2008) successful integration is a two-way process, a process of mutual recognition, which bears no relation to assimilation the tone of the political debate has not only hardened considerably, but also tends to stigmatise entire communities, including nationals of immigrant backgrounds
Council of Europe and language education Modern languages projects since the early 1970s Approach to language learning Learner-centred: learning additional languages extends the individual s behavioural range Communicative: learning additional languages facilitates mobility and social and cultural exchange Instruments The Threshold Level (1975) Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (2001) European Language Portfolio Extended scope of recent work Languages in and for education Language of schooling
LIAM Project Established 2006 in response to increasing tendency of Council of Europe member states to attach language requirements to entry, residence and citizenship specify requirements by undifferentiated reference to proficiency levels of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 Purpose to support member states in the development of policy and practice that recognizes and respects migrants human rights Members Jean-Claude Beacco (France), Claire Extramiana (France), Hans- Jürgen Krumm (Austria), Barbara Lazenby Simpson (Ireland), David Little (Ireland), Lorenzo Rocca (Italy), Richard Rossner (UK)
www.coe.int/lang-migrants
www.coe.int/lang-migrants Context and principles Context and objectives of the LIAM project Guiding principles Themes Language policies for adult migrants Forms of linguistic integration CEFR and profiles Courses and assessment Activities Conferences Surveys Instruments and resources Instruments Official texts and guidelines Background documents and studies Links FAQ Key terms
LIAM Project: activities Surveys of policy and practice in Council of Europe member states (2007 2008, 2009 2010, 2013) Intergovernmental conferences (2008, 2010, 2014) Academic symposium: The Linguistic Integration of Adult Migrants: Lessons from Research Strasbourg, 30 March 1 April 2016 Keynote speakers: Rosemarie Tracy (University of Mannheim), Claude Springer (Université Aix-Marseille), Ofelia García (City University of New York) 61 section papers and 9 posters from 20 Council of Europe member countries, Algeria, Cameroon, Canada, Japan, US Proceedings volume to be published by the end of 2016
Refugee Project (2016 2017) A toolkit to help volunteers working for governments, NGOs and local agencies In languages of volunteers Accessible via the LIAM website Other modes of dissemination may also be used, e.g. printed booklets, smartphone app Partners from Austria France Italy Romania United Kingdom (Learning Unlimited)