The European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe has entrusted (, University of Malta) and Dr Johann Fischer (Director of ZESS, University of Göttingen) with leading a training and consultancy event as part of its 2024–2027 programme, Language Education at the Heart of Democracy.
The event, hosted by the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences in Finland, brought together 25 university language teachers and teacher educators from across Finland for a two-day intensive workshop. The goal was to encourage the integration of the plurilingual, action-oriented approach outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – Companion Volume (CEFR CV) into their teaching and programme development.
At the heart of this approach is a vision of learners not simply as language users, but as social agents who engage with the world through their entire linguistic repertoires. Plurilingual education, therefore, goes beyond traditional notions of language teaching by valuing learners’ diverse linguistic backgrounds and fostering meaningful interaction across languages and cultures. This perspective was central to the workshop, where participants explored how to design language learning experiences that reflect this dynamic and inclusive view of communication.
Participants arrived with a solid understanding of the CEFR CV, setting the stage for rich, practice-oriented discussions. The workshop focused on the concept of mediation—especially cross-linguistic mediation—and how it can be effectively applied in higher education language classrooms. Through dynamic and collaborative sessions, the group co-created a series of mediation tasks and drafted action plans for the integration of two key ECML resources: the VITbox and METLA.
The workshop was marked by vibrant exchanges, innovative thinking, and a strong spirit of collaboration. The enthusiasm and creativity displayed by participants also sparked new ideas for future professional development initiatives.
The trainers are deeply grateful to the ECML, the Finnish National Agency for Education, the University of Oulu, and Oulu University of Applied Sciences for their support in making this event such a resounding success. The experience highlighted once again the vital role of plurilingual education in fostering democratic values and intercultural understanding in higher education.
