EN 29 EN ANNEX M ANDATE OF THE T HEMATIC G ROUP ON E ARLY L ANGUAGE L EARNING EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Education and Culture Culture, Multilingualism and Communication Multilingualism policy Brussels, EAC.C.5 /FPe Db ObbPEN M ETHOD OF C OORDINATION T HEMATIC G ROUP ON E ARLY L ANGUAGE L EARNING D RAFT M ANDATE 2009-2011 – The group’s work shall focus on the Early Language Learning aspects of Strategic Objective 2 of the New Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training (‘ECET 2020’): Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training, with a view to enabling citizens to communicate in two foreign languages from an early age and to enable migrants to learn the language of the host country – Its main objective will be to establish policy recommendations on Early Language Learning, to be submitted to a high-level seminar of Member State representatives on the Barcelona language learning targets, planned in early 2011 as apart of the general review of the multilingualism policy scheduled in 2011/2012. – The group shall carryout the following assignments in relation to Early Language Learning – define the concepts of Early Language Learning within the scope of the present mandate – collect and exchange information on relevant policy developments and challenges in the participating countries and at European level – collect, analyse and discuss examples of good practice and operational challenges – identify priority areas for action and coordination at national and EU level – draft appropriate strategic and operational recommendations. – The group shall set its work programme and working methods, which may include peer learning activities such as analyses, surveys, studies, reports, compendia, study visits, consultations and events.
