A European Union study suggests 50 ways to motivate language learners.

Motivation is a key to successful language learning, and some would argue that it is the most important factor.

As the US is faced with the challenge of boosting the nation’s foreign language skills, we might note a few suggestions from multilingual Europe.

In 2004, the European Union carried out a major study of motivation in language learning. Entitled Lingo: Motivating Europeans to Learn Languages, the report included an executive summary presenting best practices, as well as a very practical guide identifying 50 ways to motivate language learners.

The document doesn’t limit itself to theoretical suggestions. In fact, the brochure presents “50 examples of projects, methods and events…that have encouraged people either to learn a new language or to make practical use of their existing linguistic skills.”

Although a quick check of the Internet sites for certain projects shows that a number of them have faded into the sunset, others, such as the UK’s Language Works information center – or centre – are still going strong.

One site that has carried on over the years is SoccerLingua, which uses soccer – or football, as the British say – as a support for practicing and intriguing assortment of languages: English, French, Portuguese, Swedish and Turkish.

The document’s 2004 layout and photo quality may leave something to be desired by today’s sharp standards, but the ideas and projects presented continue to inspire. I may never know what happened to JoyFLL, a European project designed to help grandparents and grandchildren learn languages together, but I’m pleased to know it existed.

Betty Carlson

See Also

• Language Translation, Inc.
  A leading language translation and interpretation service provider for more than 20 years.