What is eEuroInclusion?: eEuroInclusion is a European Project funded under a special call for projects relating to ‘Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity’. It is due for completion at the end of this year. Its subtitle is ‘Developing a pan-European Network of Language Resource Centres.for LWULT Languages (LWULT LRCs) The main outcomes should be a European database of LWULT LRCs, a forum for the LRCs to exchange ideas, and (if possible) a formal association of the LRCs

Some definitions: LWULT languages are Less Widely Used and Less Taught Languages. The Project takes its definition of LRCs from the LRC Handbook: –‘we take ‘Language Resource Centre’ to include what may, in different institutions, be referred to as the Language Centre, Self-Access Centre, Self-Access Library, Independent Study Centre, Resource Centre, Teachers’ Centre, Resource Room, Language Library (…)’

Why eEuroInclusion?: English, French, German and Spanish dominate language teaching in Europe. This is a chance to focus on the other languages of Europe The aim is to have partners in every eligible country So eEuroInclusion is about INCLUDING all European languages taught in all European countries.

Limitations: The eligible languages are limited to national languages. This means Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Icelandic, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Letzeburgesch, Lithuanian, Maltese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Swedish, Turkish, not regional languages like Catalan or Welsh. The eligible countries are members of the EEA and EU candidate countries. European countries outside this scope are: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Croatia, Georgia, FYR Macedonia, Russia, Serbia & Montenegro, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine.

What stage has the Project reached?: The forum is already available at forum.eeuroinclusion.org The main web site, is now up and running, although there are still some problems. In addition to courses, it will include news, events, research and job vacancies at LRCs A Conference is being planned for this autumn in Romania to discuss the setting up of an association.

How will the database work and when will CILT be promoting it?: LRCs will be able to register online. They will then be vetted by the national partner before their details are uploaded. Once successfully registered they will be able to update their own record and submit news, etc. Registered LRCs will also be invited to send a delegate to the Conference in Romania. Publicity in the UK began in April.

Who is involved?: There are partners in most European countries. The sponsor partners are: –The EuroEd Foundation, Romania (the co-ordinators) –The Public Service Language Centre, Lithuania –CILT, the National Centre for Languages. All enquiries in the UK should be addressed to Michael Hammond