26 September may seem a long way off - all the way at the other side of the summer holidays. But the European Day of Languages will soon be upon us, and as UK coordinators of the day, we’re encouraging schools and language enthusiasts to start thinking about planning activities to join in the celebrations.

The European Day of Languages is a fantastic opportunity to show students what fun can be had with languages, and to really kick start language learning at the start of term. Whether it’s hosting a French breakfast, organising a multilingual assembly, or linking up with a school in Spain – there are all sorts of ways you can get involved.

We’ve got a range of activity ideas on our website to start you off, or, if you have your own ideas then you could share them on the Council of Europe’s event calendar.  We’ve also got a collection of resources that you can order from our shop, to help you brighten up your classroom for the event. Our resources pack, which includes stickers, posters, balloons, t-shirts and pens, will certainly help you create more of a buzz around the day. You could even hold a languages quiz and give items away as prizes.

And remember, it’s not just schools who can get involved. Businesses across the country will be finding their own ways to celebrate the European Day of Languages, so you should have a think about what type of activities you could plan at work. Maybe a language taster session for staff over lunch, or croissants in the boardroom?

There are now over 45 European countries involved in the festivities, celebrating over 6000 languages spoken all over the world. Make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to join in, and honour the rich and diverse world we are part of.